IESE vs Stanford: Two 2026 Search Fund Studies Side by Side
Stanford and IESE 2026 search fund studies disagree on acquisition rates and returns, but agree on what matters: speed to a first LOI and a second searcher.
Your First Alternative Investment: Free Guide to SMB Investing
Your First Alternative Investment
A clear, jargon-free guide to investing in small business acquisitions — starting at $50K
How It Works
1
Learn the Model
Understand how search funds acquire and operate real, cash-flowing businesses — no venture roulette required.
2
Choose Your Entry Point
Co-invest alongside experienced operators with checks as low as $50K. No need to buy a whole company.
3
Build Your Portfolio
Diversify across 10-20 deals over time. Each investment is a real business generating real cash flow.
4
Earn Returns
Receive distributions from operating businesses. Historical returns: 35% IRR across 681 funds since 1984.
1
Learn the Model
Understand how search funds acquire and operate real, cash-flowing businesses — no venture roulette required.
2
Choose Your Entry Point
Co-invest alongside experienced operators with checks as low as $50K. No need to buy a whole company.
3
Build Your Portfolio
Diversify across 10-20 deals over time. Each investment is a real business generating real cash flow.
4
Earn Returns
Receive distributions from operating businesses. Historical returns: 35% IRR across 681 funds since 1984.
Why Smart Investors Are Moving Into SMB
Real Cash Flow
Unlike venture or crypto, SMB investments generate actual distributions from day one.
Tangible Assets
You're investing in real businesses with real customers, real revenue, and real employees.
Accessible Minimums
Start with $50K co-invest checks. No $1M+ commitments or 10-year lockups required.
Operator-Led
Professional operators run the business. You invest, they execute. True passive income.
“I was tired of watching my portfolio swing with the S&P. My first SMB co-invest started paying quarterly distributions within 6 months.
Common Questions
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