Becoming a business acquirer at 30: journey and financing
Introduction
Acquiring a business at 30 may seem bold. Yet, more and more young professionals are taking the plunge and becoming acquirers before 35. Contrary to popular belief, age is not an insurmountable obstacle: it can even be an asset.
Young acquirers bring energy, adaptability and a modern vision of business management. They compensate for their lack of experience through their ability to learn quickly and surround themselves with the right people. The main challenge? Financing and credibility with sellers and banks.
In this article, we explore three concrete journeys of acquirers between 25 and 35 years old in French-speaking Switzerland. Lea acquired a hair salon at 28, Thomas an IT company at 32, and Marc and Julie bought a cafe-restaurant as a duo at 30. Their stories illustrate the specific challenges facing young acquirers: building personal equity, negotiating seller financing, establishing credibility.
You will also discover financing solutions adapted to young acquirers and practical advice for structuring your project. Whether you are fresh out of business school, have a few years of professional experience or are looking for an alternative to starting a business, acquiring an existing structure may be the fastest route to entrepreneurship.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Acquiring a business at 30 is possible with the right preparation. Young acquirers compensate for their lack of experience through their adaptability and ability to surround themselves with support. Financing solutions include personal equity (15-30%), seller financing and bank loans. The key to success: building credibility, continuous training and structuring a solid long-term project.
📚 Table of contents
- Why acquire a business at 30?
- Portrait 1: Lea, 28, acquisition of a hair salon in Lausanne
- Portrait 2: Thomas, 32, acquisition of an IT maintenance company in French-speaking Switzerland
- Portrait 3: Marc and Julie, 30 and 29, duo acquisition of a cafe-restaurant in Fribourg
- Financing solutions for young acquirers
- Specific advice for successfully acquiring at 30
- How Leez supports young acquirers
Why acquire a business at 30?
Acquiring a business at 30 offers significant advantages: you inherit an operational structure, an established customer base and proven processes. Unlike starting from scratch, you avoid start-up risks and generate revenue from day one.
Challenges exist: legitimacy with more experienced teams, access to financing with limited equity, lack of sector experience. But the Swiss context is favourable. The coming wave of business transfers creates opportunities for young acquirers ready to commit.
Energy, adaptability and digital mastery are major assets. To explore this further, consult our comparison buying a business or starting your own.
Portrait 1: Lea, 28, acquisition of a hair salon in Lausanne
Profile: Management training, 5 years as a manager in a salon chain. Lea was seeking autonomy and local roots.
Business acquired: Salon established for 15 years, 3 employees, turnover of 280,000 CHF. Negotiated price: 180,000 CHF.
Financing: Personal equity of 50,000 CHF (savings and family loan), bank loan of 100,000 CHF, seller financing of 30,000 CHF over 3 years.
Challenges: Gaining the trust of the existing team and modernising without disrupting established habits.
Result after 18 months: Maintained turnover, customer loyalty and early growth thanks to a strengthened digital presence.
Portrait 2: Thomas, 32, acquisition of an IT maintenance company in French-speaking Switzerland
Profile: Computer engineer, 8 years of experience including 3 as project manager. Thomas wanted to leverage his technical expertise and develop a strategic vision.
Business acquired: SME with 6 people, turnover of 850,000 CHF. The seller, approaching retirement, had no family succession.
Financing: Equity of 120,000 CHF, bank loan of 250,000 CHF, earn-out over 2 years for the balance.
Process: 14 months of active searching, identification on Leez, support from an M&A lawyer from the network.
Challenges: Technical transition with the seller, process modernisation, recruitment.
Result: 15% growth in the first year and development of new services.
Portrait 3: Marc and Julie, 30 and 29, duo acquisition of a cafe-restaurant in Fribourg
Profile: Entrepreneurial couple with complementary skills. Marc brings his experience in catering, Julie her expertise in digital marketing.
Business acquired: Family establishment of 25 years, strategic location, in need of modernisation.
Financing: Combined equity of 80,000 CHF, bank loan of 150,000 CHF, seller financing of 50,000 CHF.
Particularity: Progressive takeover with support from the seller for 6 months.
Challenges: Managing the entrepreneurial couple, work-life balance, necessary investments.
Result: Successful repositioning, strengthened digital presence, attracting new customers whilst retaining regulars.
