← All Pathways
Ownership Pathway

Traditional Acquisition

Buy the business outright at close — cash, conventional debt, or SBA financing.

Live on the Marketplace
Current opportunities matching this pathway — open the marketplace already filtered to Traditional Acquisition.
Checking live opportunities…

Thousands of business owners transition businesses every year. Business Partner Match™ helps you understand every legitimate path to ownership before you make a decision.

What it is

A traditional acquisition transfers 100% ownership at closing. The buyer funds the purchase with personal capital, conventional senior debt, SBA 7(a) loans, or some combination. The seller exits cleanly (or stays for a brief transition).

Advantages

  • +Clean, immediate 100% ownership
  • +Fastest decision-making post-close
  • +Well-understood financing playbooks (SBA 7(a), conventional)
  • +Seller exits — no ongoing dependency
  • +Easier to integrate into existing portfolio

Typical Risks

  • !Largest upfront capital requirement
  • !Personal guarantees on SBA / bank debt
  • !No seller-aligned incentives post-close
  • !Full transition risk lands on the buyer

Typical Structure, Timeline & Investment

Typical structure: 10%–25% buyer equity, 70%–90% senior debt (often SBA 7(a) up to $5M), short transition consulting. No earnouts or seller notes required.

Example Scenario

A $3M revenue plumbing company is acquired for $2.4M: $600K buyer equity, $1.8M SBA 7(a) over 10 years at SBA prime + 2.75%. Seller consults for 30 days, then exits.

Best Suited For

Buyers with significant capital or strong SBA-eligible credit profiles who want clean, immediate control.

Ready to take the next step?

Browse free. Learn free. Pay only when you're ready to connect with a business owner.

Educational information only. Always consult qualified legal, tax, financial, and lending professionals before entering any business acquisition.