jon staenberg

omaha meets seattle going to mendoza....and Portugal....and i am a total evangelist for Search Funds and entrepreneurship. But above all i am a dad.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

The massive generational wealth transfer has arrived. Tens of thousands of deeply profitable, enduring small-to-midsize companies need new leadership. Motivated investors are using the ETA model to find, buy, and manage these solid legacy companies. https://t.co/YueMPD3u1I

[jon staenberg @staenman]

How savvy an investor is AI? A new study documents AI outperforming humans in predicting the success of business ventures, suggesting it is expanding its understanding of strategy. Adding human judgment to the mix actually increased the error rate. https://t.co/73RdhlwOXN

[jon staenberg @staenman]

AI is transforming investing. AI agents are not making vital decisions, but they are increasingly making proactive moves throughout the ETA process. These aren't really judgment calls. Rather, they are decisions powered by the logic of pattern recognition.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

At Agate Hound Fund, we invest across a diversified portfolio of ETA funds, giving our investors structured access to the top tier of talent and businesses in the space. It’s about combining the grit of small business entrepreneurship with an institutional-grade strategy.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

To be simple is to be great, wrote Emerson. The same can be said of ETA investing. Simple, no-frills companies are great opportunities, with high margins and recurring revenue. https://t.co/M44n0gOmZF

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Without a succession plan, many small businesses will close as the great wealth transfer gathers momentum. ETA investment can save the company and its legacy, providing the technology, capital, and expertise necessary for renewal and long-term success. https://t.co/ryaSRRPLVI

[jon staenberg @staenman]

In small markets, young ETA investors are buying established SMBs from owners who want to retire but have no succession plan. These young investors apply new technologies to companies with proven business models, solid client bases, and superb reputations. https://t.co/l34cMX9wPD

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Real success in investing or any other profession is about improvisation. It's about finding things that are so interesting to you that you just want to dive deep. It's about searching for what you love to do.

More here in my recent UNCAGED interview: https://t.co/FvVBYqaqRM

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Stanford professor Jennifer Aaeker has a refreshing perspective on AI. She challenges us to broaden our view and see it as something more than a story about technology. She believes it is a chance for people to become more fully human. https://t.co/5tEvQRsCSm

[jon staenberg @staenman]

In our ETA investments, we look for companies that are the least likely to be put out of business by AI, but also the most likely to benefit from using AI tools to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. That's the sweet spot.

Learn more here: https://t.co/FvVBYqaqRM

[jon staenberg @staenman]

When researching ETA opportunities, reputation beats cold outreach every time. You build a reputation in a segment by winning trust. It's the human element that once again proves more valuable than spreadsheets and databases.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

ETA is a financial transaction, but it's also so much more than that. You are helping to continue a legacy. Some of the best opportunities are in niche industries, located in secondary or tertiary markets.

Check out my full conversation here: https://t.co/FvVBYqaqRM

[jon staenberg @staenman]

At the heart of business success is this simple principle: Focus on making the whole team better. It's what I've learned over decades of investing, but fundamentally it's also something most of us were taught in kindergarten: Play well in the sandbox.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Sophisticated ETA investors don't respond to the hard sell. They want to be informed, not pitched. They want to be part of a story, and in the world of ETA investing, there are many great stories to explore, all based on a founder's dream and a lifelong journey of achievement.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Sometimes the drive that makes an entrepreneur successful generates less positive outcomes, such as isolation and loneliness. It's a hard road to success, and many sacrifices are required along the way. But the truth is, there's no reason this journey needs to be a solitary one.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

In sales, as with many pursuits, rejection is an opportunity for feedback and growth. Reassess, regroup, recalibrate. As the legendary golfer Bobby Jones once said, "I never learned anything from a match I won."

[jon staenberg @staenman]

In business and in life, rich interactions and deeper conversations are rooted in selflessness. It's not the total absence of ego, but rather the ability to step back, put your agenda on the back burner, and engage in the conversation on the other party's terms.

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Here is a very practical view of what AI can do for companies in need of major transformation. The answer for distressed businesses may no longer be "classic restructuring," but rather precise use of AI in key areas to realize substantial cost reductions. https://t.co/mlzjEn4Ahm

[jon staenberg @staenman]

The story of Joe Springsteen is an inspiring one. Follow his quest for a searcher-friendly business, and his discovery of Mallard Systems. Lessons learned during his first harrowing ownership experience (clue: biohazards) were invaluable! Watch here. https://t.co/6ZHqseHIH7

[jon staenberg @staenman]

Had a great conversation with Jason Osborn on his Atomic Impact Podcast. We covered a lot of ground, across four decades in venture capital and private equity, including the importance of building authentic relationships. Would love to hear your reaction! https://t.co/6bm4K8lTk4