Your company. Your legacy.
Founders Mosaic is an Indianapolis-based team of business owners who practice entrepreneurship through acquisition. We buy, run and grow founder-led companies, and when we find outstanding businesses and management teams, our ideal hold period is forever.
Building the future by acquiring the present.
Entrepreneurship through acquisition is the practice of buying and building existing businesses to grow and create long-term value, rather than starting from scratch.
Step into something that works
Customers, cash flow and a track record — a wheel that's already rolling.
Lead as owner-operators
We honor the people and culture the founder built, and treat every team member with complete respect.
Build for the long term
Improve operations, develop the team and create lasting value — not a quick flip.
An alternative to a typical sale.
You have created your company. We can help you craft your legacy.
We believe companies exist to solve society's problems. We partner with founders and creators who have built their companies over decades and want to transition them to people they trust — in a way that honors their legacy. A legacy that matches up with them in:
“People are not projects to be managed, but persons to be encouraged.”
Great businesses deserve great successors.
ETA comes in many forms. Pick a path to see how it works — and where Founders Mosaic fits.
Search Fund
An entrepreneur raises money from a group of investors to spend 1–2 years searching for the right company, then raises more capital from the same investors to buy it and step in as CEO.
Best for
MBAs and professionals who want support and mentorship
Pros
Backed by experienced investors; can pay a salary during the search
Cons
Must give up significant ownership; pressure to find a deal fast
Self-Funded Search
The DIY version of ETA. The entrepreneur uses their own savings, or money from friends and family, to fund the search and purchase. More freedom — and more risk.
Best for
Operators with personal savings who want full control
Pros
Keep most or all of the equity; move quickly on deals
Cons
Lower budget means smaller businesses; you carry all the risk
Corporate ETA
An established team or firm — like Founders Mosaic — acquires and leads businesses as part of a long-term platform. It blends ETA with private equity principles, with an ownership mindset and often no intention to sell.
Best for
Founders looking for a legacy-minded buyer
Pros
Experienced leadership; flexible deal structure; long-term ownership, not quick flips
Cons
Less visibility than traditional PE; deal flow based on relationships, not brokers
Operator-in-Residence
An entrepreneur joins an investment firm before a deal closes. Once the firm acquires a company, the operator steps in as CEO.
Best for
Future CEOs without the capital to buy
Pros
Backed by an experienced firm; no personal money needed
Cons
Must wait for the right acquisition; may not choose the company
Family or Employee Succession
The next owner is already in the building: a family member, key employee or management team, often funded with loans or seller financing.
Best for
Founders ready to retire with loyal teams who want to own
Pros
Smooth transition and cultural continuity
Cons
Buyers may lack capital or leadership experience
From first conversation to forever.
A conversation
We start by listening — to your story, your people and what you want your legacy to be.
A free evaluation
Our eight-factor evaluation shows where the value in your business is concentrated.
A flexible structure
We shape a transition that fits you, your family and your team — not a one-size-fits-all deal.
A careful close
Diligence and closing, handled with the same people you will keep working with.
Long-term ownership
Our ideal hold period is forever. We run and grow the company for the long haul.
Companies we've owned and grown
“As we turn the page at Warsaw Chemical, we feel confident that this will be very positive for our customers and our employees, which are the most important things.”
Ken Bucher, President, Warsaw Chemical — on its acquisition by Founders Mosaic. The headquarters stayed in Warsaw and the staff remained in place.
Read the story →Answers, up front.
How is Founders Mosaic different from a typical buyer?
We practice what is often called corporate ETA: an established team that acquires and leads businesses as part of a long-term platform. We blend ETA with private equity principles, but with an ownership mindset — when we find outstanding businesses and management teams, our ideal hold period is forever.
What happens to my employees and customers?
We treat all team members with complete respect, and we believe people are not projects to be managed, but persons to be encouraged. When we acquired Warsaw Chemical, its headquarters stayed in Warsaw and its staff — including the president — remained in place. Read the story →
What kinds of owners have you bought from?
We have acquired companies owned by families, institutional investors and ESOPs — and we thrive most when acquiring and growing founder-led companies.
Do you only buy manufacturing companies?
Our team has invested over $1.5 billion in acquisitions of manufacturing companies, and our portfolio also includes service, refrigeration, chemical and food businesses.
Learn about entrepreneurship through acquisition.
What is your business worth to a long-term owner?
Our proprietary evaluation scores your company across the eight factors we have found drive value. It only takes a few minutes.