2026 ETA Conference Information
Explore everything you need to plan your experience at the UC Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Conference. This page provides an overview of session topics, a detailed event schedule, featured panelists and presenters, and a link to register. Discover what to expect and secure your spot to join the conversation.
The UC Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Conference connects entrepreneurs, students, investors, and industry experts to explore ETA. Attendees will gain practical insights, valuable connections, and tools to pursue business acquisition as a path to entrepreneurship. Read through the sessions below and get familiar with the topics and speakers!
This year’s conference was designed to maximize learnings and network collisions for ETA beginners and serial ETA experts alike!
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Morning Sessions - ETA Fundamentals
Our morning sessions are focused on ETA fundamentals for beginners to the ETA pathway. Read more about each session under the schedule.
| Time: | Session: | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Check-In and Breakfast | |
| 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. | The State of ETA | |
| 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | ETA Basics | |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | A. Sourcing Fundamentals | B. Funding The Deal |
| 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | A. Small Business Valuation | B. Finding Deal Flow |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch and Closing | |
Speakers: All CincyETA Members
This keynote introduces the growing field of acquisition entrepreneurship (ETA), highlighting key insights from the Stanford Search Fund Study and the increasing number of retiring business owners, particularly within the Cincinnati region. It examines ETA as a viable and compelling alternative to traditional career paths, while establishing a clear understanding of the scale and urgency of the opportunity and encouraging a shift toward an owner-operator mindset. Attendees will also be provided with key resources, including the Stanford Search Fund Study, the CincyETA webpage, and speaker profiles with contact information.
Speakers: All CincyETA Members
This session provides a practical introduction to the fundamentals of acquisition entrepreneurship (ETA), outlining the primary pathways into the field, including self-funded search, traditional search funds, and independent sponsorship, as well as the typical deal timeline from search to close. Speakers will share their respective approaches and rationale, offering real-world context to each model. The session is designed to ensure participants understand core ETA terminology, key structural differences, and how to evaluate alignment with their personal goals and risk tolerance, while also providing resources such as a one-page overview of ETA categories, recommended readings, and speaker profiles with follow-up information.
Session A: Sourcing Fundamentals — Defining Your Buy Box
Owner: Ed Redden
This hands-on workshop guides participants in defining a preliminary “buy box,” exploring how factors such as industry, deal size, geography, and personal experience shape an effective search strategy. It emphasizes the importance of focus in avoiding inefficiencies and missed opportunities, while helping attendees develop founder–market fit. Participants will leave with a draft investment thesis designed to reduce search drift and sharpen outreach, along with practical resources including real-world examples of buy boxes, industry selection templates, and tools to refine their approach.
Session B: Funding the Deal — Capital Structure & the Capital Stack
Owner: Tom Baker
This session provides a comprehensive overview of how acquisition deals are financed while avoiding excessive leverage, with a focus on understanding the capital stack, the trade-offs between debt and equity, and the implications of capital structure on long-term returns and control. Participants will gain insight into how financing decisions influence risk, cash flow, and personal return on investment, supported by practical resources such as real-world capitalization table examples and sample sources and uses statements.
Session A - Mastering Small Business Valuation
Owner: Katherine Butler-Dines
This analytical workshop examines how small businesses are valued in the lower middle market, with a focus on interpreting financial statements, normalizing EBITDA, evaluating appropriate multiples, and applying sensitivity analysis to assess how pricing impacts risk and returns. Participants will develop the ability to confidently evaluate asking prices and understand the key financial drivers behind valuation decisions, supported by practical tools including a simplified valuation model, example valuation scenarios, and a checklist of key diligence metrics.
Session B: A Tactical Guide to Finding Deal Flow
Owners: Rahul Desai and Joe Brown
Led by Rahul Desai and Joe Brown, this session provides a tactical, tool-driven deep dive into sourcing acquisition opportunities. It compares brokered search with proprietary outreach, examines the tools and systems used by successful searchers, and demonstrates real-world outreach strategies in practice. Participants will learn how to identify sourcing approaches that align with their skills and preferences and how to execute them effectively, supported by practical resources including real examples, recommended tool stacks, and outreach framework templates.
Afternoon Sessions - ETA Advanced Topics
The afternoon sessions are designed for advanced ETA buyers and sellers who are looking to optimize network connections and who are looking for a deep dive on specific ETA topics. Read more about each session below.
| Time | Session Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Check-In and Lunch | |
| 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | ETA Member Keynote | |
| 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | A. Targeting With Precision | B. Bridge the Price Gap |
| 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | A. The first 100 days | B. SBA Loans |
| 3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | A. Leads and Needs | B. Due Dilligence |
| 4:30 p.m. | Reception and Networking | |
Session A: Targeting with Precision
Owner: Tom O’Brian
Other Speakers: Rick Corcoran and Ed Redden
This session builds on the earlier buy-box discussion by examining how targeting strategies should adapt to industry dynamics and seller behavior. It highlights how different buy-box profiles require tailored sourcing and outreach approaches, enabling participants to align their tactics more effectively and improve response rates. Attendees will gain practical insight into buy-box-specific outreach strategies and industry-specific sourcing considerations to enhance the effectiveness of their search.
