Nine ownership pathways are supported on the platform. Each fits a different combination of capital, experience, and timeline. Most real deals combine two or three pathways — for example, SBA financing plus a small seller note plus a transition consulting period.
Compare the nine pathways
Traditional acquisition, seller financing, SBA financing, earn-in ownership, sweat equity, partnership opportunities, management buy-ins, succession planning, and mentorship transitions. Each has its own capital requirement, experience requirement, time-to-ownership, and active-vs-passive profile. The Pathway Comparison Table on the home and Pathways pages lays them out side by side.
Choosing as a business owner
Owners choose based on what they want from the transition: maximum cash at close (traditional / SBA), highest total value over time (seller financing), gradual handoff (earn-in or succession), keeping experienced employees in ownership (sweat equity, MBI), or staying involved (partnership). The right pathway is the one that matches the owner's life goals, not just the financial outcome.
Choosing as a future owner
Future owners choose based on capital, experience, and risk tolerance. Limited cash + strong operating experience → earn-in, sweat equity, or MBI. Moderate cash + industry experience → SBA + seller financing. Significant cash → traditional acquisition. Limited operating experience → partnership with an operator, or mentorship transition.
Combining pathways
Most real deals are hybrids. SBA + seller note. Seller financing + earn-in milestone. MBI + equity rollover from the seller. The pathways on the platform are building blocks — sophisticated deals stack them.
Frequently asked
Use the Path Finder. It asks about capital, experience, involvement, and timeline, then recommends a fit.
Yes — and most do. Many owners are open to seller financing, partnership, or traditional sale depending on the buyer.
No — these are common industry structures. The platform organizes opportunities around them to make matching easier.