The EIR Program backs Searchers with binding equity commitment and defined partnership terms. Capital is committed before you find a deal.
The Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) Program is a selective pathway for Searchers with significant operations experience who are pursuing acquisitions on a full-time basis (20–30 hours per week). Our EIR Program enables qualified candidates to start their search with a binding capital commitment of $500K to $1M before identifying a specific deal, allowing candidates to target $1–$2M SDE businesses that would be difficult to pursue independently.
The EIR Program is designed for SBA-backed acquisitions. You’ll lead the search, source the opportunity, and sign the personal guarantee. We’ll provide committed capital, underwriting guidance, lender introductions, a preferred deal team, and hands-on deal support from the initial evaluation through closing and execution.
Unlike the non-binding support letters issued by many funds, the EIR Program provides a contractual commitment that brokers and lenders can rely on. The program is built for Searchers prepared to run their business full-time and create value through long-term ownership.
With committed capital in place from the start of your search, you aren’t limited to what you can fund alone. The EIR Program expands your buying power and allows you to compete for stronger, more resilient companies from day one.
Acquisition Lab is the leading investor in ETA. As a member of the EIR Program, you’ll receive a signed capital commitment from our team early in your search. That proof of funds signals your intent to brokers and sellers while instantly positioning you as a qualified, backed buyer.
The EIR Program isn’t a passive capital or a no-support funding program. We’ll work alongside you 1:1 to evaluate opportunities, refine deal structures, manage SBA financing, and navigate diligence through closing.
Transactions with the EIR Program are supported by our vetted deal team spanning SBA financing, diligence, and legal execution. Because this team is familiar with our structure and standards, processes are more efficient, execution risk is reduced, and Searchers get a better deal.
After close, our Lab Services team will provide the financial and operational infrastructure while you focus on leading the business. Rather than rebuilding systems from scratch, you’ll step into the ownership role with reliable support already in place.
The EIR Program is designed for SBA-backed acquisitions that meet our defined underwriting standards, but we won’t be a fit for every business or industry.
The guidelines and qualifications below clarify the types of businesses we prioritize and the situations we seek to avoid.
EIR Program capital is exclusively deployed into SBA-financed transactions. Non-SBA structures aren’t eligible for the program.
We prioritize business with durable cash flow, clean financials, and operational simplicity. Businesses should be understandable, manageable, and capable of sustaining long-term ownership and growth.
We don’t invest in sectors with clear structural risk or limited margin durability, including any of the following:
While members of the EIR Program may pursue opportunities outside of our core guidelines, we aren’t obligated to invest in that specific deal.
Ideal businesses demonstrate the characteristics necessary for strong, full-time ownership. These include:
The EIR Program is designed for businesses that can be easily understood, operated, and grown through disciplined execution.
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Charlie Cummings brings over 15 years of experience helping remotely-operated businesses grow with operational excellence, digital transformation, and process improvement initiatives. Since 2018 he has led a boutique management consultancy, serving clients in industries including finance, construction, energy, agriculture, and education. He has managed teams globally across many functions including finance and accounting, software development, BD & sales, and training. Charlie has twice successfully exited companies that he founded. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s in Public Management from the University of Maryland, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Now a full-time searcher with Acquisition Lab’s EIR program, he is seeking to acquire and operate one US-based, remotely-operated business in the $1-2M EBITDA range.
Juan Lopez brings over 20 years of robust experience in aerospace, industrial technology, and CPG. Most recently, he served as Director of Product Management at Blue Origin, where he managed a 35-person team, was responsible for P&Ls up to $65 million, and delivered approximately $100 million in annual efficiency gains. His earlier tenure at companies like Boeing and Clorox provided deep expertise in commercializing B2B SaaS and physical products, managing multi-site teams of 50+, and implementing data-driven process improvements. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Juan is seasoned in nonprofit board leadership and possesses strong P&L and people-management capabilities. He is targeting tech-enabled industrial and aerospace businesses nationwide and is open to relocating across the U.S.
Brendan Doney, a Los Angeles-based operator-investor, brings extensive P&L and investment experience to his role as Managing Partner at Willowbrook Capital. He co-founded and ran Crosscourt, where he scaled the company from zero to $750k ARR and over $2 million in sales, successfully raising $2 million in capital. His responsibilities included managing a 30-person team and overseeing a $500k facility build-out. Earlier in his career, he honed his real estate and project management skills through stints in leasing and development at Hudson Pacific Properties.
