#1 M&A Summit for 7-9 Figure Entrepreneurs
Oct 19–21, 2026 | Austin, TX
#1 M&A Summit for 7-9 Figure Entrepreneurs
Oct 19–21, 2026 | Austin, TX
The Most Overlooked Way to Grow Enterprise Value by 50%
Join 100+ vetted entrepreneurs in Austin to learn the exact M&A frameworks used to scale faster, exit stronger, and build platform value, even if you have never done a deal.
Scale By Acquiring, Not Overworking
We ran out of money and then one $15M acquisition took us from $331K to $100M in three years.
As I learned, the fastest-scaling entrepreneurs aren't grinding harder, they're acquiring smarter.
The thing is, the fastest-scaling entrepreneurs aren’t the ones grinding, they’re the ones acquiring.
If you already run a 7-9 figure successful business, you have the ultimate advantage: you can scale faster and more reliably through one acquisition than through launching a new product line, opening a new sales channel, or three years of organic growth combined.
One deal beats two years of hiring, building, and hoping. And the math isn't even close.
DealCon delivers the exact M&A playbook for sourcing, financing, structuring, and integrating deals, without millions in capital or a bloated team.
Why Smart CEOs
Choose Acquisition Over Organic Growth Earlier
Organic growth: 5 years at 10% growth yields 50% growth in enterprise value. Strategic acquisition: one acquisition per year yields 1,200% growth in the same timeframe.
Most founders put their resources into new hires or channels that barely move the needle.
The ones who scale fastest invest that same effort into acquisitions — and compress a decade of growth into 12 months.
Planning to exit?
75% of businesses listed for sale never close. Strategic pre-exit acquisitions that increase EBITDA by 30%+ and demonstrate rollup capability can add 1-2x to your exit multiple.
During this LIVE event…
We’ll hand you the blueprint to end the feast-and-famine cycle, build a motivated succession bench, pull leadership out of the weeds, and accelerate scale.
Scale your digital gangey or brand with repeatable systems
Buy the right businesses (and integrate fast)
Sell for maximum value—on your terms
Scale your digital agency or brand with repeatable systems
Buy the right businesses (and integrate fast)
Sell for maximum value—on your terms
Your Three-Day M&A Execution Blueprint
The Systematic M&A Framework: From Deal Sourcing to Exit Maximization
Three days. Actionable frameworks. Zero theory.
What you will walk away with…
DEAL SOURCING & BUYING THE RIGHT BUSINESS
- A repeatable acquisition strategy you can execute immediately
- Criteria for high-impact targets
- A system for generating quality off-market deal flow
- How to identify motivated sellers
STRUCTURING, NEGOTIATION & VALUATION
- Negotiation tactics that experienced buyers use
- Legal + due diligence fundamentals
- Valuation drivers and how to influence them
- Creative structures (seller financing, earn-outs, equity swaps)
INTEGRATION, SCALING & EXIT
- Integration strategies that lift EBITDA fast
- Exit frameworks that add 30–50% to your sale price
- Case studies from founders who’ve exited for 8–9 figures
Who Will Be in the Room
Founders running serious revenue
Buyers actively acquiring
Capital partners who fund deals
Advisors and attorneys from real transactions
Entrepreneurs who scale through M&A, not theory
Why Attend
You’re not coming for motivation.
You’re coming for deal flow, relationships, clarity, and leverage.
Who is in the room
A curated network of entrepreneurs who scale through M&A
7–9 figure founders ready to acquire
Serial acquirers executing 3-10 deals per year
Exit-focused CEOs planning 2026-2027 liquidity
Debt and equity partners funding lower middle-market deals
M&A attorneys, investment bankers, and transaction advisors
Integration, operations, and AI experts
You’re not coming for motivation…you’re coming for deal flow, relationships, and leverage.
Meet the Speakers
Learn From Experts With Hundreds of Deals Closed
<< Swipe LEFT or RIGHT for more speakers >>
Why Most Founders Don’t Do Acquisitions.
Reason #1:
"I Don't Have the Capital"
THE REAL TRUTH:
Most first-time buyers at DealCon acquire companies with minimal cash upfront because they understand how to use creative structures.
The average DealCon deal structure:
49% Seller Note
36% Third-Party Financing (SBA, private lenders, revenue-based lenders)
10% Buyer Equity
5% Creative Structures (earn-outs, holdbacks, performance incentives)
Translation:
You can acquire a company for less than 10% cash down, and often zero. Capital isn’t the constraint. Knowing the structure is.
Reason #2:
“I need a full M&A team.”
THE REAL TRUTH:
Most successful DealCon buyers DO NOT build an internal M&A department before their first deal or even their second. They stayed lean, built a deal-ready advisory team, and scale only when volume demanded it.
