2025 Conference Schedule
The event will be held in-person at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, Virginia. There will not be a virtual or recorded option for the conference.
Friday, 5 September 2025
3:30 pm: Registration
4:00 pm: Welcome and Keynote
Abbott Auditorium
4:50 pm: ETA Spotlight
Abbott Auditorium
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Reception
The Forum Hotel
Join fellow attendees, speakers, and panelists for a networking reception to kick off the conference.
7:00 pm: Additional Networking Events, by Invitation
Saturday, 6 September 2025
8:15 am: Registration + Breakfast
PepsiCo Forum and South Lounge
8:45 am: Opening Comments + Keynote
Abbott Auditorium
9:30 am: Panel Session: Hot Topics in ETA
Stay ahead of the curve with a discussion of the most pressing issues shaping the ETA landscape today. This session brings together operators, investors, and academics to explore trends such as evolving deal structures, challenges between searchers and investors, rising acquisition failure rates, and the impact of technology. Expect candid insights, debate, and a forward-looking lens on what’s next in ETA.
Abbott Auditorium
10:30 am: Networking Break
South Lounge
11:00 am: Morning Breakout Sessions
MBA Classrooms
You Bought a Business... Now What?
Acquiring a company is only the beginning. This session dives into the critical first 100 days and beyond—covering everything from building trust with employees and customers to setting strategic priorities and navigating early surprises. Hear from operators who’ve been in the trenches and emerged stronger, sharing real stories and hard-won lessons from the transition from buyer to CEO.
Selecting the Best Search Method for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to ETA. This session breaks down the pros, cons, and key considerations behind the three dominant search models: self-funded, traditional, and single sponsor or accelerator-backed. Hear directly from searchers who’ve taken each route, as well as capital providers and advisors who understand the trade-offs. Whether you're exploring your options or refining your strategy, this session will help you align your approach with your goals, risk tolerance, and long-term vision.
Selecting & Working with Investors & Advisors
Your cap table and counsel can make or break your ETA journey. This session explores how to thoughtfully select equity partners, lenders, and advisors who align with your values and vision. Learn how to structure productive relationships, manage expectations, and avoid common pitfalls—from term sheet to boardroom. Featuring perspectives from operators, investors, and legal/financial experts, this conversation is essential for anyone assembling their deal team.
What You Can Do During Your MBA
Your time in business school is one of the most strategic phases of your ETA journey—if you use it wisely. This session features recent MBA graduates who successfully transitioned into search and acquisition. They’ll share how they evaluated the ETA path, built relationships with investors, prepped for fundraising, and positioned themselves for a strong launch post-graduation. Designed for current students, this session is all about actionable steps and smart prioritization while still on campus.
Let's Get Tactical
When it comes to closing a deal, details matter. This session brings together the deal-side professionals who support searchers every step of the way—covering financial due diligence, quality of earnings, debt financing, legal structuring, and more. Learn what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to build the right bench to get your deal across the finish line. If you're preparing to search or in the thick of a transaction, this is your tactical deep dive.
Leading a SMB
What does it really take to lead a small or medium-sized business? This session features a diverse lineup of investors, operators, and business leaders who are navigating life beyond the acquisition—whether as CEOs, COOs, Chiefs of Staff, or franchise owners. Spanning multiple industries and ownership models, the conversation will highlight the opportunities, challenges, and day-to-day realities of running a business in the ETA ecosystem. For those thinking beyond the search, this session offers an unfiltered look at what comes next.
12:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: Afternoon Breakout Sessions
MBA Classrooms
You Bought a Business... Now What?
Acquiring a company is only the beginning. This session dives into the critical first 100 days and beyond—covering everything from building trust with employees and customers to setting strategic priorities and navigating early surprises. Hear from operators who’ve been in the trenches and emerged stronger, sharing real stories and hard-won lessons from the transition from buyer to CEO.
Selecting the Best Search Method for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to ETA. This session breaks down the pros, cons, and key considerations behind the three dominant search models: self-funded, traditional, and single sponsor or accelerator-backed. Hear directly from searchers who’ve taken each route, as well as capital providers and advisors who understand the trade-offs. Whether you're exploring your options or refining your strategy, this session will help you align your approach with your goals, risk tolerance, and long-term vision.
Selecting & Working with Investors & Advisors
Your cap table and counsel can make or break your ETA journey. This session explores how to thoughtfully select equity partners, lenders, and advisors who align with your values and vision. Learn how to structure productive relationships, manage expectations, and avoid common pitfalls—from term sheet to boardroom. Featuring perspectives from operators, investors, and legal/financial experts, this conversation is essential for anyone assembling their deal team.
What You Can Do During Your MBA
Your time in business school is one of the most strategic phases of your ETA journey—if you use it wisely. This session features recent MBA graduates who successfully transitioned into search and acquisition. They’ll share how they evaluated the ETA path, built relationships with investors, prepped for fundraising, and positioned themselves for a strong launch post-graduation. Designed for current students, this session is all about actionable steps and smart prioritization while still on campus.
Let's Get Tactical
When it comes to closing a deal, details matter. This session brings together the deal-side professionals who support searchers every step of the way—covering financial due diligence, quality of earnings, debt financing, legal structuring, and more. Learn what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to build the right bench to get your deal across the finish line. If you're preparing to search or in the thick of a transaction, this is your tactical deep dive.
Leading a SMB
What does it really take to lead a small or medium-sized business? This session features a diverse lineup of investors, operators, and business leaders who are navigating life beyond the acquisition—whether as CEOs, COOs, Chiefs of Staff, or franchise owners. Spanning multiple industries and ownership models, the conversation will highlight the opportunities, challenges, and day-to-day realities of running a business in the ETA ecosystem. For those thinking beyond the search, this session offers an unfiltered look at what comes next.
2:00 pm: Spotlight Session
Abbott Auditorium
2:45 pm: Closing Session
Abbott Auditorium
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Networking Reception
South Lounge and Flagler Court
*Schedule details subject to change