Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: The Full Operating Cycle

What really happens after  you buy a business?

Organised by our Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Community of alumni and students, this event aims to be an operator-led conversation on the realities of running a business post-acquisition. Through a panel we'll be looking to focus on what it actually takes to lead, operate, grow (and in some cases exit!) a business after the acquisiton agreement is signed...

Whether you’re actively searching or just curious about ETA as a path, this session is designed to provide a grounded, real-world insight into the full operating cycle; and we're priviledged to bring to you 3 speakers in various stages of operating a business:

Speakers

Nikita Gossain

Successfully acquired, operated, and exited Smokeshield. Now investing in small business acquisitions through PPR Capital, bringing a full-cycle perspective from buyer to operator to investor.

Jordon Gibson

Two years into operating Multipac Australia, a packaging manufacturer he acquired in 2024. Jordon will share lessons from navigating growth, people, and capital decisions in an industrial B2B environment.

Tim Stevenson

Five months into operating Transrock, a third-generation landscaping materials business. Tim offers a fresh, on-the-ground view of the critical first 100 days post-acquisition and early leadership transition challenges.

 

What we'll cover

• The transition from buyer to operator
• Early operational surprises and lessons
• Managing people, cash flow, and momentum post-acquisition
• Growth versus stability decisions
• Reflections on exits and long-term ownership

 

Giving back

All ticket proceeds will be donated to Social Ventures Australia, supporting innovative approaches to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage across Australia. Link here

Note: This event is organised by the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Community leaders and not by Melbourne Business School. The school is grateful to Jase Berry (MBA 2025), Jerom Geerts (MBA student), Ashley Alfs (MBA 2015) and Tim Wong (MBA 2014) for leading this event.