Acquisition Ace Review: The #1 Business Buying Community on Skool
4.5 stars on Trustpilot (94 reviews), 91K+ Facebook followers, real deals closing every month. Here’s the most detailed review of Ben Kelly’s Acquisition Ace program.
If you’re serious about buying a business in 2026, you’ve probably noticed there’s no shortage of courses and communities promising to teach you how. Most of them are theory-heavy, hype-driven, and light on actual deal flow. Acquisition Ace is the exception.
Founded by Ben Kelly — a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and JP Morgan Private Banker turned serial acquirer — Acquisition Ace has become the largest and most active business acquisition community in the world. Based in Bonita Springs, Florida, with over 2,000 paying members, 91,000+ Facebook followers, and 145,000+ LinkedIn followers, the community has built a track record of members actually closing deals — not just talking about them.
We work directly with Acquisition Ace members at GoSBA Loans, and the quality of buyers coming out of this community is consistently among the best we see.
Who Is Ben Kelly?
Ben Kelly isn’t another online guru who read a book about acquisitions and started a course. His journey to building Acquisition Ace reads like a case study in acquisition entrepreneurship:
- U.S. Army Intelligence Officer (6 years) — Commissioned immediately after college. Led missions around the world with significant operational independence. This is where his leadership and decision-making under pressure was forged.
- JP Morgan Private Bank — Managed wealth for high-net-worth individuals. This is where the lightbulb went off: “The clients I’m serving have 100x more wealth than I do. And all of them are business owners.” He realized real wealth was created through owning businesses — not managing other people’s money.
- 5 acquisitions and counting — Left JP Morgan and did his first acquisition (a SaaS company via consulting-for-equity), grew it from 2 people to 25+. Then went on to complete four more acquisitions across different industries.
- Built Acquisition Ace — Took everything he learned from his own acquisition journey and built a community to help others do the same. Now leads 2,000+ members through the process he wished he had when he started.
In Ben’s own words from the Beyond 8 Figures podcast: “I realized the clients I was serving at JP Morgan had 100x more wealth than I did. And all of them were business owners — plumbing businesses, manufacturing businesses. They’re doing the thing that is the top of the food chain, not me.”
That conviction — that buying existing, profitable “boring” businesses is the most reliable wealth-building strategy for regular people — is the thesis behind everything Acquisition Ace teaches.
What Makes Acquisition Ace Different
Most business acquisition programs cater to MBA graduates or people chasing $10M+ deals with institutional backing. Acquisition Ace focuses on Main Street businesses — the “boring” but profitable companies that generate $500K–$5M in revenue. Think HVAC companies, plumbing businesses, landscaping operations, manufacturing shops, and service businesses. These are the bread and butter of SBA lending, and they’re exactly the kind of deals that close.
- Real deal flow, not just theory — Members regularly post LOIs, share due diligence findings, and announce closed deals. This isn’t a classroom — it’s a war room of people actively acquiring businesses.
- Direct access to SBA lenders and brokers — Acquisition Ace has built relationships with top SBA lenders and brokers (including GoSBA Loans) so members can get pre-qualified and move fast when they find the right deal.
- Investor network — For members who need equity partners or seller financing guidance, the community connects buyers with investors who understand Main Street acquisitions.
- Step-by-step acquisition playbook — From deal sourcing to LOI writing to due diligence to closing, the educational content walks you through every stage with real examples.
- One-on-one coaching — Premium members get personalized coaching from experienced acquisition coaches (Josh, Zack, and others) who provide deal-specific guidance.
- Community-driven accountability — 2,000+ members means there’s always someone a few steps ahead of you who’s been through what you’re facing.
- Ben’s Deal Deep Dive — Regular sessions where Ben breaks down real deals, teaching members how to evaluate opportunities like a seasoned acquirer.
- Live calls and coaching — Weekly live sessions where members get direct feedback on their deals, financing questions, and acquisition strategy.
