Search Starts Here

The Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) curriculum at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management equips students to become owners and operators of enduring businesses by buying rather than building from scratch. Students learn how to source proprietary opportunities, evaluate and acquire small and lower–middle market companies, and lead them into their next chapter of growth using modern management practices and technology—including AI.

ETA is not theoretical. It is a hands-on, practitioner-driven pathway for students who want real responsibility, real ownership, and real impact.

Experiential by Design

ETA at Vanderbilt emphasizes learning by doing and via apprenticeship. Students gain exposure through:

• Live case studies based on real acquisitions
• Guest lectures from operators, searchers, investors, and lenders
• Deal teardowns and investment committee simulations
• Search practicums focused on sourcing and diligence
• Mentorship from experienced ETA practitioners and alumni

Students graduate with practical skills—and a playbook they can execute on day one.

Vanderbilt’s ETA curriculum blends:

• Academic rigor with real-world application
• A relationship-first mindset aligned with proprietary sourcing
• A focus on ethical stewardship and legacy preservation
• A forward-looking emphasis on technology and AI-enabled management

Students don’t just learn how to buy companies. They learn how to honor what exists—and build what’s next.