When to Approach Investors for Self-funded Search Funds?

July 13, 2025
by an member from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
We are an international self-funded search fund about to begin approaching business owners.
Before that, I was wondering - is it beneficial to approach self-funded search investors beforehand for securing soft commitments and begin developing relationships with them or is it much better to directly approach them only after you have at least a few live deals in your hand?
Would to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
from Eastern Oregon University in Salem, OR, USA
from University of Colorado at Boulder in Durango, CO, USA