Search Fund & Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Coaching

TLDR: Started self-funded search fund in 2023, acquired business 8 months later, have been successfully scaling it ever since. After being the CEO for two private equity backed companies, I wanted to branch out on my own and control more of the pie. I found that constraints from the PE model sometimes negatively influenced business decisions and I wanted to have more control over how to improve and scale a business (not to mention the capital structure). Six months after beginning my search, I submitted the LOI for the business I ultimately closed on two months later. I've been running that business since June of 2024 and we've been growing it nicely while paying down debt. I explored both traditional and self-funded search and completed diligence across a wide range of industries. I've looked at proprietary and brokered deals, received compelling financing terms from lenders and equity investors alike, and have gone through the full ETA cycle. I'm a regular speaker at SMBootCamp and have robust experience with M&A from my previous investment banking and private equity experience. I feel lucky to be doing what I'm doing right now and would love to help others achieve their goals within the Search Fund/ETA space.

With over 20 years of experience in finance and strategic advisory, I bring deep expertise to the search fund and entrepreneurial space. In 2008, I personally bought and sold a company, giving me a firsthand perspective on the challenges and rewards of acquisition entrepreneurship. Today, I lead the Transaction Advisory Services practice at Amplēo, where I’ve guided clients through 100+ M&A transactions and helped raise more than $2 billion in capital. My background as a CFO for multiple companies (and taking them through successful transactions) has equipped me to develop and execute growth strategies that drive real results. Beyond technical expertise, I’m passionate about mentoring searchers and entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the complexities of the search journey with confidence and clarity. If you’re pursuing a search fund or exploring acquisition entrepreneurship, I’d love to support you in building your roadmap, avoiding common pitfalls, and achieving your business goals. Let’s connect and discuss how I can help you succeed.

In Septembe 2023, I acquired FileOnQ, a GovTech software company. The acquisition was the culmination of a 9-month traditional search. Some of the business characteristics: 1) Strong revenue quality & sticky customer base 2) Great reputation with a 30 yr track record For the past two years, I have been the CEO of FileOnQ.

Hi, my name is Anna and I am excited to get to know you! A bit about me -- I completed a nine-month self-funded search across multiple industries before entering into a multi-unit area development agreement with a national franchise. I have a Harvard MBA and training from the leading professors in ETA. I’m deeply active in the search fund community and I look forward to being your thought partner at any stage of your search journey -- from learning more about the model, to weighing the pros/cons of funded vs. self-funded to ideating during the thesis process, reviewing/providing guidance on PPM creation (if funded), discussing search strategy (proprietary vs. opportunistic), and everything in between!

I have experience structuring a self-funded search, evaluating deals, conducting due diligence, working with sellers, and modeling post-transaction financials. I can help those who are considering this path, are mid-search, or are in the final innings of a deal. In 2022, as an MBA student at Yale School of Management, I took three courses on ETA and wrote two papers with A.J. Wasserstein, Pioneer in the world of Search and ETA. I fell in love with the model and determined that I needed to find a way to do this for my career. Following my MBA, I interned at a Traditional Search fund investor for the summer and learned a great deal about what investors look for in Searchers. Following a two-year stint in Management Consulting, I decided to pursue a self-funded search in my home state of Utah. After 6 months of full-time search, I found a small company at which I was hired with the intention to acquire the company (Acqui-hire) and which I will close by late Summer 2025.

I bring both personal and academic experience to coaching in the Search Fund and ETA space. I founded and raised a traditional search fund outside the US, securing commitments from investors across America, Spain, and the rest of the world. The fund was 100% oversubscribed in just three months, after which I led the sourcing process, acquired, and now operate an SME. My MBA at Kellogg gave me deep exposure to the US ETA ecosystem—through coursework, the Zell Fellows program, and peer collaboration—so I understand both US and international dynamics. Beyond my own journey, I’ve had first-hand exposure to self-funded search, as my wife successfully raised and acquired through that model. I also authored a paper on raising search capital, distilling insights on investor expectations and best practices for first-time searchers. This combination—traditional + self-funded perspective, US + international experience, operator + investor view—gives me a unique platform to help aspiring searchers navigate ETA with clarity and confidence. How I Can Help You: i) Deciding whether to raise a Search Fund ii) Raising capital & preparing materials iii) Designing an efficient search strategy & process iv) Evaluating opportunities v) Negotiating a deal vi) Closing a deal & bridging the equity gap vii) Navigating the first 100 days as CEO viii) Long-term strategy & operation Whether you’re still debating if ETA is right for you or already deep into the journey, I can serve as a sounding board and guide at each stage. Coaching is my way of sharing the lessons I’ve learned so you can focus on building a company that becomes a part of you.

I help aspiring entrepreneurs successfully navigate the Search Fund and ETA journey — from refining your thesis and sourcing high-quality deals to raising capital, running diligence, and closing with confidence. Whether you're pursuing a traditional or self-funded path, I coach searchers on how to evaluate businesses, craft investor-ready materials, and execute like an operator-in-waiting. As the Founder of Zeus Global, I’ve lived the path firsthand — launching a PE platform, sourcing proprietary deals, and leading end-to-end M&A processes across vertical SaaS and tech-enabled services. I’ve raised capital from family offices, PE firms, and strategic partners while managing every stage of the transaction, including modeling, legal structuring, and post-close value creation. My earlier experience includes investing roles at LeapFrog Investments, the Africa Finance Corporation, and a $5B family office. I hold an MBA from Stanford GSB. I’ve coached first-time searchers, career switchers, and non-traditional candidates — with a particular focus on helping them develop conviction, tell a differentiated story, and build trust with capital partners.

Chase Murdock is a long-time entrepreneur and operator who’s lived every stage of the ETA journey — from raising capital, sourcing deals, and closing acquisitions to running multiple companies under a diversified holding company model. As CEO of Decada Group, he leads a permanent holding company that acquires, grows, and stewards small businesses for the long haul. Chase and his team have diligenced more than 100 businesses, acquired five companies, and started three. Today, Decada operates a diverse collection of six businesses spanning fractional CFO and accounting, the electrical trades, luxury retail, an art school, and a membership-based business community. At Decada Group, Chase’s role centers on evaluating acquisitions, leading diligence, and advising the CEOs who run Decada’s portfolio companies. His focus is on being the slowest heartbeat in the room — helping leaders navigate the post-acquisition J-curve, identify leverage points, and build durable, successful companies. Through Durable, Chase acts as a CEO coach and advisor, working with dozens of searchers and operators building real businesses — helping them think like owners, navigate deals, and grow into capable, long-term leaders. He also sits on the boards of multiple searcher-led companies, grounding his coaching in lived experience, not theory. If you’re serious about acquiring a great company, becoming a capable operator, and using ETA to build a purposeful life — Chase can help you get there.

I started my first company at age twenty-three. I now have five companies I know a MILLION ways not to do things. Check our my kingdom at queenofwraps.com

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in leadership roles across various industries, I bring a wealth of knowledge to aspiring search fund entrepreneurs. As a former Searcher, now CEO and Search Fund Investor, I have successfully navigated the complexities of acquiring and managing a company, backed by a group of Italian and international investors. My journey involved screening over 400 manufacturing companies and negotiating multiple deals, providing me with firsthand insights into the search fund process. I have coached 30+ searchers, helping them refine their strategies and achieve their entrepreneurial goals. If you're looking to embark on your search fund journey, let's connect and craft a tailored plan for your success!