What you actually need for your first acquisition:
A QoE-focused fractional CFO who understands deals
A fast pace, deal-tested M&A attorney who is a deal maker
A lender or capital partner aligned with your strategy
Clear strategic fit and CEO-level decision authority
What you DO NOT need through your first few acquisitions:
A full-time head of corp dev
Full time M&A and integration team
Complex processes
Leverage comes from the right relationships at the right moment, not premature headcount.
Reason #3:
"Only for Large Businesses"
THE REAL TRUTH:
Most acquisitions do not happen at Fortune 500 companies.
They happen in the lower middle market, where entrepreneurs buy businesses that are small enough to move quickly and large enough to change the trajectory of their company.
The reality:
The majority of U.S. acquisitions are under $10M in enterprise value
These deals are often owner-to-owner, not institutional
Speed and conviction matter more than scale or brand name
What makes acquisitions accessible at this level:
Sellers who value certainty, continuity, and fit over the highest headline price
Financing structures designed for operating businesses, not corporations
Opportunities that are invisible to big companies because they are “too small”
Yes! I Want to Learn this Proven Process
Your Conference Experience
A Three-Day Journey
Workshops with Impact
Discovery Sessions
Dinners + Experiences
A Powerful Network
Access to Industry Experts
What past attendees have to say...
<< Swipe LEFT or RIGHT for more speakers >>
This Isn't a Conference.
It's a Curated Deal-Making Network.
Every attendee is vetted.
You’re entering a high-trust ecosystem where deals actually get done.
Tom Shipley personally vets every single attendee. Here's exactly who you'll meet in Austin:
7-9 figure revenue, ready to scale through acquisition
Scaling to second and third acquisitions
$50M-$300M companies building multi-company platforms through rollup strategy
Every attendee is a decision-maker with veto capacity
Not for Everyone - And That's the Point
No Consultants or service providers
No aspiring founders.
No corporate wanderers.
No unvetted attendees.
If you’re running a real business and ready to acquire, you belong in this room.
SECURE YOUR PLACE
Early Bird Sale Now On!
Three Days. One Mission.
Scale Through Acquisition.
DAY 1: Deal Boardroom Blueprint
→ Sourcing
→ Target Criteria
→ Generating Deal Flow
→ Motivated Sellers
→ Legal Approach
DAY 2: Deal Making to Integration
→ Valuation
→ Structures
→ Integration
→ Leading the Combined Company
→ Deep-Dive Due Diligence
DAY 3: Scaling, Funding & Exits
→ Funding options
→ Creative capital
→ Pre-exit acquisitions
→ 50% valuation lift strategies
Day 3: Bonus Exit Track
Exiting in the Next 18 - 24 Months?
You’ll learn:
What buyers actually pay premiums for
How to structure your company for maximum multiple
How to negotiate terms that protect you
The 12–18 month roadmap to exiting at your number
Roughly 70–80% of businesses that go to market never close a sale.
DealCon shows you how to avoid the mistakes that quietly kill most exits.
One Acquisition Pre-Exit Can Potentially Add $5M-$15M to Your Sale Price.
Choose Your DealCon Experience
100 vetted entrepreneurs.
When seats are gone, they’re gone.
General Admission
$3,997
(Save $1,500)
$2,497
What’s Included:
General Admission gives you full access to the sessions, the networking, and the DealCon community. It is the core experience for founders who want to learn the foundations of acquisition driven growth.
Welcome Networking Cocktail Reception
Full access to all sessions and networking
Special Closing Dinner with Surprise Speaker
All breakfast and lunches included
Access to Event Private Slack Channel
LOI templates / deal structure frameworks
30-day post-event Slack community access
DealMaker Access
$4,797
$3,247
Most Popular
What’s Included:
Dealmaker is for the founder who wants to arrive with a clear plan and leave with real momentum. It is built for those ready to advance from learning about acquisitions to acting on them with guidance and access.
🔥 All of General Admission PLUS:
Pre-Event 1 on 1 Strategy Call with Tom or Matt
Acquisition & Exit Strategy 1 on 1 Advisory Session (Post-event with Tom or Matt)
Curated introductions to capital & M&A advisors
Pre-event attendee directory access so you walk in knowing whom to meet
Priority front-row seating
60-day private Slack channel w/ Q&A access
VIP Experience
$5,847
$4,347
Best Experience
What’s Included:
VIP Experience is for the founder who values access at the highest level. It is designed for those who want deeper conversations, private experiences, and the kind of proximity that accelerates deals, capital, and relationships.
