Welcome

Your Entrepreneurial Portal

Welcome to your entrepreneurial portal, Pipeline Prep. Our sole focus is preparing you for your entrepreneurial journey—especially if you’re buying and leading a small‑to‑mid‑sized business (EtA)—and helping you to succeed. We blend structured learning, practical tools, and community support so you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Be sure to scroll below and browse our main menu on the top right.

Recommendations & Endorsements

What People Say

Examples in their own words.

She believed in me before I fully believed in myself....

It's not an exaggeration to say my professional life can be divided into two chapters: before knowing Karen Spencer and after knowing Karen Spencer.

As a participant in her EtA Launch Hub and current member of her CEO Roundtable, I've experienced firsthand how Karen transforms leaders. She brings an extraordinary background spanning politics, law (Harvard), business (Stanford), chemical engineering (MIT), and experience from Silicon Valley to Nike. But what truly sets her apart is how she channels all this expertise into one mission: uplifting, empowering, and educating others.

Karen's growth mindset and spirit of generosity create profound impact. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself, opened doors to her vast network that I didn't know existed, and shared insights that fundamentally changed how I approach business challenges. Her desire to give back isn't just admirable, it's transformative for everyone fortunate enough to work with her.

Whether through her programs, a roundtable discussion, or even a single conversation, Karen will expand your thinking, strengthen your leadership, and accelerate your growth. I recommend anyone and everyone find a way to connect with and learn from Karen Spencer. Your professional journey will never be the same.

- David Lovejoy, Recommendation on LinkedIn

As my narrative improved, investors started coming to me.

I joined the EtA Launch Hub cohort bootcamp (managed by Fetch Strategies) as an early-stage searcher seeking information and insight. I found a community that’s constructive and welcoming. The sessions helped me tighten my thesis, understand accelerator paths, and prepare for real investor conversations. As my narrative improved, investors started coming to me. If you want momentum and a thoughtful peer group, this is a good place to start.
Nygina Mills, LinkedIn recommendation.

Karen cultivates an open, inclusive community ... to support a truly global cohort.

I met Karen through her work at Searchfunder and later took her intensive Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (EtA) course. She brings sharp legal and strategic insight, along with practical tools, that clarified my path and enhanced my understanding of this complex area. Karen cultivates an open, inclusive community and goes the extra mile to guide past and current mentees, coordinating across time zones to support a truly global cohort. I recommend Karen to any aspiring or current entrepreneur looking for momentum, clarity, and candid support

Andrew Brady, Scotland, LinkedIn Recommendation

If you’re running a business while also considering a purchase, I highly recommend Karen’s programs.

I joined Karen’s CEO Roundtable while leading my own company and exploring Entrepreneurial through Acquisition (EtA). The experience provided me with the clarity and practical direction I needed. I gained real strategies, a clear understanding of the various EtA paths (independent, traditional, and investor-backed), and a better insight into buyer perspectives, which significantly improved how I track and manage my own finances.

The community is open, diverse, and genuinely welcoming, making it easy to share openly and learn from my peers. The program structure,VAULT, the EtA Launch Hub, one-on-one sessions, and the roundtable itself, fostered accountability without ego and saved me valuable time by clarifying the next steps.

If you’re running a business while also considering a purchase, I highly recommend Karen’s programs. They offer the clarity, operational benefits, and support you need to move forward with confidence.
- Garcon Morweh, LinkedIn Recommendation

If you’re serious about buying a business, Karen’s programs deliver practical value fast.

If you’re serious about buying a business, Karen’s programs deliver practical value fast. I participated in her EtA Launch Hub program. I got fantastic introductions to a lot of key people in the space and once you're part of Karen's network, there are many more introductions and amazing people that you can meet through her for later stages of your journey, after you buy your business.

Karen hosts circles, Whatsapp group, & other events that keep you connected to new opportunities, ways of thinking and people.

Also recommend just spending some time with her 1/on-1 to get to know her. She is super kind and generous.

