Self-Funded

Search fund Resources

Search-Fund-Resources

Live Oak’s search fund lending team is solely focused on helping self-funded search funders access capital to acquire businesses. With over three decades of experience and industry connections, Live Oak Bank’s Search Fund lending team understands the challenges that searchers face. We are dedicated to helping search funders through education and financing and have created a robust set of resources to help along the way. Download our free resources now:

Search Fund SBA

Financing FAQ

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We have created a robust set of resources for searchers, including this FAQ with over fifty of the questions we get most from searchers.

15 Time Killers in
SMB Search

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Through our years of experience, we have seen trends in what is likely to eat up your very precious time in a search and potentially kill a deal.

Equity in SBA Loans

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How does it work when you have minority equity investors in your SBA loan and what is allowed? What are the SBA guardrails? Do any new SBA SOPs impact investors' thinking about providing gap equity? What are the legal implications, and where does your attorney come into play? Our panel walks through these critical topics and more.

Searcher to
CEO Guide

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Industry experts from the search fund lending community share their insights and experience around transitioning from searcher to CEO.

Partial Change of Ownership Overview

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With the SBA Partial Change of Ownership Program, loan proceeds can fund a partial ownership change of an existing business with a 10-year SBA 7(a) loan with as little as no money down. Check out this overview for key details and examples of how the program can be used. 

Voice of the Customer

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The Voice of the Customer study, powered by Barlow Research Associates, delivers customer sentiment insights, industry benchmarks and candid advice to help small business owners define challenges and opportunities. The reports are based on survey results from Live Oak Bank loan and deposit customers and incorporate actionable feedback from peers. 

SEARCH FUND RESOURCE VIDEOS

Check out our search fund videos for in-depth interviews with searchers, CEOs and search fund experts.

WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS EVERY WEDNESDAY

This weekly meeting is for self-funded searchers. We will walk you through the entire financing process and explain how we pre-screen deals prior to LOI. You will also be able to ask questions and benefit from hearing the questions of other searchers.

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VETERAN RESOURCES

Check out our resources tailored specifically to veterans interested in entrepreneurship through acquisition.

2nd Annual Veteran Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Symposium

The 2nd annual Veteran Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (VetsETA'23) symposium to bridge America’s Veterans to small business ownership. VetsETA'23 featured successful veteran sellers and buyers, highlighted war stories and lessons learned; discussed available financing sources; the challenges of accessing that capital; policy plans to boost capital access and grow a national network.

The Silver Tsunami Provides Ample Opportunity For Veterans

The Silver Tsunami has created untapped potential for America’s veterans to own a business.

A Primer on Veteran ETA: What Veterans Need To Know About Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

There is a solid path to veteran business ownership using entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) or search fund approach. Here's what you need to know.

Watch Now: Veteran CEO Interview

In this session of our CEO series, our customer, James Maxwell, shares how his military experience prepared him for ownership and the skills that make veterans successful business owners.

Want more educational content? Check out Live Oak Bank’s Resource Center.

Contact Team

  • LisaForrest

    Lisa Forrest
    Head of Search Fund Lending

    Email Lisa | 425.999.2042

  • SarahAndrews, CPA

    Sarah Andrews, CPA
    Senior Lending Officer, Search Fund Lending

    Email Sarah | 919.523.6975