The Found & Funded Podcast

Send us Fan MailWelcome back to a brand new season of The Found & Funded Podcast.In this first episode of season 3, we welcome Linh Van Deibel, Director of Infrastructure Design Solutions, a B2B telecom services provider. From her roots in Vietnam to the high-stakes worlds of JP Morgan and private equity, Linh eventually moved into business operations, where she led five major acquisitions for a fintech scale-up - taking them from 50 to 1,500 employees.Now, as the co-founder of Acacia Partners, she shares the raw reality of the self-funded search fund model, the mechanics of acquiring a B2B telecom services provider in 2025, and the challenges of being a female searcher in a male-dominated industry.In this episode, we discuss:Moving from investing to operations and why an MBA changed Linh’s trajectory.Being advised to bring an "older, strong male figure" to meetings.Using interns to build a deal pipeline.The heartbreak of a deal falling through.🕒 Key Chapters00:00 Introduction00:25 Linh’s Background: From Vietnam to the US and the UK03:41 Hearing About Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition08:39 Getting Buy-In From Your Spouse13:01 Why Self-Funded Search Over Other Models?18:04 The Challenge Of Being Female In A Male-Dominated Industry23:45 Using Interns For Proprietary Outreach26:52 The Role Of AI In Outreach27:32 Proprietary Sourced & Brokered Pipeline30:47 Running Two Acquisition Deals In Parallel36:15 Raising Equity41:02 Advice For Other Female Searchers46:30 What Is Linh’s Dream?LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan Mail“Search is a binary process — you either make it, or you don’t."In our upcoming episode with Linh Van Deibel of Acacia Partners Ltd, we dive into the raw, unfiltered reality of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition:- No salary.- No safety net.- A year (or more) of uncertainty.- Deals falling apart — even at the 11th hour.And still… making the decision to keep going.From discovering ETA as a career path, to navigating bias and testing resilience, this is a story about betting on yourself when nothing is guaranteed.Tune in on 23 April for season three episode one, 'From JP Morgan to business owner with Linh Van Deibel', available to stream on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. https://lnkd.in/eGY_nhP9LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailFrom finance to founder; trading career certainty for autonomy and long-term impact.In our season finale, Carl Lundberg is joined by Darnell Irozuru, CEO of Birch Faraday Capital and 2024 ETA Award winner, to unpack his ETA journey.Darnell’s instinct for entrepreneurship has been central to this story, starting with his own tutoring business straight out of university. Initially chasing FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early), he’s now focused on building a long-term hold-co and growing his care business sustainably.Listen along to find out how he tackled his first acquisition and overcame the challenges of deal sourcing and financing as a first time-buyer.Episode six, ‘Self-funded, self-doubt, and self-belief: Darnell Irozuru’s acquisition story’ is out now. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan Mail"I would not want to put my worst enemy through what I went through in that year, in terms of the highs and lows of getting that deal over the line."Faced with setbacks and challenges, Darnell Irozuru's first acquisition was anything but smooth. As someone who likes to hit the ground running, Darnell found himself doubting his decision to trade a sturdy 9-5 for entrepreneurship. Find out what drove Darnell to leave a stable finance career in pursuit of ownership and impact, how he fought through self-doubt to close the deal and how he plans to grow his business in a responsible and sustainable way.Episode six, 'Self-funded, self-doubt and self-belief: Darnell Irozuru's acquisition story' will be live this Friday! LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailIn our penultimate episode of the season, Carl Lundberg is joined by Toby Henry, CEO of Accelerator Solutions, to unpack the personal and professional driving force behind his ETA journey.After starting out in financial services and spending seven years in management consulting, Toby realised he wanted more from his career.Inspired by his entrepreneur parents, Toby shares what drew him to the search fund model, how he's balancing legacy and leadership, and why flexibility, autonomy, and purpose continue to shape every decision he makes.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailA sneak preview of what's to come in this week's episode. After starting out in financial services and spending seven years in management consulting, Toby realised he wanted more from his career.Inspired by his entrepreneur parents, Toby shares what drew him to the search fund model, how he's balancing legacy and leadership, and why flexibility, autonomy, and purpose continue to shape every decision he makes.