And when you can, you know, serve her up and intro or something to add value. She's really dedicated to the ETA community.

Yvette Owo, LinkedIn Recommendation.

I got more out of the very first session than the 10K I spent on another program.

I had my mind blown at least once every session.

“Thank you, Karen! It has been a real pleasure and privilege to participate in this program. I had my mind blown at least once every session. From the amazing guest speakers you brought in to my impressive classmates, my understanding of what’s possible and what’s required has fundamentally changed. This was like a mini MBA/accelerator. Fingers crossed for our cohort to have a couple of acquisitions this year!”

Ya'll this program rocks.

“Ya'll this program rocks. I was paid nothing to say this! I was not asked to post. The program is great. The community is great and Karen as your fearless leader is a shinning star. It's the type of group you join then want to give back to because you gain so much value from the experience.”

I still find myself referring to your notes... and I am grateful for that experience.”

I still find myself referring to your notes from Nuts and Bolts [the predecessor to EtA Launch Hub, and I am grateful for that experience.

I used Karen’s analysis framework to define the types of businesses I have the right to win and can successfully run.

Our initial conversation was incredibly helpful—the starting point I needed for this journey. I used Karen’s analysis framework to define the types of businesses I have the right to win and can successfully run. That foundational work has been invaluable and now directly informs my approach and criteria. https://fetchstrategies.com/realadvice/

I can’t think of a better mentor than Karen.

“Karen is a fantastic leader and changemaker.  She is mission-driven and values-based and has used her lifelong learnings to help foster opportunities for others.  If you are looking to learn more about Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, I can’t think of a better mentor than Karen.’

– Ron Wexler, NextGen

Our CEO Roundtable is a private, application-only community for active CEOs and founders focused on transformative growth through honest conversation and experience-sharing. We welcome acquisition, startup, and SMB founders with a “Pay It Forward” spirit. We meet virtually on the first Thursday of every month to openly share insights, collaborate, and support each other to drive positive business outcomes.


We believe in keeping our Roundtable accessible for leaders at every stage, which is why we’re offering a special introductory rate. As the community grows, so will the resources and benefits you receive—ensuring your investment remains both fair and valuable for years to come.

Accelerate Your Business Buying Journey Today

Join a program where facts, data, and real experience guide your EtA journey.

EtA Launch Hub (2026 cohort)

  • Starts Jan 2, 2026

Prepare to buy a business through a 90‑day, cohort‑based program. Develop a sharp EtA pitch, a practical search and financing plan, and a supportive peer network. Get ongoing guidance through peer and expert sessions, CEO Roundtables for operators, and 1:1 mentor meetings—plus investor and lender feedback and real‑world action steps for a more confident journey. Start now. Click FAQ for the syllabus and more.

NEW! ETA PitchRef evaluation system

AI‑enhanced feedback on your EtA narrative

ETA PitchRef is our proprietary, evidence‑based narrative evaluation system designed specifically for acquisition entrepreneurs.

In the Lab, you will:

  • Record a 2–5 minute draft pitch (spoken or read)

  • Get immediate, live feedback from Karen

  • Receive a written PitchRef report, benchmarked against a multi‑part rubric informed by thousands of EtA conversations inside VAULT.

Your report highlights how you’re showing up as a searcher, where your narrative can be strengthened, and a short list of prioritized next steps you can use right away in investor, lender, and seller conversations.

Learn More

  • Included as part of the EtA Launch Hub (2026 cohort)

  • Available to graduate fellows as a one‑off complimentary session

We are also open to collaborating with investors, accelerators, universities, and others who want to pilot our ETA PitchRef or the Pitch Perfect system for startups with their aspiring entrepreneurs.

Course Selection

Entrepeneurship through acquisition

Course Selector

Learning that suits your pace and life.

Events

Upcoming Sessions & Events

Sponsored by Vault, the EtA Digital Video Channel

Free Resources for Acquisition Entrepreneurs