Babson Executive Education
Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Babson Academy
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)
Unlock a clear, practical path to buying and operating a small business. In this two-day, in-person intensive at the Babson Miami campus, Babson College faculty member John Hallal, a proven deal professional and an experienced investor, will guide you through an end-to-end Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) framework including sourcing, screening, valuation, offer terms, and early post-close priorities. You will work on cases interact with ETA professionals, and leave with ready-to-use tools and frameworks to drive your search.
From assessing your readiness and building a targeted deal funnel to practicing seller outreach and financial diligence, you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience, unlocking the confidence to execute a successful small-business acquisition. The program also covers offer and deal documentation and closing processes and strategies. With real-world operator insights and interactive sessions, this is your road map to becoming a savvy, prepared searcher. You will also take part in a live Q&A with an active Small Business Administration (SBA) lender and a live searcher–operator.
- Gauge your readiness for a search, using a self-assessment to highlight strengths and identify challenges to address before and during your search
- Learn how to build a targeted deal funnel and filter with clear “no-go” triggers
- Simulate seller calls and start to develop a seller-readiness checklist
- Learn the roles, processes, and mechanics that drive QoE, SDE normalization, and working-capital diagnostics
- Gain an understanding of how to value a small business
- Structure credit-ready small business acquisitions, including SBA 7(a) essentials (eligibility, equity investment, seller note/standby), debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) expectations, and avoid common deal-killers
- Define stock vs. asset structures, representations and warranties, indemnities, and escrows/holdbacks
- Explore key operational post-closing priorities as the new CEO
- All pre-program and program materials
- Daily light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
Please note: Travel and personal expenses are not included.
- Recognition and Credentialing: A program certificate that serves as verifiable proof of learning and achievement, which can be displayed on platforms such as LinkedIn and included on your resume and portfolio.
- Course Content and Learning Outcomes: You gain industry-relevant knowledge, practical skills, and frameworks for engaging in ETA.
- Expert Instruction: Experienced faculty, industry leaders, and professionals with real-world expertise teach our courses.
- Networking Opportunities: You gain access to a network of peers, alumni, and industry professionals.
Upon completion of this program, you will earn a digital certificate.
What you need to know
Course Structure
Cost & Program Discounts
Course Leaders
John Hallal
Adjunct Lecturer of Entrepreneurship
Adjunct Lecturer John Hallal has a track record of success in entrepreneurship, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and in operating and advising emerging growth companies. Through his company, Network Blue, Hallal advises middle market companies in various forms of M&A transactions. As an adjunct lecturer at Babson College’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, he teaches M&A for Entrepreneurs, serves as a Mentor in Babson’s Launch Pad, and more.
Related Courses
Featured Program
Featured Course
Business Analytics for Managers: Leading with Data
Recognize, interpret, and summarize data to drive smarter decisions. Using examples from your daily work, this data analytics for managers certificate program prepares you to analyze data, draw meaningful conclusions about the data, and clearly communicate those findings in a business setting. Whether you’re refreshing existing skills or building new ones, you will be equipped to add strategic value to your business.
Cost: $990.00
Format: Blended
Learn More & Register
Featured Course
Entrepreneurial Leadership and Influence
Lead with influence to spark meaningful organizational change. Whether you are leading a team, a project, or an entire organization, your ability to inspire, motivate, and collaborate is essential to driving action toward innovation.
This highly interactive experiential certificate program provides you with a toolkit of influence strategies and the skills to apply them with authenticity and purpose. Through peer coaching and a personalized leadership assessment, you will refine your influential leadership style and build the confidence to lead with clarity and conviction. You also will discover new, effective ways to articulate your ideas, earn trust, and gain buy-in across all levels of your organization—empowering you to inspire meaningful change and drive results.
Cost: $5,850.00
Format: In-Person
Learn More & Register
Featured Course
Entrepreneurial Leadership Essentials
Solve complex challenges and navigate uncertainty with confidence while building your entrepreneurial leadership foundation. At Babson, entrepreneurial leadership is both a mindset and a skill set. Through this interactive program, you will learn both. Gain proven strategies and techniques for encouraging collaboration, innovation, and creativity in diverse workplaces.
By the end of the program, you will feel empowered to act, embrace ambiguity, and create value in any setting, industry, or role.
Cost: $1,260.00
Format: Live Online
Learn More & Register
Featured Course
Your Business and Its Value
Dive into the capital funding options available to you as a growth-seeking startup. In this self-directed course, you will break down each funding option by the numbers, demonstrating their potential impact on your business. Plus, you will learn how to take an investor’s point of view, specifically exploring how they might value your company and perceive your risk.
Cost: $300.00
Format: Babson On-Demand™
Learn More & Register
Looking for Custom Programs for your team? Click here to view our suite of Custom offerings.