ETA Academy

ETA Academy 101: Virtual

Everything you wanted to know about buying a business but were afraid to ask.

Key details

Curious About Buying a Business? Start Here.

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 exploring if buying a business is right for them.

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.

Instructed by insiders

Meet 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

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.

How it works

ETA Academy 101 at a glance

July
Applications Open

Complete a short written application form so we can get to know you.
- Only 50 spots available
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Deadline: August 29, 2025
September
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
- Network with peers, business owners and bankers.
September 22, 2025
September
Weekly Sessions

Designed to fit into your busy lifestyle.
- 90 minute live session per week plus asynch content from our ETA library
- Lectures, panels, Q&As
- Async content from ETA Library
- Optional live co-working time with peers
September 22-October 20, 2025
October
Graduation Day 🎓

Celebrate with your cohort and prepare for the next steps in your business-buying journey.
- Reflect on your journey
- Celebrate!
October 20, 2025

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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

Are you a fit?

Want to find out if ETA is a good fit for you, your skills and your lifestyle.
Can commit to ~10 hours/week
You’re curious, motivated, and seeking expert guidance to move from interested to informed action.
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 new to ETA and looking to buy a business generating $2-5M in EBITDA or valued between $5-15M

Apply by August 29 More Programs

The course costs $1250 CAD.

This rate includes designing a hands-on curriculum and dedicated staff support throughout.
At ETA Academy, Canadian experts and practiioners 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 ownesr

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.
Nope, 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 🙂 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 four 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.

Learn More

ETA Academy 101: Virtual

Curious About Buying a Business? Start Here.

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

For those exploring if buying a business is right for them.

Meet our past lineup of instructors.

Explore your path to business ownership.

Online community

Online learning

ETA Academy 101 at a glance

Applications Open

First Day of ETA Academy 🤓

Weekly Sessions

Graduation Day 🎓

Applications Open

Last Day to Apply

Payment Deadline

Onboarding Day

Sessions Begin

Graduation Day

Are you a fit?

ETA Academy Opens Waitlists for Three New Business-Buying Programs

What is Entrepreneurship through Acquisition?

Navigating The Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Landscape in Canada

Bridging the Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Training Gap in Canada