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailSergey Sushentsev, Co-Founder of Astra Holdings, shares how a failed succession plan sparked his journey into ETA. He unpacks his deal sourcing tactics, Astra’s 3-step value creation playbook - professionalise, incentivise, digitise - and why the HoldCo model is a game-changer for long-term growth.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailNew episode coming soon! Hear from Sergey Sushentsev, Co-Founder of Astra Holdings, as he shares the personal story behind his passion for succession planning, his approach to sourcing deals, and how Astra creates value through its three-part playbook: professionalise, incentivise, and digitise.Make sure you're subscribed for when episode four drops on 13 June.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailEpisode three has landed. Traditional searcher, Allison Stuckless, sits down with Carl Lundberg to share her journey from investment banker at JP Morgan, to stand-up comedian in the UK and then into the world of search. Plus Allison puts Carl in the hot-seat with some of her questions on the economic trajectory of the UK, managing seller expectations as a searcher, and what it takes to get a deal over the line. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailOur next guest to join Carl in the hot seat is traditional searcher, Allison Stuckless, Founder and Managing Partner of Vericor Capital. Allison shares her journey from investment banker at JP Morgan, to stand-up comedian in the UK and then into the world of search. Stay tuned for the full episode, coming on 30 May. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan Mail'Leave your job, become a self-funded searcher and start building relationships’ - Gareth Hawkins. In our brand new episode featuring Gareth Hawkins, CEO of BizCrunch, Carl and Gareth explore how data, technology, and a relationship-first approach are reshaping how searchers find and close deals. Whether you're an aspiring searcher, investor, or operator, this episode challenges you to think differently about how deals get done.Listen now on Apple, Spotify or watch along on YouTube. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailEpisode two coming soon...In this brand new episode, Carl sits down with Gareth Hawkins, to dive into how deal sourcing is evolving and why traditional methods may get left behind. From data-driven strategies to the future of search, this is a must-listen for anyone in the world of acquisitions, private equity, or search funds. Be sure to tune in on Friday 16 May.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailEpisode one of this brand new season kicks off with Olivier Stapylton-Smith, Director of Serv-Ice Refrigeration. Listen along as Carl and Olivier deep dive into self-funded search, initial deal pipeline, the importance of having a good support system, and balancing being an entrepreneur with having a family. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailAn official first look at what's to come in episode one of season two... 👀'A self-funded acquisition with no external equity' with Olivier Stapylton-Smith, Director of Serv-Ice Refrigeration, will be dropping on 2 May 2025.In the season two premiere, we learn more about Olivier’s self-funded search journey and explore why he chose the acquisition path after launching his own company. Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss an episode.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan Mail"Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money." - Alex Glasner on seeking investment. Bringing you a never seen before bonus clip from episode five 'The self-funded path to success - Harvard Business School to CEO'. In this extended cut, Alex shares how he found himself with an over subscribed cap table and his best advice for those who are looking to be a more confident negotiator.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailThe final episode of the season is here! Deal making, industry expertise and sourcing the right company - these are all skills this week's guest looks for as an investor in the ETA space. Joyce Mackenzie Liu, CFO and CEO of Pegafund, joins Carl behind the mic for episode six to explore how venture capital and private equity intersects with the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition, as well as how to leverage cashflow to accelerate growth.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailJoyce Mackenzie Liu is in the hot seat this week, as she and Carl explore how venture capital and private equity intersects with the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition. Comparing the differences and similarities to the search fund model, what Joyce looks for as an investor when considering backing an entrepreneur, and leveraging cashflow to accelerate growth - this is a discussion you won't want to miss!Episode six, 'How ETA is attracting venture capital and private equity investors', will be available to stream tomorrow at 4pm on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailAlex Glasner acquired Workpays with an over subscribed cap table and a solid infrastructure in place. From Harvard Business School to CEO; Carl sits down with the self-funded searcher, to reveal why he undertook a search, how he