ecquisition
Where Passion Meets Legacy
Ecquisition aligns motivated buyers—who dream of owning their own business—with retiring owners who want their life's work to endure under the right hands.
The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Employee
Millions of Americans working inside large corporations are quietly dreaming of something different—independence, ownership, and the chance to build something that matters to them. A seismic shift is underway in the American workforce. After decades of corporate restructuring, remote work, and shifting priorities, a record number of mid-career professionals are choosing to exit the corporate ladder—not to retire, but to own. They bring management expertise, industry knowledge, and capital to the table. And their goal is to acquire the right business.
According to research from the Small Business Administration and leading entrepreneurship surveys, buyer interest in business acquisition has surged dramatically in the post-pandemic era, as professionals seek autonomy, purpose, and the rewards of ownership over the predictability of a paycheck.
33M+
Small Businesses in the U.S.
The world's largest small business ecosystem, representing a massive universe of acquisition targets for motivated buyers.
~27M
Americans Want to Own a Business
Surveys consistently find that tens of millions of employed Americans have a strong desire to run their own business at some point in their lives.
$2.4T
Estimated Business Transfer Value
The projected total market value of small and mid-size businesses expected to transfer ownership over the next decade.
A Legacy at Risk — Unless the Right Buyer is Found
America's retiring business owners represent one of the greatest wealth and knowledge transfer events in economic history. Needed are new owners who truly care.
The Baby Boom generation built an extraordinary share of America's small and medium-sized businesses. As they approach retirement age at a rate of more than 10,000 per day, many face a profound dilemma: what happens to the business they spent a lifetime building? Their employees, their customers, their community—all depend on the answer.
For most owners, selling to a private equity firm or closing their doors is not the legacy they envisioned. What they want is a passionate, capable new owner who will steward what they built with the same care and dedication.
10,000
Baby Boomers Retire Daily
A massive wave of business-owning retirees is cresting now, creating the largest buyer's market for small businesses in U.S. history.
~40%
Have No Succession Plan
Nearly half of business-owning Baby Boomers have not identified a successor, putting their life's work—and their employees—at risk.
70%
Family-Owned Businesses Prefer Outside Buyer
In surveys, a majority of owners whose families won't continue the business prefer a dedicated individual buyer over corporate consolidators.
It's Not Just a Transaction. It's an Alignment.
At Ecquisition, we believe the most successful business transfers happen when buyer and seller share values, vision, and passion—not just a number on a term sheet. Our role is to find the human fit, not just the financial fit.
How ecquisition Works
For Sellers
You've built something meaningful. You deserve a buyer who sees it the same way. When you register with Ecquisition, our team learns everything about your business and what you hope the next chapter looks like—for you, your employees, and your community.
We match you exclusively with buyers whose passions, values, and investment capacity align with what you've built—not just buyers chasing returns.
- Confidential, curated matching
- You define what the right buyer looks like
- Legacy preservation is our priority
For Buyers
You've spent years inside a corporation, developing skills, expertise, and a vision for what you'd do differently if it were your own. Ecquisition helps you find a business that fits not just your financial capacity—but your passions and purpose.
We present you with opportunities matched to your interests, location, and investment level—screened and aligned before you ever have your first conversation.
- Pre-screened, passion-matched opportunities
- Focus on what drives you, not just ROI
- Expert guidance from inquiry to close
Meet the ecquisition Team
Our partners bring together complementary backgrounds in finance, operations, and entrepreneurship — united by a shared belief that the right match between buyer and seller changes lives, not just balance sheets.
Kristie Long
Partner
Kristie holds degrees in cellular molecular biology and communication, a Colorado real estate license, and has served as a special education teacher and director of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. A results-driven business development professional, she excels at building strong relationships and connecting organizations with opportunities that support growth and long-term success. Her experience with a diverse range of clients has sharpened her ability to understand business needs, identify strategic solutions, and create valuable partnerships. Kristie and her husband have three adult children. The Longs are very active in the Vail Valley, where they live.
John Finley
Partner
John holds degrees in physics and marketing. Following a career in corporate finance with Citibank and JPMorgan Chase, he became CFO and CEO of a public company, then an independent entrepreneur by acquiring a business from a Fortune 100 company. He currently manages Colorado-based businesses in research, commercialization, organizational consulting, business brokerage, and capital development. A U.S. Army veteran, John has collaborated with numerous research universities and national laboratories in the U.S. and U.K. He and his wife have five children and divide their time between the mountains of Colorado and Lake Erie in Ohio.
Aidan Kehoe
Partner
Aidan holds a degree in Accounting and Finance and specializes in helping businesses understand their financial performance through clear analysis, reporting, and strategic insights. He brings ten years in the private sector and six years in public accounting, with expertise in tracking, analyzing, and communicating an organization's financial health — giving business owners the quantitative information needed for informed, data-driven decisions. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Aidan now lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and two dogs. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with family, pursuing fitness goals, and expanding his knowledge of personal finance.
