The weekly SMB acquisition challenge

Think you can spot a great acquisition?

Analyze real SMB deals, make the calls before seeing the answers, and find out where your acquisition judgment ranks.

See where you rank →
3 cases · 9 decisions · see where you rank

Make the call before you see the answer.

Read the deal. Commit to your decision. Then see the verdict.

Example case
Pool service route, semi-absentee buyer

A residential pool service business outside Phoenix: $780K revenue, $295K SDE, asking $944K (3.2x). Four routes — three W-2 techs costing $60k each fully loaded, plus the owner, who drives the fourth himself and writes every repair quote. the add-backs supporting SDE include $58K of the owner's wages, $9K of personal auto and health insurance, and a one-time $12K compressor replacement. The buyer is a career-changer who plans to run the business and hire a fourth tech rather than drive. The listing calls it semi-absentee.

Which addback do you push back on?

How good are you, really?

01
Analyze the deal
A real SMB acquisition, numbers and all.
02
Make your call
Decide before you see the answer.
03
See the verdict
Find out where your reasoning held up.
04
Check your rank
See how your score compares.

Where do you rank?

Every challenge is scored against the same rubric, so you can see how your acquisition judgment compares with other buyers.

This week's leaderboard
  1. 1Tommy71

What separates a good acquisition call from a bad one?

Your score tests the parts of acquisition judgment that matter when deciding whether a deal deserves your time and money.

Deal quality
Cash flow
Hidden risks
Operations
Judgment
Deal structure

Your score isn't just about getting the answer right. It's about recognizing the risks, tradeoffs, and diligence that matter.

The leaderboard gets you in. The feedback makes you better.

After every decision, see the model answer and exactly where your reasoning held up or fell short.

Competition is the hook. Better acquisition judgment is the point.

Ready to see where you rank?

3 cases. 9 decisions. See where you rank.

See where you rank →