Seth Shaner
Search fund and ETA advisor for aspiring acquirers
| Hourly rate range | $80 to $160 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Founders and business owners |
| Also coaches | Executive coach |
| Credentials | BS in Finance, University of Utah |
Seth Shaner is a search fund and ETA advisor who helps aspiring entrepreneurs find, fund and run a business they buy. He is the CEO of CRU, a franchised nightlife chain with 15 locations in 5 states. He was a Vice President at GE Capital and President of Sunrise Restaurants. He has worked in venture capital, private equity and strategy consulting. He has coached 18 people, including more than 10 search fund and ETA clients.
What Seth helps with
Seth works with people who want to buy a business through a search fund or ETA path. He covers the steps from forming a thesis to running the company.
- Developing an investment thesis
- Choosing industries and companies to target
- Sourcing deals
- Running due diligence
- Building a funding strategy
- Selecting investors
- Managing a board and investors
- Planning operations after the purchase
Who Seth works with
Seth works with aspiring search fund entrepreneurs. These are people planning to acquire a business and become its CEO. He helps them from the early search stage through investor outreach, funding and operating the company.
Background and qualifications
Seth has worked in venture capital, private equity and at a top 5 strategy consulting firm. He was a Vice President at GE Capital, where he originated loans for 30 franchised restaurant brands. He later became President of Sunrise Restaurants, part of WKS Restaurant Group. He has operated 200+ restaurants with $200MM in revenue over 15 years. He owned two small businesses, and one of them had a successful exit. He holds a BS in Finance from the University of Utah, where he co-founded the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge and the University Venture Fund. He is now CEO of CRU.
Seth Shaner pricing
Programs and services
- 5-hour coaching package on defining an investment thesis
- Hourly coaching on investor outreach materials
Seth Shaner reviews
The CoachVouch take
He has financed franchised restaurant brands at GE Capital and now runs a franchised chain as CEO, so he knows both the funding and operating sides of a buyout.
Best for aspiring search fund entrepreneurs who want help with thesis, funding and investors.
Common questions
How much does Seth Shaner charge?
Coaching with Seth runs $80 to $160 an hour. Message Seth from this page for an exact quote.
What does Seth Shaner help with?
Seth Shaner helps with developing an investment thesis, choosing industries and companies to target, sourcing deals and running due diligence.
Is Seth Shaner certified?
Seth Shaner lists: BS in Finance, University of Utah.
Has Seth coached search fund entrepreneurs before?
Yes. He has more than 10 search fund and ETA clients and has coached 18 people in total.
What parts of the search fund process does Seth cover?
He covers thesis development, deal sourcing, due diligence, funding strategy and investor selection. He also helps with board and investor management and operational strategy.
How do I contact Seth Shaner?
Send Seth a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.