SoCal ETA Conference by UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall
April 1st, Wednesday: Invite-Only and Approval Only Happy Hour
See Separate Ticket add-on to request and submit
April 2nd: All-Day Conference
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Registration: Kick off the day with breakfast and informal networking. Meet fellow attendees, reconnect with peers and start conversations with investors, operators and students before the program begins.
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Keynote Opening Remarks:
Conference leadership from UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall will open the day and set the tone for Southern California's flagship ETA gathering. Opening Keynote A distinguished ETA leader will share insights on the current state of entrepreneurship through acquisition, emerging trends and lessons from the field.
10:00 – 3:30 p.m. Panel Discussions Two concurrent tracks
Track 1: Search and ETA Fundamentals
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Panel: Different Approaches to ETA:
Explore the full spectrum of ETA paths — from traditional funded search to self-funded, hybrid and single-sponsor models. Learn the trade-offs, economics and personal considerations of each approach.
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Riches in the Niches - Industry Selection and Sourcing:
Not all industries are created equal. Panelists will break down how they identified attractive sectors, built proprietary deal flow and developed sourcing strategies that cut through the noise.
12:15 – 1:20 p.m. Lunch and Networking:
Recharge with lunch and connect with speakers, sponsors and fellow attendees. Sponsored tables provide opportunities for focused discussions.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Panel: Switchers (Veteran to Searcher, Corporate to Search, Student to Search, Startup to Search):
Hear from operators who made the leap into ETA from military service, corporate careers, graduate programs and startup life. Learn what transferred, what didn't and how each background shaped their search.
2:40 – 3:30 p.m. Life as a Searcher: Ups and Downs:
The search process is a marathon, not a sprint. Active and recently completed searchers share the emotional and practical realities of the journey — from early momentum to dead deals and everything in between.
Track 2: Operations, Finance and Value Creation
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Panel: Due Diligence: Hidden Deal Killers:
As ETA grows more competitive, thorough due diligence matters more than ever. Panelists will share how to uncover hidden risks, navigate quality of earnings and avoid costly mistakes before closing.
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Panel: A Right Way to Leverage:
Debt Structuring and Options Dive into acquisition financing, capital structures and how thoughtful use of leverage can accelerate value creation while managing risk. Panelists cover SBA lending, conventional options and creative structuring.
12:15 – 1:20 p.m. Lunch and Networking:
Recharge with lunch and connect with speakers, sponsors and fellow attendees. Sponsored tables provide opportunities for focused discussions.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Panel: The Raise:
Investor Focused Operators and investors share real-world fundraising stories, what worked, what didn't and how to navigate the capital raise as a searcher. Hear what investors actually look for and how to stand out.
2:40 – 3:30 p.m. Panel: Post-Acquisition Operations:
Value-Add This session focuses on operational excellence after closing: improving processes, building teams, scaling systems and executing growth initiatives that drive long-term enterprise value.
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Fireside Chat: When SMBs Start Looking Like Venture Join an intimate conversation exploring the intersection of AI, outsized risk and why every search fund is starting to look like a tech venture. A candid look at where ETA is headed and what it means for the next generation of operators.
5:00 – 7:30 p.m. @ Luskin Centennial Patio
Happy Hour and Networking Reception Close out the day with drinks, conversation and connection. The reception offers a relaxed environment to continue discussions, strengthen relationships and reflect on the day's insights.