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From Search to CEO: Mastering the ETA Journey

From Search to CEO: Mastering the ETA Journey

Offered by Deji A.

5.0

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Investor Helping Searchers Go From Thesis to Close | Stanford GSB

Stanford Graduate School of Business Logo

Studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Zeus Global Logo

Works at Zeus Global

Description

The Search Fund Coaching package is designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to pursue the ETA path and take ownership of a business. This package offers comprehensive guidance to help you confidently move through every stage of the journey, from shaping your strategy to stepping into the CEO role post-acquisition. Key components of this package can include, but aren't limited to: • Clarify your goals, strengths, and areas for development to ensure you’re prepared for the ETA process. • Compare self-funded, traditional, and incubated approaches to determine the structure that best fits your vision. • Build a differentiated investment thesis and map industries that align with your skills and investor appetite. • Develop polished materials, refine your narrative, and learn effective tactics for securing investor commitments. • Establish a repeatable sourcing engine, including outreach strategies, broker relationships, and deal tracking systems. • Use structured criteria to screen targets quickly and dig deeper into the most promising opportunities. • Learn strategies for structuring offers and managing seller dynamics to reach favorable terms. • Apply a disciplined process to uncover risks across financial, legal, and operational dimensions. • Prepare for the first 100 days post-close, focusing on culture-building, strategy execution, and team management. • Access ongoing mentorship to adjust your strategy, solve challenges, and maximize value creation as an operator. By the end of this package, you’ll walk away with a comprehensive ETA playbook, a refined strategy tailored to your profile, and the confidence to lead a successful acquisition and transition into the CEO seat.


What you'll get from this package

Customized ETA Roadmap – Tailored plan based on your goals, readiness, and fit across ETA models

Investor & Fundraising Playbook – Guidance on crafting your pitch, building relationships, and raising capital

Evaluation & Diligence Frameworks – Tools to analyze targets, run valuations, and conduct disciplined due diligence

Acquisition & Negotiation Support – Strategies for structuring offers, managing terms, and closing deals

CEO Transition Plan – Practical guidance for stepping into leadership and creating value post-close


Additional details

Coaching delivered via live sessions and .

Refund Policy

Services included:

Due Diligence

Investment Analysis

Industry & Company Targeting

Thesis Development

Process Roadmap

Operational Strategy & Support

Board & Investor Management

Funding Strategy

Investor Selection

Deal Sourcing


Deji A.

Offered by Deji A.

Joined July 2025

5.0

Investor Helping Searchers Go From Thesis to Close | Stanford GSB

I help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the Search Fund and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition journey with the perspective of an active investor and acquisition entrepreneur. I work with searchers on defining an investment thesis, identifying attractive businesses, developing a sourcing strategy, evaluating opportunities, building financial models, conducting diligence, preparing investor materials, raising capital, structuring transactions, and thinking through post-close value creation. Whether you are pursuing a traditional search fund, self-funded search, or independent sponsor path, my focus is helping you develop the judgment and execution discipline required to move from “I want to buy a business” to a credible acquisition strategy. I’m the Founder and Managing Partner of Zeus Global, where I source, underwrite, diligence, structure, finance, and pursue acquisitions of software and technology-enabled businesses. My experience includes evaluating founder-owned companies, managing end-to-end M&A processes, raising capital from institutional and family-office investors, negotiating transaction structures, and developing post-close value-creation plans. Previously, I held investing roles at LeapFrog Investments, the Africa Finance Corporation, and a $5B family office. I earned my MBA from Stanford GSB. I am particularly well suited to first-time searchers, career switchers, and non-traditional candidates who need to build conviction around what to buy, articulate a differentiated investment thesis, and establish credibility with sellers and capital partners.

Experience level: Executive

10+ people coached for Search Fund & ETA

$10,837.50

30h of coaching