Why more people are buying businesses instead of starting them
The structural case for acquisition entrepreneurship is stronger than ever. In this edition: the macro forces behind the trend, takeaways from the ETA Central event at Melbourne Business School, how strategic finance has helped different businesses scale, and what Payday Super means for business owners from 1 July.
The macro picture
The shift is showing up in the numbers and on the ground. Australia has nearly three million actively trading businesses, a significant wave of owners nearing retirement, and a growing pool of buyers who are coming into conversations far better prepared than they were even two years ago. The interest in acquisition entrepreneurship is real and it is growing.
I shared my perspective on the structural forces behind this trend and what I have been seeing through the conversations I am having with different clients. You can read that piece on LinkedIn.
Inside the ETA Central event at Melbourne Business School
Earlier this month, I attended the ETA Central event at Melbourne Business School, with over 100 people in the room. Three operators at different stages of the acquisition journey shared what it actually took to run their businesses post-acquisition. One had already exited and moved into investing. One is two years into running an industrial manufacturer. One is in the critical first months of his first acquisition.
The challenges were real, and each was candid about the decisions they would have approached differently. But the common thread across all three was clear: the journey itself is the reward, and not one of them would go back to what they were doing before.
If you want to explore acquisition finance or talk through how strategic debt could work for your situation, get in touch.
How strategic finance has helped businesses scale
A look at how the right debt structure has helped business owners fund acquisitions, manage growth, and position for what is next. The case studies cover a range of situations - from first acquisitions through to portfolio building and growth capital. The financing decisions at each stage are different, and the lender landscape shifts depending on where you sit in the journey.
Payday Super kicks in from 1 July. Is your business ready?
From 1 July 2026, super contributions will need to be paid at the same time as wages rather than quarterly. Under the new Payday Super rules, funds must land in the employee's account within 7 business days of each pay run.
For business owners, this is a meaningful cash flow shift. Super moves from a predictable quarterly outflow to a per-cycle obligation. The ATO is also stepping up enforcement, with daily compounding penalties applying to late payments. If your payroll setup and cash flow cycle have not been reviewed with this in mind, now is the time.
Thinking about a business acquisition?
Get in touch for a free conversation. We will talk through your situation, the financing options available, and how the numbers stack up for your specific deal.