🔥 All of Dealmaker Pass PLUS:
Private VIP Dinner w/ Tom & Matt
Private VIP Austin Experience with special guests
One on One Deal Review Advisory Sessions (with Tom or Matt)
Priority Capital Introductions (curated through 1-on-1)
Advanced Integration Workshop (post event bonus session)
Exit Prep Workshop (post event bonus session)
60 Page Integration Playbook + video walkthrough
Private VIP Lounge
Secure Your Seat Now, Decide Later
DealCon is a closed-room event with limited seating.
To make it easy to commit early and lock in current pricing, tickets are 100% refundable through September 30th, 2026, giving you flexibility as plans come together. After that date, seats are finalized and tickets become non-refundable.
Why Early Registration Matters
DealCon keeps the room intentionally small (120 attendees max).
Every Past DealCon Has Sold Out. Once it's full, it's full. We don't want you to miss out.
Early Bird Pricing Ends In
This Year’s DealCon Sponsors
interested in sponsoring dealcon?
Join an Elite Network of Visionary Leaders
Becoming a DealCon sponsor means positioning your brand at the heart of the M&A and entrepreneurial ecosystem. With access to high-caliber attendees—CEOs, founders, and business leaders—you’ll connect with decision-makers actively driving growth through acquisitions and innovation.
Explore how a partnership with DealCon can elevate your brand.
AUSTIN: THE PERFECT SETTING FOR DEALCON
Archer Hotel | Austin, TX: 3121 Palm Way, Austin, TX 78758.
Located in the heart of Austin’s business and innovation district
DealCon Austin brings together serious operators, $1M–$100M founders, acquirers, capital partners, and dealmakers who are actively buying, selling, and scaling through M&A. This isn’t a conference for spectators. It’s a room for people playing offense.
Austin is where strategy meets execution. The energy is sharp, the conversations are direct, and the people in the room are building real businesses, not pitch decks. The value of DealCon isn’t just what happens on stage. It’s the access to people who are actually doing deals right now.
The real leverage happens between sessions. Early-morning coffee meetings. Long lunches that turn into frameworks. Dinners that become partnerships. Late-night conversations that lead to acquisitions, capital, and momentum. This is where trust gets built, and trust is what closes deals.
Our Austin host hotel keeps everyone in the same orbit. Staying on-site means fewer distractions and more collisions with the right people—buyers, sellers, lenders, and operators who think in decades, not quarters. The environment is designed for focus, clarity, and real connection.
A limited block of discounted rooms is available and typically fills fast. If you want the full DealCon experience of maximum access, maximum leverage, this is where you stay.
Highlights from previous events
Previous DealCon Speakers
We’ve been privileged to host some of the brightest minds and most accomplished leaders in the world of mergers, acquisitions, and entrepreneurial growth. Our speakers are not only experts in their fields but also passionate about sharing actionable insights to help attendees achieve exponential growth.
Here’s a Look at Some of Our Esteemed Past Speakers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about DealCon 2026
Q: What are the event dates?
A: Monday, October 19th - Wednesday, October 21th, 2026.
Q: Where is the event located?
A: Archer Hotel, Austin, TX: 3121 Palm Way, Austin, TX 78758.
Q: Is there a group rate for the hotel?
A: Yes, discounted room blocks will be available. Details will be sent shortly after registration
Q: Do you offer cancellations/refunds?
A: Yes, 100% money-back guarantee for any cancellations before September 30th after which DealCon gives a event credit towards future events. Plus, Tom personally calls attendees beforehand to ensure fit. We'd rather refund than have someone in the room who shouldn't be there.
Q: Can I buy multiple tickets for my team?
A: Absolutely. We recommend bringing partners or senior team members. Contact us for group pricing (5+ tickets).
Q: Can my spouse or children attend?
A: Spouse is welcome (separate ticket required). Event is not appropriate for young children. This is a professional business event.
Q: What will the event schedule be?
A: See detailed agenda above. Full schedule with session times sent 30 days before event.
Q: Can you accommodate physical limitations?
A: Yes. Contact us with specific needs and we'll make arrangements.
Q: Can I sponsor this event?
A: Yesl Sponsorship opportunities available. Learn more here.
Q: What industries qualify for this event?
A: ALL industries. Our attendees acquire: agencies, brands, SAAS, professional services, manufacturers, and more. M&A frameworks are universal-only industry details change.
Still have questions? Contact us at support[at]dealboardroom[dot]com
Your Next Decision
Determines Your Next Decade
"You've already built something significant. You know how to execute. The only question now: Will you scale linearly for the next five years, or collapse time through strategic acquisition?
The frameworks are proven. The community is vetted. The opportunity is now.
Seating is limited in Austin. DealCon has sold out 3 consecutive years.
This isn't about motivation—it's about momentum."
— Tom Shipley
