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Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Search starts here.

Vanderbilt's ETA curriculum equips students to become owners and operators of enduring businesses by buying rather than building from scratch. Real responsibility. Real ownership. Real impact.

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ETA boardroom discussion
PEOPLE
BUSINESSES
COMMUNITIES
THRIVE

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Real businesses. Real experience.

PRACTITIONER-DRIVEN

Operators, investors and alumni.

A STRONGER TOMORROW

Preserving businesses. Strengthening communities.

Vanderbilt campus tower

Why ETA at Vanderbilt

Real businesses. A real difference.

We blend academic rigor with real-world application, giving students the frameworks, relationships, and hands-on experience to confidently pursue and operate acquired businesses.

Preserve what works

Access through trust, networks, and long-term relationships.

Learn from doers

Practitioners, investors, and alumni share real-world insights.

Build for lasting impact

Create jobs, strengthen communities, and carry forward legacies.

Thrive beyond graduation

Practical skills and lifelong relationships to support your journey.

Core learning components

From Search to Stewardship
Proprietary Deal Sourcing

Proprietary Deal Sourcing

  • Relationship-driven sourcing
  • Owner psychology
  • Outreach and credibility-building
  • Brokers and off-market channels
Due Diligence and Valuation

Due Diligence & Valuation

  • Financial analysis
  • Market diligence
  • Operational and customer concentration risk
  • Valuation frameworks
Deal Structuring and Finance

Deal Structuring & Finance

  • Equity, debt and seller financing
  • Search fund and independent sponsor models
  • Legal considerations
  • Negotiation and closing
Transition and Leadership

Transition and Leadership

  • CEO mindset
  • Founder transitions
  • Governance
  • Culture and trust-building

Real perspectives. Practical insights.

Past Guest Speakers

Dru Heinz

Dru Heinz

ArborOne

Grant Todd

Grant Todd

Dragonfly Pond Works

Yaz Yildez

Yaz Yildez

Dune Peak Partners

Michael LeGrand

Michael LeGrand

Alpine Street

Jay Davis

Jay Davis

The Nashton Company

Jim Vesterman

Jim Vesterman

Raptor Technologies

Experience. Perspective. Impact.

Meet the team

Contact the team →
George Malone

George Malone

Partner, Hadley Capital

Baxter Webb

Baxter Webb

Director, C4E

A front door for
what's next.

The Center for Entrepreneurship is the front door for Vanderbilt students and alumni to build a company of consequence — whether by starting or owning one.

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