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Perspectives and knowledge for ambitious people on their path to entrepreneurship.

The First 100 Days as CEO – Starting Successfully After a Business Acquisition
Article

The First 100 Days as CEO – Starting Successfully After a Business Acquisition

The first 100 days as CEO are decisive for long-term success following a business acquisition. This phase is where you set the course for your leadership role, build trust, and lay the foundation for sustainable growth. Mistakes made during this sensitive period are difficult to correct later on. This article provides a strategic roadmap for a successful start — covering everything from handover planning and team communication to building trust with stakeholders, achieving quick wins, and developing an integration roadmap.

What Does Buying a Business Really Cost? A Practical Cost Overview
Article

What Does Buying a Business Really Cost? A Practical Cost Overview

Acquiring an existing business is widely regarded as one of the most effective routes to self-employment – yet many prospective buyers underestimate the true costs involved. Beyond the purchase price, factors such as equity, debt financing, investor participation, public funding, and advisory and ancillary costs all play a central role. This article provides a realistic overview of the key cost components and financing models – including public grants and investor capital – and uses a practical example to illustrate what a typical budget framework looks like when acquiring an SME.

Search Strategies and Market Approach – How to Find Your Target Company
Article

Search Strategies and Market Approach – How to Find Your Target Company

Finding the right business to acquire is the central, strategic lever for long-term success as an entrepreneur. Experience – and international studies in particular – show that the best deals are rarely visible at first glance. Those who approach the search systematically and with a clear plan gain a decisive competitive advantage and increase their chances of finding a business that aligns with their own competencies, values, and goals. In this blog article, we present the most important search channels and how to use them strategically.

Which Industries Are Suited for Business Acquisitions? A Strategic Analysis
Article

Which Industries Are Suited for Business Acquisitions? A Strategic Analysis

Choosing the right industry is one of the most important strategic levers when acquiring a business. It influences not only the return potential, but also the risks, the competitive landscape, and your personal satisfaction as an entrepreneur. In this article, we analyse the key selection criteria, highlight the most promising industries for buyers in the DACH region, caution against typical "hype markets", and explain why personal fit ultimately determines long-term success.

The Optimal Deal Structure for Business Acquisitions – Earn-Out, Vendor Loans & More
Article

The Optimal Deal Structure for Business Acquisitions – Earn-Out, Vendor Loans & More

The structure of a business acquisition is often just as critical to its success as the purchase price itself. Whether you are acquiring a business for the first time or already have experience under your belt – the right combination of payment models, financing instruments, and performance-related components reduces risk, optimises cash flow, and aligns the interests of buyer and seller. This article provides an overview of the most common deal structures – such as earn-outs and vendor loans – explains their respective advantages and disadvantages, outlines what banks will accept, and analyses the implications for risk, liquidity, and control.