Session B: How to Bridge the Price Gap
Owner: Eric Hornung
Other Speakers: Aaron Monk, Tim Metzner and Alex Bridgeman
This panel provides a practical overview of common deal structures in small business acquisitions, including asset versus stock transactions, seller financing, earnouts, equity rollovers, and SBA-backed deals. It is designed to build foundational deal-structure literacy, enabling participants to engage more confidently with sellers, lenders, and advisors. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of structuring options and their implications, supported by resources such as a deal structure toolkit and sample sources and uses models.
Sponsored by Kohen & Patton Law LLP
Session A: The First 100 Days from Close to Control
Owner: Lachlan McLean
Other Speakers: Will Smith (TBC)
This session outlines a pragmatic roadmap for the first 100 days following a business acquisition, with a focus on leadership transition, employee communication, establishing an effective operating cadence, and avoiding common early-stage missteps. It prepares participants to build credibility quickly, stabilize operations, and lay a strong foundation for long-term success.
Session B: Navigating SBA 7(a) Lending
Owner: Carlene Oestergaard
Speaker: John Walters
This expert-led session provides a detailed examination of SBA lending, covering eligibility requirements, underwriting standards, timelines, and common pitfalls. It offers insight into what lenders prioritize and how to position yourself as a strong borrower in today’s market. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the SBA process and how to improve their likelihood of securing financing, supported by practical tools such as an SBA readiness checklist and current bankability criteria.
Sponsored by Huntington Bank
Session A: Leads & Needs, a Peer‑Driven Networking Session
Owner: Carlene Oestergaard
This facilitated Needs & Leads session invites participants to share a specific business need, opportunity, or challenge, with fellow attendees offering relevant leads, insights, or introductions in response. The format emphasizes generosity, action, and meaningful connection rather than promotion. Participants will strengthen relationships and leave with actionable next steps, including high-quality leads and direct follow-up connections with peers.
Session B: Due Diligence — Finding the Real Risks
Owner: Peter Ellington
Other Speakers: Rick Flynn
This session provides a candid examination of what constitutes effective diligence in small business acquisitions, focusing on identifying common red flags, distinguishing manageable risks from deal-breakers, and balancing thoroughness with cost efficiency. Participants will develop the pattern recognition needed to evaluate opportunities early and execute a disciplined diligence process, supported by practical guidance on diligence scope, cost expectations, and red-flag indicators across key diligence categories.
Sponsored by UHY Advisors, Inc.
Speakers and Panelists
Carlene Oestergaard
Managing Director at Sunesis Holdings - Construction, Environmental, Development, Containers | Harvard Business School
We are excited to welcome Carlene Østergaard, Managing Director at Sunesis Holdings, to our lineup of speakers. Carlene is a dynamic leader with a strong background in construction, where she is passionate about developing talent, advancing innovation, and driving business growth. Known for her hands-on approach, she actively engages in all aspects of the business—from the office to the job site. Carlene is also a dedicated advocate for women in construction, encouraging the next generation to pursue impactful and rewarding careers in the industry.
Rahul Desai
COO of Affinity Travel Co |Expert-in-Residence at Cintrifuse Capital
We are excited to welcome Rahul to our lineup of speakers. Rahul is COO at travel industry rollup Affinity Travel Co., which acquires luxury group travel businesses. He is also an expert-in-residence at Cintrifuse Capital, where he supports portfolio companies with operations and AI. With a background spanning business operations, strategy consulting, and startup leadership, Rahul brings deep expertise in building and optimizing high-growth organizations.
Alex Burkhart
Alex Burkhart is a serial acquisition entrepreneur, educator, and co-director of the University of Cincinnati’s Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Pathway. He is the owner of Prime Prospects LLC and currently operates Prospect Management Group, an innovative holding company overseeing a portfolio of businesses, including an Amazon Delivery Service operation.
Prior to his entrepreneurial career, Alex gained corporate experience at Procter & Gamble and Macy’s, building a strong foundation in operations and strategy. He is also an exited founder, having successfully led and sold Tixers in 2015. In addition to his operating roles, Alex serves as an adjunct entrepreneurship instructor, where he shares practical insights from his experience acquiring and growing businesses. He holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Xavier University.
Dave Knox
Executive Director @ Blue North | Building SparkHaus | Bridging Fortune 500 + Startups | Author, “Predicting The Turn”
We are excited to welcome Dave Knox to our lineup of speakers. Dave is a leading startup advisor, investor, and entrepreneur known for bridging the gap between Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. He co-founded Procter & Gamble’s digital strategy team and The Brandery, a top U.S. startup accelerator, and has driven significant growth as Chief Marketing Officer of Rockfish. Today, Dave leads Blue North and launched SparkHaus, a $17M entrepreneurial hub, while continuing to advise, invest in, and scale innovative ventures. He is also the author of the bestselling book Predicting the Turn, focused on navigating partnerships between startups and established companies.