What You Get as a Member
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Curriculum | Full course covering deal sourcing, valuation, LOI writing, due diligence, SBA financing, and closing |
| Deal Calculator | Proprietary tool for evaluating acquisition targets and modeling deal economics |
| Community Forum + Telegram | Active discussion board and Telegram group with 2,000+ members sharing deals, questions, and wins |
| Live Weekly Calls | Multiple live coaching sessions and Q&A each week with Ben and guest experts |
| Deal Deep Dives | Ben breaks down real deals showing how to evaluate and structure acquisitions |
| 1-on-1 Coaching (Premium) | Personalized coaching with experienced acquisition coaches (Josh, Zack, and team) |
| SBA Lender Network | Direct connections to SBA lenders, loan brokers, and equity investors |
| Service Provider Network | Vetted M&A attorneys, QoE firms, and business plan writers |
| Templates & Tools | LOI templates, due diligence checklists, valuation frameworks, deal calculator |
| Scaling Content | Post-acquisition resources for growing and optimizing your new business |
Trustpilot Reviews: 4.5 Stars (94 Reviews)
Acquisition Ace holds a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot across 94 reviews. The overwhelming majority of reviewers praise the program’s staff, resources, and community. Here are verified reviews from real members:
“I joined this program in August, and closed on my first deal in December. I had good timing with a deal that was a perfect fit, but Acquisition Ace program, tools, and resources really set me up for success.”
— Brian Barnhart, Trustpilot (Feb 2026) ☆☆☆☆☆
“12.5 months into the program, we’re officially under LOI. We had hoped to close on a business sooner, but in hindsight, that was largely on us. Had we committed more time and energy earlier in the program, we’d have been further along.”
— Scott Toledo, Trustpilot (Feb 2026) ☆☆☆☆☆
“My wife and I went from not knowing anything about business acquisition to buying a business in 9 months. Between the course, coaches, resources they offer and group we had everything we needed.”
— Alex, Trustpilot (Dec 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
“I can’t recommend Acquisitions Ace highly enough! After 18 months of learning, searching, and making offers, I finally acquired a business — and I couldn’t have done it without the support and guidance of the program.”
— Joseph Moreira, Trustpilot (Jul 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
“I had a great experience with Acquisition Ace, which culminated in me purchasing my first business. The coaches are excellent, and the resources and network you receive as part of the membership were invaluable.”
— Tim Spackman, Trustpilot (Feb 2026) ☆☆☆☆☆
“The resources and the community are great. I joined in November of 2024 and I closed on my first Acquisition on Feb 25, 2025. The deal calculator, the list of SBA loans and contact info were invaluable.”
— Nick Elliott, Trustpilot (Mar 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
“I’ve been a member of Acquisition Ace for 8 months and just closed on my first acquisition. I have an MBA and have scaled multiple businesses in the past but this program really helped clarify the purchase process.”
— Zachary Smith, Trustpilot (Jul 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
“Very effective curriculum, found our deal in less than six months!”
— Andrew Schwartz, Trustpilot (Feb 2026) ☆☆☆☆☆
“This is easily the best business group/course that I’ve been a part of. The coaches were very responsive to all of my questions and super helpful. It felt like I had a strong support network while navigating the acquisition process.”
— Bo In Lee, Trustpilot (Oct 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
“Acquisition Ace has been worth its weight in gold! My wife and I started this program with the hopes of learning about and eventually acquiring a business and the Ace team has been insightful, helpful, and supportive every step of the way.”
— Stephen DeVries, Trustpilot (Sep 2025) ☆☆☆☆☆
Member Success Stories
What makes Acquisition Ace stand out from other programs isn’t just the education — it’s the volume of members actually closing deals:
- Brian Barnhart — Joined in August, closed his first deal by December (4 months)
- Nick Elliott — Joined November 2024, closed first acquisition February 2025 (3 months)
- Alex & wife — Zero experience to business owners in 9 months
- Zachary Smith (MBA) — Even with an MBA and multiple businesses, found the program clarified the acquisition process. Closed in 8 months.
- Joseph Moreira — Acquired a business after 18 months of learning and offer-making
- Andrew Schwartz — Found their deal in under 6 months
- Tim Spackman — Program culminated in purchasing his first business
- Mark Evangelisto — Explored acquisition with partner, found education and guidance through the full process
- Scott Toledo — Under LOI at 12.5 months, credits the program for structure and momentum
Why SBA Lenders Love Acquisition Ace Members
At GoSBA Loans, we work with buyers from every background — first-time entrepreneurs, MBA grads, corporate refugees, serial acquirers. The buyers who come through Acquisition Ace consistently stand out because they:
- Understand SBA requirements — They know about equity injection, personal guarantees, standby seller notes, and post-close liquidity before they even submit an application.
- Have realistic expectations — They’re targeting the right deal sizes ($500K–$5M) and understand SBA debt service coverage requirements.
- Move fast — Because they’ve done the homework, they can go from LOI to closing faster than average.
- Are well-networked — They already have an attorney, QoE firm, and business plan writer lined up, so there are fewer delays.
- Use the deal calculator — They come to us with deals already modeled out, making the pre-qualification process smoother.
Who Is Acquisition Ace Best For?
