In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we sit down with JT Fitzgerald, CEO of Kingsway Financial Services—the only U.S. public company embracing the search fund model. JT traces his path from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade to acquiring his first company and ultimately building Kingsway Search Accelerator (KSX), a platform that partners with high-potential operators to acquire and grow small businesses. He explains how Kingsway’s permanent capital structure, tax advantages, and operator “scaffolding” differentiate it within the ETA ecosystem. JT also shares insights on “game selection,” the attributes of successful searchers, and why mentorship and fit are essential for long-term success in ETA.
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In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we sit down with JT Fitzgerald, CEO of Kingsway Financial Services—the only U.S. public company embracing the search fund model. JT traces his path from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade to acquiring his first company and ultimately building Kingsway Search Accelerator (KSX), a platform that partners with high-potential operators to acquire and grow small businesses. He explains how Kingsway’s permanent capital structure, tax advantages, and operator “scaffolding” differentiate it within the ETA ecosystem. JT also shares insights on “game selection,” the attributes of successful searchers, and why mentorship and fit are essential for long-term success in ETA.
The Power of a Business Thesis in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
ETA Insider Podcast
30 minutes 24 seconds
10 months ago
The Power of a Business Thesis in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we speak with Brian Wolfe, who co-led a self-funded ETA search, which he and his partner sold to Alpine Investors, and who now teaches courses on private equity and ETA at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of North Carolina. They discuss Wolfe's transition from being a PE M&A attorney at a leading law firm, and Wolfe’s insights regarding the importance of a business thesis, the criteria for choosing acquisition targets and the evolving ETA landscape. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on navigating the complex and evolving world of ETA and subscale private equity.
ETA Insider Podcast
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we sit down with JT Fitzgerald, CEO of Kingsway Financial Services—the only U.S. public company embracing the search fund model. JT traces his path from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade to acquiring his first company and ultimately building Kingsway Search Accelerator (KSX), a platform that partners with high-potential operators to acquire and grow small businesses. He explains how Kingsway’s permanent capital structure, tax advantages, and operator “scaffolding” differentiate it within the ETA ecosystem. JT also shares insights on “game selection,” the attributes of successful searchers, and why mentorship and fit are essential for long-term success in ETA.