Alix Baudin is a seasoned executive with two decades of success in leading and scaling media and technology companies. His experience includes direct P&L responsibility for a $100M business with 20–30% EBITDA, as well as the hands-on management of a 200-person digital operations team (400 including agencies) generating over $100M in revenue. Alix's expertise spans KPI-driven management, budgeting, capital allocation, product and systems development, and significant M&A experience across both the media and technology sectors.
Jeff Prows is an experienced operator and searcher with a proven track record, making him an ideal candidate for an SBA-financed acquisition. His background includes managing a $10M P&L at Amazon, where he achieved a 44% profit increase. Furthermore, he led global account-strategy teams at AI SaaS scale-ups Databook and Unsupervised, maintaining retention above 100%. He also successfully executed a $10M construction turnaround through his independent consulting practice.
Tracey Saenz brings over 26 years of brand scaling expertise across CPG, biotech, SaaS, and manufacturing, including managing an $18M global budget and leading teams of up to 22. Her core strengths are in GTM strategy, sales/marketing, and tech-platform scaling. Tracey is targeting a product, distribution, or service company in Southern California with $150K–$1.5M in Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE).
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Ramon Rodriguez is an experienced operator and growth-minded leader with more than 25 years of experience helping businesses grow across consumer products, agribusiness, and technology. He has led brands ranging from under $1 million to more than $2 billion in revenue, managed budgets of up to $120 million, and built high-performing teams at companies including Procter & Gamble, Meta, Abbott Nutrition, Conagra, and Zespri. While leading Zespri North America's marketing efforts, he helped reshape the brand's go-to-market model, adding 500,000 new consumers per month and driving 60% sales growth. Ramon is seeking to acquire and personally lead an established business in consumer products, services, or distribution near the San Francisco Bay Area.
Justin Fountain is a Rockwall, Texas-based operator and full-time ETA searcher with more than 20 years of experience leading complex operational, technology, and process improvement initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and government clients as a Manager at EY. Throughout his career, he has built and led global PMOs, managed client relationships, and overseen cross-functional teams of up to 20 direct reports while coordinating work across organizations exceeding 100 personnel. In addition to his consulting background, Justin founded and scaled two international Christian nonprofits, growing one to 15 full-time staff and more than 200 weekly volunteers across 16 provinces in Cuba. He is currently seeking to acquire and operate a U.S.-based services or light manufacturing company in the $1–2M SDE range.
Richard Chang brings a strong background as an operator, having spent four years as President/GM for two Smash My Trash territories, where he was responsible for the P&L, sales, fleet operations, and managing account managers and drivers. His entrepreneurial experience includes founding a six-figure automotive e-commerce company. Additionally, he spent nine years in inventory and procurement at Fashion Nova and BCBG, gaining significant expertise in both brick-and-mortar and digital supply chains. Richard holds an MBA from USC Marshall.
Tony Heller is a seasoned operator with over 20 years of experience in sales, service, and P&L leadership, showcasing deep expertise in people management and integration. His background includes serving as Director of M&A at Opatik Defense, where he was responsible for sourcing and integrating add-ons for a defense-supply platform. Previously, at Waste Management, Tony oversaw a $570 million revenue book and an 81-person team, successfully integrating a $70 million tuck-in while simultaneously achieving SG&A reductions. His earlier career highlights feature call-center leadership at Comcast (managing 90 representatives), P&L management for an $8.5 million inside-sales book, and logistics duties during his time in the Army Reserve.
The EIR Program is designed for professionals with proven people leadership and P&L responsibility. Strong candidates have managed teams, made operational decisions, and understand what it means to be accountable for outcomes.
Ideal candidates bring meaningful personal capital to the table.
At minimum, this includes approximately 3% of total project costs at closing, as well as additional post-close liquidity.
Total accessible capital should generally exceed $250k.
The EIR Program requires a full-time search commitment. Typically, candidates dedicate 20–30 hours per week to their search, review multiple opportunities consistently, and actively progress toward LOI within the program term.
Candidates participating in the program are expected to run the acquired company themselves on a full-time basis.
This is an Operator-led model, not a passive income strategy, and candidates should be prepared to sign an SBA personal guarantee when required.
The EIR Program is a defined partnership with clear capital terms, preferred lenders, and required post-close infrastructure. Candidates should be comfortable operating within an established framework rather than sourcing independent capital outside the program.
Our capital commitment lasts for 18 months, with extensions provided on a case-by-case basis. If no acquisition closes within that term, EIR Program benefits conclude and our capital commitment is withdrawn.
The EIR Program is built for experienced Operators who are ready to move, but the program is only available to members of Acquisition Lab.
If you meet the criteria and want to pursue acquisition with a binding capital commitment, apply to join the Lab and mention EIR during your strategy call.