Joe Brown
Co-founder of SMB.co
We are excited to welcome Joe Brown to our lineup of speakers. Joe is a serial founder and two-time small business owner with a background in growth marketing and development. He is passionate about building brands, SaaS platforms, and marketplaces that support real communities. Currently, Joe is the founder of SMB.co, a VC-backed platform designed to help people discover and invest in small businesses, strengthening the backbone of Main Street.
Eric Hornung
Director & COO, RKCA
We are excited to welcome Eric Hornung to our lineup of speakers. Eric is the Director and COO at RKCA, where he supports investment strategy and M&A advisory through financial modeling, research, and executive guidance. He began his career at Duff & Phelps, gaining experience in corporate restructuring, litigation support, and emerging areas like cryptocurrency advisory. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Eric is also an active leader in the ETA community, a Cincinnati Business Courier 40 Under 40 honoree, and co-host of the Upside podcast focused on startups beyond Silicon Valley.
Tom O'Brian
We are excited to welcome Tom O’Brian to our lineup of speakers. Tom is the former owner of Acme Lock & Door, a Cincinnati-based company he acquired in 2020 and grew to 70 employees through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Building on a multi-generational legacy, Tom focused on operational excellence and a people-first approach to drive growth and customer satisfaction. He recently partnered with Cobalt to support Acme’s next phase, ensuring the company’s continued success while preserving its strong culture and foundation.
Ed Redden
President & Co-Founder at Evermore Industries
We are excited to welcome Ed Redden to our lineup of speakers. Ed is Co-Founder and President of Evermore Industries, a long-term holding company focused on acquiring and operating businesses with no intention of selling. He leads operations, bringing extensive experience from his time at GE, where he managed manufacturing plants and product lines across the country. Based in Cincinnati, Ed is passionate about preserving founder legacies while driving sustainable growth, and holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he founded the Stanford Search Fund club.
Lachlan McLean
Founder of Grand Valley Holdings
We are excited to welcome Lachlan McLean to our lineup of speakers. Lachlan brings over two decades of experience in finance and investing, with a strong focus on private equity, including buyouts, growth equity, and long-term acquisitions. A fifth-generation Cincinnatian, he has led private investments for a major family office and spent over 15 years at an institutional private equity firm and merchant bank. Lachlan holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and brings deep expertise across industries, investment strategies, and stages of growth.
Peter Ellington
Owner & CEO | Office Furniture Dealer Helping Organizations Plan, Design & Execute High-Impact Workplaces
We are excited to welcome Peter Ellington to our lineup of speakers. Peter is a business owner and workplace strategist who helps organizations make smarter decisions about their environments during periods of growth and change. With a background spanning finance, sales, and office furniture distribution, he brings a practical, results-driven approach to aligning workspace, culture, and operational needs. Through his work at Office Furniture Source, Peter partners with leadership teams to create efficient, flexible workplaces that support both people and performance.
Tom Baker
Senior Vice President at Northcreek Mezzanine Fund
We are excited to welcome Tom Baker to our lineup of speakers. Tom is a Senior Vice President at Northcreek, where he focuses on deal origination, execution, underwriting, and portfolio management. With a background in leveraged finance at Fifth Third Bank, he brings experience across buyouts, acquisitions, and middle-market investments. Tom holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Dayton and offers strong expertise in evaluating and structuring complex transactions.
Katherine Butler-Dines
Katherine Butler-Dines is CEO of Affinity Travel Co, a rollup of luxury travel companies. Under her leadership, ATC has grown 25% yearly since closing its first acquisition in 2024. Previously, she was an Operating Executive at the private equity fund Alpine Investors and an Investment Associate at the fund of funds Stepstone Group. She serves on the ETA Advisory Board at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and is an alumna of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
Rick Flynn
Partner, UHY LLP | Managing Director, UHY Advisors
Rick has over forty years of experience in providing auditing, consulting and tax services to a variety of businesses and organizations. Before joining UHY, Rick founded Flynn & Company, Inc., where he successfully delivered outstanding service to clients within the areas of entrepreneurial services, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and non-profit organizations. Rick managed and grew Flynn & Company, Inc. for 31 years prior to merging it with UHY. He has helped numerous clients buy and sell businesses over the years. Rick is passionate about helping organizations grow and empowering his team to reach their full potential.
Rick Corcoran
Leader, Investor, General Manager & Board Member in the lower middle market | Strategic Philanthropic Board Member | Midwest Transplant
We are excited to welcome Rick to our lineup of speakers. Rick is a seasoned operator, investor, and former management consultant with deep experience across consumer goods, retail, distribution, and business services. At Slate Capital, he focuses on investing in, advising, and often leading portfolio companies through growth and transformation. Known for his analytical mindset and strong emphasis on culture and leadership, Rick is passionate about building great teams and guiding organizations toward long-term success.