approached investors and picked his cap table, what he was looking for in a business and the most valuable advice he has received along the way. Find out his secrets to success in episode five!LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailHere's a preview of what's to come. Featuring self-funded searcher, Alex Glasner, episode five explores Alex's passion for entrepreneurialism and his path to success. From working for Parliament, to becoming Managing Director of his first search acquisition, Workpays, and his strategic approach to the self-funded search process - you won't want to miss this one. Coming on 10 January... Subscribe to our YouTube to be notifiedLinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, featuring alongside Carl, is renowned search fund mogul, Bramley Johnson. This episode is part two of our mini series on fundraising and investment and Carl asks the questions we've all been curious about; What are your best tips for getting a deal closed? Can you share any advice for aspiring searchers? What are the key considerations for searchers looking for investment?Watch or stream episode four 'Secrets for raising your search fund: What investors look for' now.LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailGet ready for episode four... 🍿Featuring search funds legend, Bramley Johnson, this episode is all about #investment and #fundraising. Carl asks the questions we've all been curious about; What are your best tips for getting a deal closed? Can you share any advice for aspiring searchers? What are the key considerations for searchers looking for investment?Be sure to tune in on #Apple, #Spotify or #YouTube on 20 December to hear about Bramley's journey. 🔔 P.S Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Head to the link in our bio. 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundandFundedPodcast/playlistsLinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailIf you're a searcher at the investment stage of your journey, or an aspiring searcher curious about investment methods, this episode is for you.You'll learn about about a range of investment avenues, first hand, from a seasoned search fund adviser, such as:Debt fundingAsset backed lendingInvoice financingVendor financingEquity fundingAnd more!Thank you to Nick Wallis for joining us on this episode and sharing your expertise. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailWe have hit the halfway point of the series! In episode three, Carl is joined by Nick Wallis, Head of Deal Advisory at Gerald Edelman.Nick discusses his experience in the search fund space, exploring key topics including debt funds, searcher credibility, Asset Based Lending (ABL) and the vital role of a debt adviser. They also explore options like invoice financing, vendor financing and equity funding. You don't want to miss this episode! LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailTune in and get excited! In episode two Carl is joined by Adam Johnson, CEO of Water Direct and winner at The ETA Awards 2023, Deal of The Year (Traditional). Adam shares his journey as a successful acquisition entrepreneur, from how he got started as a traditional searcher, uncovering the trials and tribulations of the search fund process, to who he las learnt the most from in the industry. LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailHere's a preview of what's to come in our second episode of The Found & Funded Podcast! 🗣️🎙️Joined by Adam Johnson, CEO of Water Direct, Carl digs deep and asks the questions we've all been wanting answers to...Who made up your cap table? If you could go back, is there anything you would have changed? Was it always smooth sailing for you? Adam tells all, from how his deal died (more than once), to the one piece of advice for entrepreneurs that has stuck with him. 👀LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailIn the first episode to kick off the season, Carl alongside guest William Abell, explores the search fund model. From configuring your cap table, common pitfalls with deal mechanics, to seeking out the target. Carl and Will also discuss how you can sustain your search, the difference between self-funded and traditional search and who's the right fit for the search fund model. We hope you enjoy the first episode, let us know what you think over on our social media!Want to watch this episode? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and never miss an episode! https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundandFundedPodcast/videos LinkedInInstagramWebsite

Send us Fan MailHere's a preview of what's to come in our first episode of The Found & Funded Podcast! 🗣️🎙️Joined by Partner at Gerald Edelman, William Abell, Carl Lundberg kicks off this first episode with a deep dive into the search fund model, 'Demystifying Search Funds'.Where did it come from? How does it work? What kinds of search are there?The pair also share some hard truths about the industry and the kinds of people who undertake a search.You don't want to miss the premiere of season one!Subscribe on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/daBV3XMGLinkedInInstagramWebsite