Building the Next Chapter of Amsterdam’s Entrepreneurial Legacy.
Across Europe, there are thousands of small and medium-sized businesses ready for new ownership.
ETA Amsterdam connects the next generation of acquirers, operators and investors, who buy, grow and hold real companies for the long term.
The Challenge – Europe’s Silent Succession Gap
Across Europe, ownership of businesses is changing hands.
In the next decade, more than 30% of small and medium-sized enterprises will undergo succession. In the Netherlands alone, it is expected that over 70,000 business owners will retire without a successor each year.
Most of these companies are healthy, profitable, and well established in their local communities. However, all too often, when an owner steps back, there is no one ready to step in. As a result, valuable businesses either close or are sold to foreign corporations simply because there is no clear succession plan in place.
At the same time, a new generation of entrepreneurs is looking for a different approach: the opportunity to acquire and develop an existing business rather than starting from scratch. They read books, listen to podcasts and dream of buying their first company, but they rarely find like-minded people or local guidance in Europe.
That is the gap we are closing.
Join our Community →
The Vision – Why We’re Building This in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has been a city of entrepreneurs for more than four centuries.
In 1602, the Dutch East India Company launched the world's first publicly traded shares and set up the world's first stock exchange. This marked the beginning of modern capitalism and the concept of shared ownership.
Today, we are at another turning point.
Across Europe, thousands of profitable family businesses need a new generation of owners to take them forward. Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) embodies the same spirit of partnership and progress as the Dutch East India Company.
Rather than creating something entirely new, acquisition entrepreneurs step into existing companies, protect their legacy and build upon their strengths. It is entrepreneurship built on stewardship.
ETA Amsterdam connects this heritage with the future.
We bring together searchers, operators, investors, and advisors who believe in ownership as a long-term commitment, rather than speculation. Our goal is to establish Amsterdam as the European hub for acquisition entrepreneurship, where knowledge, trust, and opportunity converge.
Why Join ETA Amsterdam?
A trusted, founder-led community for acquisition entrepreneurs.
ETA Amsterdam gives you a space to connect with others who are on the same path as you, whether that be people buying, operating, or investing in small businesses.
Alexander Kelm
Founder of ETA Amsterdam
Learn from real operators
Hear honest stories from acquisition entrepreneurs who have already bought and scaled their own companies. Learn what worked, what did not, and what they wish they knew earlier.
Connect with the right people
Meet searchers, investors, advisors, and financiers who understand the ETA journey. Build genuine relationships with people you can collaborate with, not just follow online.
Access proven frameworks
Use tools, templates, and playbooks on sourcing, valuation, financing, and post-acquisition integration shared by experienced acquirers.
Build confidence and momentum
Gain clarity on your next step through peer discussions, case sessions, and meetups. Whether you are launching your search, structuring your deal, or preparing for due diligence, you will move forward with confidence.
Keep learning and improving
Join online workshops and live sessions that cover deal sourcing, financing, governance, leadership, and operations. Learn the skills that truly matter after the deal closes.
How the Community Works
ETA Amsterdam connects entrepreneurs who are learning, searching, and buying small businesses through a mix of online and in-person activities.
It is built for everyone in the acquisition space, including HoldCos, search funds, and independent sponsors.
Monthly Meetups
Join focused sessions in Amsterdam and online that explore deal sourcing, financing, governance, and post-acquisition topics.
Online Community
Stay connected between events, share resources, and discuss challenges with peers who understand the ETA model.
Expert Sessions
Learn from experienced acquirers, investors, and advisors through live Q&As, fireside talks, and workshops.
Practical Resources
Access curated templates, playbooks, and checklists to move from idea to acquisition with confidence.
The Road Ahead
ETA Amsterdam is growing into a trusted hub for acquisition entrepreneurs across Europe.
Our vision is to make learning, networking, and collaboration in small business acquisitions simple and accessible.
Local meetups and expert sessions continue to expand across Amsterdam. We’re bringing together searchers, operators, and investors who believe in long-term ownership.
Join the ETA Amsterdam Community
ETA Amsterdam brings together people exploring business ownership through acquisition.
Learn how to source deals, evaluate opportunities and run small companies. Connect with searchers, operators, investors, and students.
Attend monthly meetups in Amsterdam and stay connected online with resources, discussions, and collaboration.
Free to join.
Hi, I'm Alexander Kelm
I’m an aspiring acquisition entrepreneur and an MBA graduate from the University of Greenwich.
While researching Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, I realised that there was no real community in Europe for people buying and running small businesses.
ETA Amsterdam was born to change that, providing a space for entrepreneurs, investors and operators to connect and share insights, opportunities, and experiences.
You can find me on LinkedIn or subscribe to my Buyout Diary newsletter, in which I write weekly about acquisitions, governance, and entrepreneurship.
Alexander Kelm
Momentum and Partnerships
ETA Amsterdam has already attracted more than 100 members in its first months.
We have hosted three successful meetups and are in discussion with Erasmus University, the University of Amsterdam, and the City of Amsterdam to create long-term collaboration.
These early milestones show that Europe is ready for a movement dedicated to ownership and continuity.
Join the Movement
Over 300,000 family businesses in the Netherlands
Family-owned companies are the backbone of the Dutch economy. Many are profitable, stable, and ready for the next generation of leadership. (Source: CBS, 2024)
1 in 5 Dutch business owners is 60+
A significant proportion of SME owners are nearing retirement, creating a wave of succession opportunities in the coming years.
(Source: RVO, 2023)
~30,000 Dutch SMEs face succession each year
Most of these businesses struggle to find a successor, which creates opportunity for searchers, operators, and acquirers.
(Source: Rabobank “Bedrijfsovername Monitor”)
FAQ
ETA Amsterdam is built for people who want to buy and operate small businesses. If you have questions about joining, membership, or how the community works, you’ll find clear answers here.
Anyone interested in buying, operating, or investing in small businesses.
Members include first-time searchers, (MBA) students, operators, HoldCo founders, and small business investors.
No.
Many members join to learn, explore the path, and connect before they start searching.
No.
We are based in Amsterdam, but members join from Germany, Austria, Belgium, and the UK.
All events and communication are in English!
At the moment, membership is free.
Sponsors support the community.
Later, when the private platform and Deal Room go live, certain advanced features will be available via a paid membership.
Current members will receive early access.
Every model of acquisition entrepreneurship:
• HoldCo and long term ownership
• Traditional search funds
• Self funded searchers
• Independent sponsors
• Operators and CEOs stepping into succession deals
If your goal is to buy and run a real business, you belong here.
We run a mix of online and in person engagement:
• Monthly sessions online
• Quarterly in person Meetups in Amsterdam
• Pop up co-working sessions when deal talks heat up
Absolutely.
Most members start learning before taking action.
This is the place to ask questions, find guidance, and meet people already doing it.
Yes.
We will introduce optional paid features when the private platform launches, including:
• Member directory and Deal Room
• Industry introductions and capital access
• Exclusive workshops and operator roundtables.
Founding members will keep free access to the core community benefits.
No.
We are a community and a network.
Our purpose is connection, learning, deal flow, and support between peers.
This clarifies expectations and avoids positioning you as a “course”.
Capital always follows the operator.
We will connect you to investors, financing options, advisors, and real case studies.
Many members start without capital.
What matters is commitment and momentum.
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