ETA Academy

ETA Bootcamp: Calgary

Accelerate your business buying journey with a community that has your back.

Key details

Ready to Buy a Business? Let’s Get Started.

Benefits of ETA

Skip the 0-to-1, and go 1-to-100

76% of small business owners are planning to exit their businesses by 2032, according to a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Over 54,000 small businesses are on the market, offering a prime opportunity for new owners like you to step in and take the lead. (Canadian Chamber of Commerce BDL)

Who it's for

For those ready to start their business search—without going it alone.

First-Time Searchers

You’re serious about buying a business and want to know the exact next steps to launch your search. Learn from seasoned experts how to choose your ideal acquisition target, structure your search, and sift through deals until you find the perfect fit.
Action-Takers

You’re ready to do more than dream—you want to buy. Build the skills, strategy, and confidence you need to find the right deal and make it yours.
Community Builders

You’re exploring the opportunity of buying a business but don’t want to do it alone. You know learning is better together—and so do we.

Instructed by insiders

See our past lineup of instructors.

Mentorship experts from Canada’s ETA ecosystem—lawyers, investors, and experienced business buyers who’ve been in your shoes.

+25
More!

Course Highlights

Turn your goal of buying a business into a plan.

Build the skills, strategy, and network you need to search for—and buy—your first business.

In-person community

Start strong with your new cohort. Share a meal, dive into hands-on workshops, and hear from seasoned pros during this one-day event in Calgary.

Get back to the in-person energy we’ve all missed and connect with business owners, investors, and bankers here to help you find and fund your next business.
Reunite with your cohort in-person in Calgary to reflect on your journey throughout the course, and get ready for the next steps in your business-buying journey.

But most importantly, celebrate 🙂

Online learning

Turn strategy into action. Set up your own sourcing process–both broker-led and proprietary–based on your ideal company profile and exit plan. By the end, you’ll know how to consistenly generate deal flow aligned with your lifestyle and acquisition goals.
Learn to quickly assess a company’s viability by reading financial statements and decoding the story hidden in the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM). You’ll develop the skills to decide which businesses are worth pursuing further and which to walk away from.
Master the building blocks of a solid acquisition: how to think about valuation, and how to raise the right mix of debt, equity, and seller financing. You’ll leave with a framework to structure a deal that gets funded and closes.

How it works

ETA Bootcamp at a glance

July
Send in your application

Complete a short written application form so we can get to know you.
- Only 50 spots available
- We review applications every week and advance successful applicants to the next step.
Deadline: October 24, 2025
August-September
Webinar

Join us for an optional webinar to learn more about the program and the journey ahead!
- Choose between August 20, Sept 3, Sept 17 or Sept 24
November
First day of ETA Academy 🤓

Kick off the journey with a warm welcome to the program, meet your cohort, and set the stage for success.
- Attend workshops
- Share a meal
- Network with peers, business owners and bankers.
Calgary: November 8
ETA Academy, 2024
November
Virtual Sessions

Designed to fit into your professional lifestyle. 40 hours of fast tracked curriculum includes:
- Expert-led panels
- Hands-on workshops
- Keynotes
- Self-study time
Virtual: October 29-December 13
December
Graduation Day 🎓

Reunite with your cohort and prepare for the next steps in your business-buying journey.
- Create a draft search plan
- Reflect on your journey
- Celebrate!
Calgary: December 13

< 01 / 03 >

"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

Are you a fit?

You're able to read basic financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
Can commit to ~10 hours/week
Can be in-person in Calgary on November 8, 2025 and December 13, 2025
This course is best designed if you have at least 2 years of work experience.
This course is best designed if this is your first time buying a business.
This course is best designed if you are looking to buy a business generating $2-5M in EBITDA or valued between $5-15M.
You’re driven to take action, looking for expert guidance, practical tools, and a peer network to accelerate your journey.

Apply by October 24 More Programs

The course investment is $2500 CAD.

This special rate includes a thoughtfully designed, hands-on curriculum, in-person sessions with meals, ongoing support from our dedicated team, and lifetime access to our ETA Slack Community.
ETA Academy is focused on hands-on, practical learning specifically for buying and running an existing business. You’ll master real-world skills like:

Building a pipeline of broker-led and proprietary deals

Uncovering insights behind metrics and trends in financial statements during early stage due diligence

Following the correct steps and deal structure when raising debt and equity for your acquisition

Through interactive workshops, you’ll gain confidence in due diligence, funding options, and deal negotiation, while building a supportive network of peers, brokers, bankers, and industry experts to guide you along the way.
Plan for around 10 hours a week for our virtual learning sessions. Plus, we’ll meet in person twice—on November 8 and December 13. These sessions are packed with value, including meals, networking opportunities with peers, business owners, bankers, brokers, lawyers, and investors.

You’ll also get to attend keynotes, workshops, and panels, all designed to give you hands-on learning and meaningful connections.
Companies across all sectors that are generating between $2M and $10M in EBITDA and valued between $5M and $15M.
We require you to be able to read basic financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
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 🙂 Let us know in your application why you’re a great fit and how this aligns with your skills, goals, and experience.
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. We kick off with an in-person session to set you up for success, and we close with a graduation day where you’ll reflect on your journey, celebrate progress, and be held accountable to what you’ve learned. With only five weeks of focused, targeted learning, you won’t lose momentum.
If you’re still exploring whether ETA is the right path for you, check out ETA Academy 101. It’s a fully virtual, four-week program designed to fit your busy schedule while helping you decide if buying a business aligns with your skills, goals, and lifestyle. Learn more here.

Learn More

ETA Bootcamp: Calgary

Ready to Buy a Business? Let’s Get Started.

Skip the 0-to-1, and go 1-to-100

For those ready to start their business search—without going it alone.

See our past lineup of instructors.

Turn your goal of buying a business into a plan.

In-person community

Online learning

ETA Bootcamp at a glance

Send in your application

Webinar

First day of ETA Academy 🤓

Virtual Sessions

Graduation Day 🎓

Applications Open

Optional Webinar

Last Day to Apply

Payment Deadline

Onboarding Day

Launch Day

Graduation Day

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