UPCOMING SUMMIT

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Summit

Sept. 25, 2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | at the University of Utah | Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building

All Welcome | Free to Register (Includes Breakfast & Lunch)

We welcome students, faculty, staff, and interested community members to attend the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Summit at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, hosted by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. If you are a current ETA or search-fund entrepreneur, operator, or investor in Utah, or if you’re exploring paths in entrepreneurship by acquiring an existing business, the ETA Summit is for you. Register to attend this one-day event and hear from local and national experts in ETA entrepreneurship in keynote and panel conversations. Learn the basics of how to find, acquire, and operate a business as an ETA entrepreneur. Meet fellow searchers, operators, and investors to build your network. And share your ideas on how the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute can support the growth and development of our local ETA community.

[SOLD OUT] Register for Summit (Free) Join Waitlist

Topics Covered

  • Where to start as an aspiring entrepreneur — Practical steps for launching your ETA journey
  • How to win your search for a business — Strategies to identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities
  • Closing the deal — Funding options and deal structures that work
  • An operator’s first 100 days — Lessons learned from new owners stepping into leadership
  • Building the local ETA ecosystem — How we can strengthen Utah’s community of entrepreneurs and investors

Event Details

  • Location: Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building, 1655 Campus Center Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (view on map)
  • Cost: Admission is free (includes breakfast and lunch for attendees)
  • Space is Limited: Registration is available on a first-come, first-serviced basis
  • Contact Us: Send questions to lassonde@utah.edu

Speakers & Panelists

  • Scott Holley, executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, former ETA entrepreneur and CEO of Eddyline Kayaks
  • Karen Spencer, co-founder of searchfunder.com, the world’s largest online ETA community, and founder of Fetch Strategies
  • Mark Jansen, professor of finance and experienced search fund investor
  • Chase Murdock, CEO of Decada Group, which buys, grows, and stewards companies in Utah 
  • Heather Barber, serial ETA entrepreneur and author of “Buy Scale Sell”
  • Dan Hanks, partner at Peterson Partners, a leading institutional search-fund investor 
  • Damon Deru, ETA entrepreneur
  • & more!

All Welcome

  • No prior experience is required. Whether you’re a student, faculty, staff, or community member, you’ll leave ready to explore acquisition entrepreneurship.
SPONSORED BY

About the Entrepreneur Summit Series

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute hosts an engaging Entrepreneur Summit Series designed for professionals, alumni, students, and working entrepreneurs. These summits provide a unique opportunity to connect across industries, share ideas, and explore innovative projects shaping the future. Each event highlights important and timely topics, offering insight into current challenges and opportunities in entrepreneurship. Participants will learn from experienced founders, collaborate with peers, and discover actionable strategies to advance their ventures. By fostering meaningful discussions and showcasing real-world projects, the series empowers attendees to grow as leaders, expand their networks, and make a lasting impact in the entrepreneurial community.