Seeking Advice: Online Business Acquisition, Mentorship Programs & Capital Access

Hi everyone, I’ve been actively searching for an online business to acquire—primarily in the e-commerce and Amazon FBA space—for the past 4–5 months. During this journey, I’ve come across several programs like Action Academy and Acquisition Lab that offer structured roadmaps, mentorship, and access to capital networks. I’ve seriously considered joining one of them, but before making a significant financial commitment, I wanted to turn to this community. I recently discovered Searchfunder and was impressed by the resources, transparency, and support available here—many of which mirror what those paid programs offer, but without the steep upfront cost. I’d love to hear from anyone who has: • Participated in programs like Action Academy, Acquisition Lab, or similar • Self-funded or partnered on an online business acquisition • Advice on how to gain hands-on experience and build credibility in this space • Tips for connecting with capital partners as an operator bringing sweat equity to the table My goal is to acquire and operate a profitable online business, and I’m open to partnerships, mentorship, or just learning from those further down the path. Thanks in advance for any insights or connections you’re willing to share! — Cole Ferguson Raleigh–Wilmington, NC | Focus: E-commerce / Amazon FBA | Operator-led acquisition