Columbia ETA Club Co-Presidents: 'Emphasis on People' Drives Search-Fund Growth

As a growing number of MBA students become interested in Entrepreneurship-Through-Acquisition (ETA), a proper understanding of the challenges involved in finding and running a business is essential, say Austin Fruchter and Rohit Datta, Co-Presidents of the Columbia Business School ETA Club. 

The Columbia ETA Club provides students with exposure to the ETA process, connecting them with investors, operators, and service providers to better understand the search opportunity. “Search is a relatively lonely process,” says Datta, adding that the club also plays a crucial role in building a support network for students before and after they graduate.

Over the past year, interest in Columbia’s ETA club has surged, with events doubling and more students engaging in the ecosystem. 

In a candid interview with Search Party, Fruchter and Datta describe common traits among ETA-oriented MBA students. Many are drawn to the tangible nature of small business ownership, seeking to step away from high-level corporate roles in favor of hands-on leadership. However, misconceptions persist—particularly about the level of personal commitment and operational complexity involved. “Some students don’t realize how ‘dirty’ it can get,” says Fruchter.

The co-presidents also highlight the robust investor ecosystem surrounding Columbia’s ETA program. Investor interest is high, and Columbia students are encouraged to engage with potential backers early. “You don’t want your first interaction with an investor to be, ‘Hey, I need money,’” says Datta. 

Fruchter and Datta themselves plan to partner on a search fund after graduation, and they discuss the benefits of partnered search. “It’s incredibly impactful to have someone who pushes you and refines your thinking,” says Fruchter. 

Datta, who previously co-founded a SaaS company, agrees, noting that the right partnership can mitigate individual weaknesses.

Looking ahead, the Columbia ETA leaders see institutional capital increasingly moving into the space. But they hope the ETA community’s emphasis on people remains its defining trait. “The people in the business drive the value creation,” says Fruchter. “Taking care of employees and empowering your team is a major factor behind the success of search-acquired businesses.”

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