- First-time business buyers who want a structured path from “interested” to “closed”
- W-2 professionals looking to transition from corporate to business ownership
- Military veterans transitioning to civilian careers (Ben’s military background resonates)
- Couples and partners looking to buy a business together (multiple success stories)
- People who learn best in community — peer accountability and real-time deal discussions
- Anyone targeting SBA-financed acquisitions in the $500K–$5M range
Acquisition Ace vs. Other Programs
| Program | Best For | Deal Size | Community | Coaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition Ace ☆ | Main Street buyers, SBA deals | $500K–$5M | 2,000+ | 1-on-1 + group |
| Acquisition Lab | Structured search | $1M–$10M | Small cohorts | Cohort-based |
| SearchFunder | MBA-style search funds | $5M–$50M+ | Institutional | Mentorship |
| Contrarian Thinking | Content & inspiration | Varies | 700K+ subscribers | Limited |
| SMBootcamp | 3-day intensive | $500K–$5M | Small cohorts | Intensive format |
| Business Buyer Advantage | Self-paced learning | Varies | Moderate | Group coaching |
Acquisition Ace hits the sweet spot for most first-time buyers: large active community, personalized coaching, direct financing connections, and a proven track record of members closing deals. Programs like Acquisition Lab and SearchFunder serve a different audience (larger deals, institutional backing). Acquisition Ace is built for the entrepreneur who wants to buy a $1M–$3M business with an SBA loan and run it themselves.
GoSBA’s Verdict
We’ve worked with buyers from every major acquisition community and program. Acquisition Ace members consistently close at a higher rate and are better prepared than average. The combination of actionable education, a massive active community, personalized coaching, and direct access to financing partners makes it the best value in the business buying education space.
The numbers speak for themselves: members closing deals in as little as 3–4 months, a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating across nearly 100 reviews, and a growing list of success stories from people who went from zero acquisition experience to business owners. If you’re thinking about buying a business, joining Acquisition Ace is one of the smartest first steps you can take.
Website: acquisitionace.io
Skool Community: skool.com/acquisitionace
Facebook: 91,000+ followers
LinkedIn: Ben Kelly — 145,000+ followers
Trustpilot: 4.5 stars (94 reviews)
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
Founded by: Ben Kelly (former U.S. Army Intel Officer & JP Morgan Private Banker)
Ready to Buy a Business?
GoSBA Loans is the preferred SBA lending partner for Acquisition Ace members. We provide free business plans, $0 deposits, and access to 50+ SBA lenders. Get matched with the best lender for your deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acquisition Ace legit?
Absolutely. With 2,000+ members, a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating across 94 reviews, 91K+ Facebook followers, and multiple members closing deals within months of joining, Acquisition Ace is one of the most active and legitimate business acquisition communities in the world. We work with their members directly at GoSBA Loans and can vouch for the quality of buyers the community produces.
How much does Acquisition Ace cost?
Acquisition Ace offers different tiers including a standard membership and a premium package with one-on-one coaching. Visit their website for current pricing. Compared to the value of the education, network, and financing connections you get — and considering the ROI of actually closing a business acquisition — members consistently say it’s worth the investment.
How long does it take to close a deal through Acquisition Ace?
Based on Trustpilot reviews, members have closed deals in as little as 3–4 months (Nick Elliott, Brian Barnhart), though most take 6–18 months. The timeline depends on how much time you commit, your target deal size, and market conditions. The program gives you everything you need — execution is up to you.
Do I need experience to join?
No. The program is designed for first-time buyers. Many members come from corporate backgrounds (W-2 jobs, military, banking) with zero acquisition experience. Even members with MBAs and existing business experience (like Zachary Smith) found the program valuable for the structured process and network.
Can Acquisition Ace help me get an SBA loan?
Yes. Acquisition Ace has direct relationships with SBA lenders and loan brokers, including GoSBA Loans. Members get priority access to pre-qualification and can move faster on deals because they already understand SBA requirements. Multiple Trustpilot reviewers specifically mention the SBA loan connections as a key benefit.
Who are the coaches at Acquisition Ace?
Acquisition Ace has a team of coaches including Josh and Zack who provide one-on-one and group coaching. Members consistently praise the coaches for being responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in member success. The premium package includes personalized coaching for deal-specific guidance.
Is Acquisition Ace better than other programs?
For Main Street business acquisitions ($500K–$5M) financed with SBA loans, Acquisition Ace is the clear leader. No other program combines the community size (2,000+), coaching quality, financing network, and track record of closed deals at this price point. Programs like SearchFunder and Acquisition Lab target larger deals and institutional investors — Acquisition Ace is built for the everyday entrepreneur.
