Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Academy

ETA Academy 101: Your virtual, entry point into buying a business.

Ordinary people are becoming business owners and CEO's. Here's how you can be next.

Key Program Details

$2T in Canadian small businesses is up for grabs. Behind each deal is someone just like you — gaining freedom, wealth, and influence. ETA 101 is your first step in joining them.

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Is Owning a Business Closer Than You Think?

The Key Is Knowing Where to Start.

Career Transitioners

You’ve built a successful career in marketing, sales, operations, finance, or consulting but can’t shake that itch for something more. You're curious about entrepreneurship, but the startup struggle isn’t your thing.
Business Owners

You’ve dipped your toes into entrepreneurship—maybe even run your own business—but now you’re ready for something bigger.
Flexibility-Seekers

You want to level up your knowledge without pausing your life. You're looking for a guided, flexible learning experience you can fit into your busy schedule.

Insights You Can’t Google: Learn Directly From Operators Who’ve Bought Businesses

Meet Our Past Instructors

When you’re new to ETA, the difference between success and failure often comes down to the advice you receive.

Our speakers give you more than inspiration: they’ll share unfiltered insights, proven strategies, and lessons from deals gone right (and wrong).

Learn more about your instructors.

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More!

The value of ETA 101 goes far beyond the classroom.

Explore your path to business ownership.

A flexible way to learn about ETA and see if buying a business is your next move.

Online community

Start your journey with a relaxed, welcoming online session. Meet fellow participants from across Canada, hear what brought them to ETA, and set learning intentions. Build connections in a supportive space designed for discussion.
Learning doesn’t end with live sessions. Stay in touch with your cohort and alumni through our dedicated Slack channels. Share insights, ask questions, and get real talk from people navigating the ETA journey—so you never have to figure it out alone.

Online learning

Understand the ETA path in Canada–what it involves, the kinds of businesses changing hands, and the steps to acquiring a business.
Learn how to build a deal pipeline that fits you. Find the right businesses, work with brokers, and target opportunities that align with your financial and lifestyle goals.
Explore how deals actually get done. From bank debt to seller financing, EBITDA (valued at between $5-15M ) business without going it alone.

Step-by-Step: How the Program Unfolds

ETA Academy 101 at a glance

March
First Day of ETA Academy 🤓

Kick off the journey with a warm welcome to the program
- Meet your cohort
- Hear from the CEO and an alumn who kicked off their search
March 19, 2026
Weekly Sessions

Designed to fit into your busy lifestyle.
- Two 2-hour live sessions per week plus async content from our ETA library
- Workshops, panels, Q&As
- Slack channel to connect with your cohort
March 19 - April 23, 2026
April
Graduation Day 🎓

Celebrate with your cohort and prepare for the next steps in your business-buying journey.
- Reflect on your journey
- Celebrate!
April 23, 2026

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"The curriculum was hands-on, the guest speakers shared relevant real-world lessons with openness, and the peer network made the experience even more valuable"

Lily Akagbosu
Product Manager, IBM

Enrollment Now Closed

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The course costs $1,400 CAD.

A specialized curriculum developed by VFC you can’t find anywhere else and support from our staff every step of the way.
At ETA Academy, Canadian experts and practitioners share insights, case studies, tactics, and frameworks that clearly define what a self-funded ETA journey involves and what it takes to pursue it. You’ll learn how to:

Build a pipeline of deals

How to fund your acquisition

Explore real-world case studies presented by recent business owner

By the end of the course, you’ll have the mindset, knowledge, and clarity to decide if ETA is right for you.
Plan for around 10 hours a week for our virtual learning sessions plus asynchronous content.
Companies across all sectors that are generating $2-5 million in EBITDA or valued between $5-15 million.
No, you don’t! We welcome applicants from all professional backgrounds, and we’ll guide you through what you need to know to feel confident.
This is a common fear, and it’s okay to feel uncertain. ETA Academy is designed to build both your knowledge and your confidence, debunking common myths about buying a business—like needing to be wealthy or already knowing everything about running a company.

This course will help you decide if entrepreneurship through acquisition fits your skills, lifestyle, and goals, all with a low up-front investment.

You’ll walk away with clarity and confidence about whether this path is right for you, without the risk of jumping in prematurely.
That’s okay! While we recommend this course for those with a minimum of 2 years of experience, we welcome applicants who have less experience but are eager to dive in.
You’re not alone—many people feel this way, especially with the demands of everyday life. The ETA Academy was built with that in mind. We don’t just hand you a set of videos and call it a day. With only five weeks of focused, targeted learning, you won’t lose momentum.

Plus, you’ll be supported by a tight-knit community and experienced mentors who are with you every step of the way, keeping you engaged and motivated throughout.
If you’re serious about starting your ETA journey right away, our ETA Academy Bootcamp might be a better fit. It’s designed for those ready to plan and launch their search, with five weeks of more hands-on learning, two in-person sessions in Calgary, and a strong community focus. Learn more here.