Platform vs. Tuck-In: The Private Equity Playbook Explained

Most business owners spend years building something great — and almost no time thinking about what comes next. The buyers on the other side? They think about this stuff every single day.In this episode, Joshua Wilson sits down with co-host and Kin Capital Partners co-founder Jude David — an M&A attorney turned acquisition entrepreneur who has closed hundreds of transactions and built a portfolio of a dozen companies from the ground up with his own capital.Jude pulls back the curtain on how Kin Capital evaluates deals, builds platform companies, structures acquisitions for both sides, and navigates the increasingly crowded and complicated world of independent sponsors. Whether you're a business owner thinking about an exit, a buyer evaluating your first acquisition, or an operator managing a growing portfolio, this episode is packed with hard-won insight from someone who has lived every side of the deal table.Topics Covered:What Kin Capital Partners is and how it started with three dudes and a handshakeWhy Jude went from M&A attorney to acquisition entrepreneurHow to evaluate platform businesses vs. tuck-in acquisitionsThe EBITDA thresholds Jude uses to filter deal flow fastWhy manufacturing beats service businesses in an AI-driven worldGeographic strategy mistakes in buy-and-build playsThe real difference between funded PE firms and independent sponsorsWhy blind bid processes hurt sellers — and what to do insteadThe pyramid framework for sustainable business growthQuestions every seller should ask a prospective buyer🔗 Website: https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcast Powered By: FA Mergers https://www.famergers.com/📩 Want to be a guest or have a topic suggestion? Reach out via LinkedIn or our website.🎧 Subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode!Curious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/