Financing solutions for young acquirers
Financing is often the main obstacle for a young acquirer. With limited equity and fewer years of savings, multiple financing sources must be combined.
Suitable options include reduced personal equity, seller financing, bank loans with guarantees, earn-out and private investors. Each situation requires a tailored strategy.
To structure your application, consult our guide for building your bank financing application and the article on acquiring a business with no down payment.
Personal equity: how much is needed?
In Switzerland, banks generally expect equity of 20 to 30% of the acquisition price. For a business at 200,000 CHF, this represents 40,000 to 60,000 CHF.
Possible sources for a young acquirer: personal savings, family loan (love money), early withdrawal from the 2nd pillar under strict conditions, crowdfunding.
Personal equity demonstrates your commitment. The more substantial it is, the more you strengthen your credibility with banks and the seller.
Seller financing: a key lever
Seller financing is a mechanism where the seller finances part of the sale price, generally 10 to 30%, over a period of 2 to 5 years.
For a young acquirer, it is a strategic lever: it reduces the need for bank financing and demonstrates the seller's confidence in the continuity of the business.
Negotiation covers the amount, duration, interest rate and guarantees. Well-structured seller financing considerably facilitates access to acquisition.
Bank loans and alternatives
Swiss banks evaluate three main criteria: the strength of the business plan, the quality of guarantees and the acquirer's experience.
Alternatives to traditional bank loans include SME guarantees (public guarantee), private investors, and earn-out (payment based on future results).
The Leez partner network brings together financing experts who can support you in structuring your financial arrangement.
Specific advice for successfully acquiring at 30
Successfully acquiring at 30 requires rigorous preparation and a pragmatic approach. The testimonies of Lea, Thomas, Marc and Julie show common points: solid preparation, expert support, humility.
Three strategic axes emerge: compensating for lack of experience through support and training, quickly establishing credibility with stakeholders, and building a long-term vision.
To structure your approach, consult our guide first steps in business acquisition and the action plan for the first 100 days.
Compensating for lack of experience
Lack of sector or managerial experience is not prohibitive. It is compensated by solid support and a willingness to learn.
Surround yourself with experts: experienced mentor, board of directors, Leez network partners. Favour a transition period with the seller to absorb key knowledge.
Train specifically in management, finance and HR. Capitalise on your strengths: digital mastery, capacity for innovation, energy. Your youth is an asset if you know how to exploit it intelligently.
Establishing credibility quickly
Legitimacy is not decreed, it is earned. Start by listening: team, customers, suppliers. Understand what works before wanting to change everything.
Respect what exists whilst bringing your progressive vision. Communicate transparently about your intentions and decisions.
Achieve quick wins: small visible improvements that demonstrate your ability to create value. Show your commitment through your presence and availability. Credibility is built day by day.
Building your project for the long term
A successful acquisition is measured over 3 to 5 years, not 6 months. Define a clear vision and share it with your teams.
Avoid abrupt changes that destabilise. Invest in relationships with all stakeholders: customers, suppliers, team, financial partners.
Plan financial reserves to absorb inevitable unforeseen events. Maintain work-life balance: acquiring at 30 also means building your personal life. The sustainability of your project depends on your ability to last the distance.
How Leez supports young acquirers
Leez facilitates access to acquisition for young entrepreneurs. Our platform provides access to a catalogue of businesses for sale in Switzerland, with filters by sector, region and size.
The acquirer subscription at 250 CHF/year allows you to contact sellers securely, with identity verification and integrated NDAs.
Our partner network brings together fiduciaries, lawyers and M&A experts to support you with financing and legal aspects. No commission on sales: total transparency.
Start your search even without finalised financing. Understanding the market is the first step of a successful acquisition project.
Acquiring a business at 30 is not a risky bet, it is a solid entrepreneurial strategy. The portraits of Lea, Thomas, Marc and Julie demonstrate this: with a well-structured project, suitable financing and a willingness to learn, age becomes an asset rather than a hindrance.
Financing solutions exist: moderate personal equity (20-30%), seller financing to compensate for lack of capital, bank loans with a solid application. Lack of experience is compensated by support from the seller, continuous training and a network of qualified experts.
The key to success lies in preparation and transparency. Establish your credibility from the first contacts, build your project for the long term, and surround yourself with the right people.
Are you 30 and have an acquisition project? Explore now the businesses available on Leez and connect with sellers actively seeking motivated acquirers. Your journey starts here.
