Bio

Devin is an entrepreneurial leader with over 20 years of experience growing organizations across multiple industries and continents. He most recently acquired, scaled and exited a commercial refrigeration and HVAC business. Previously, he led business development and market expansion efforts in financial services, consulting and international business. Devin holds a BS from Bentley University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson and lives outside of Boston with his wife and two kids.

Topic

Many aspiring entrepreneurs believe that starting a business from scratch is the only path to ownership, but acquiring and growing an existing business can be a faster and more predictable route to success. In this session, we’ll explore the fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), including sourcing deals, evaluating opportunities, financing acquisitions and scaling a business post-purchase. Drawing from my own experience acquiring, growing and exiting a small business, I’ll share practical insights, key lessons and common pitfalls to help students understand if ETA is the right path for them.