"The financial analysis module changed how I read business listings. I started noticing what sellers emphasize versus what they quietly mention at the bottom of information memorandums. That awareness helped me avoid two acquisitions I was seriously considering."
Building Your Business Acquisition Knowledge
Buying an existing business takes more than capital. You need to understand what you're really purchasing and why certain acquisitions succeed while others become expensive lessons.
Our autumn 2025 intake opens in September with sessions starting October through November.
What We Actually Cover
Financial Analysis Fundamentals
Learn to read what numbers actually reveal about business health. We show you how to spot adjusted EBITDA tricks and understand what sustainable cash flow really looks like in different industries.
Due Diligence Process
Walk through the investigation process with real examples from Australian acquisitions. You'll see what thorough research uncovers and why skipping steps usually creates problems later.
Valuation Methods
Different businesses require different valuation approaches. We teach you when to use multiples, asset-based methods, or discounted cash flow, and why context matters more than formulas.
Transition Planning
Post-acquisition success depends heavily on how you handle the first ninety days. Learn what to communicate, when to change things, and how to retain key relationships that drive value.
Negotiation Strategies
Understand seller motivations and structure deals that work for both sides. We cover earnouts, vendor financing, and how to navigate emotional sellers who've built businesses over decades.
Sector-Specific Considerations
Buying a manufacturing business differs significantly from acquiring professional services. Each sector has unique risk factors, valuation norms, and operational requirements worth understanding.
How the Program Unfolds
Foundation Month
We start with business fundamentals and financial literacy. Some participants arrive with accounting backgrounds, others don't. Everyone needs the same foundation before we discuss complex acquisition scenarios.
October 2025
Analysis Phase
You'll work with anonymized financials from real businesses that were available for sale. This helps you practice spotting red flags and understanding what drives value in different business models.
November 2025
Deal Structure Studies
We examine actual deal structures and why they were set up certain ways. Understanding earnouts, retention bonuses, and financing arrangements becomes clearer when you see them in context.
December 2025
Integration Planning
Post-acquisition integration determines whether your purchase creates or destroys value. We focus on practical steps that help businesses transition ownership without losing customers or key staff.
January 2026
Who Teaches the Sessions
Our instructors have spent years working with business acquisitions. They've seen deals succeed and watched others fail, and they share both types of experiences.
Reuben Thackery
Acquisition Strategy Lead
Reuben spent fifteen years advising on small to mid-market acquisitions across manufacturing and distribution. He focuses on helping buyers understand operational risks.
Saskia Vermeulen
Financial Analysis Instructor
Saskia previously worked in corporate finance before specializing in business valuations. She teaches participants to read between the lines in financial statements.
Leonie Blackwood
Integration Specialist
Leonie has managed post-acquisition transitions for service businesses and retail operations. Her sessions focus on what actually happens after you sign the papers.
Petra Andersson
Sector Analysis Guide
Petra brings experience from hospitality and professional services acquisitions. She helps buyers understand how different sectors require different evaluation approaches.
What Previous Participants Found Useful
"I appreciated the sector-specific sessions most. Understanding why hospitality businesses get valued differently than trades businesses seems obvious afterward, but I didn't know those distinctions existed. The program saved me from applying inappropriate valuation methods."
Applications Open for Autumn 2025
Our next intake begins in October with limited spaces available. If you're seriously considering business acquisition, this program provides practical knowledge that applies directly to your decision-making process.
Learn More About Enrollment