Certification in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)

Turn your entrepreneurial ambition into a concrete business acquisition project.

Length 8 days

Rate 5,000 $

Language French

Format In-Person

Upcoming date(s)

This certification in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) prepares experienced professionals to identify, assess, finance, acquire, lead and scale high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Beyond the transactional aspects of ownership transfer, the program builds the ability to identify and measure an SME’s potential for growth and impact, as well as to successfully transition into the role of leader.

Financials Partners:

Partners network:

An initiative by:

The successful completion of this program entitles you to a digital certificate. These credentials are trusted, secure, verifiable, and sustainable.

GOALS

Clarify your acquisition project, your approach as an acquirer and its alignment with the different forms of ETA
Identify SMEs with high potential for growth and impact
Adapt your approach to an environment reshaped by AI and geopolitical issues
Negotiate and earn partners’ trust through an appropriate governance structure
Structure sophisticated financing arrangements (search funds, debt and equity)
Lead, engage and grow the acquired SME

IS THIS FOR YOU?

This certification is designed for experienced managers, executives and entrepreneurs who want to acquire a high-potential SME and lead it. It is suitable for external, internal or family succession.

SELECTION PROCESS

November 2-20: application submission
Late November: interviews
Early December: decisions are announced

As the program is limited to 30 participants and is intended for managers with proven experience in team and budget management, a selection process is used to ensure the relevance of each cohort and to maximize the value of participant exchanges.

SPECIAL FEATURES

An ETA approach inspired by top international university programs and adapted to the realities of Quebec SMEs
Action-based learning: concrete deliverables at every stage, simulations, case studies, bootcamps and pitches before investors
An entrepreneurial approach to business acquisition that defines success beyond the transaction
Networking across the R+ ecosystem: exchanges with seasoned faculty, experienced acquirers, sellers-successors and knowledgeable investors
SME focus: tools tailored to relationships with sellers-successors, post-acquisition transition and the realities of established businesses

SKILLS DEVELOPED IN THIS COURSE

Corporate Governance
Innovation Management
Financial Analysis
Negociation
Change Management
Strategic Leadership

MODULE 1 – Prepare to Become an Acquirer and Choose Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)

This first module demystifies ETA and its ecosystem while helping participants better understand themselves as acquirers:

Become a searcher
ETA: its distinctive characteristics and key players
Acquisition thesis and target market
Clarify your approach
Demystify the search and sourcing process
Take risks and make decisions under uncertainty

MODULE 2 – Understand the Target and Prepare the Financing

Financing models
SME analysis
Strategic due diligence

MODULE 3 – Assess an SME’s Potential

Assess an organization’s capacity for transformation
Understand and evolve the business model to create value
Improve social and environmental impact
Drive growth through international expansion beyond the United States
Integrate responsible AI
Assess value and impact creation

MODULE 4 – Prospect and Acquire

Understand sellers-successors
Targeting and sourcing companies to acquire
Due diligence
Negotiation
Letter of intent

MODULE 5 – Successfully Take the Helm

Post-acquisition leadership
Legitimacy
Governance
100-day plan
Measuring economic performance and impact

TRAINING APPROACH

This certification’s learning methods are designed to allow you to maintain your current employment while ensuring optimal cohort and learning dynamics.

4 intensive, in-person two-day seminars for an immersive acquisition entrepreneurship experience (one per month, on Fridays and Saturdays)
10 evening online sessions to continue learning and maintain momentum (once a week)
Analytical frameworks
Case studies and testimonials
Experiential bootcamps and simulations
Networking and exchanges among participants and experts