What Is Mainshares?
When it comes to democratizing small business ownership in America, few companies have made as much impact as Mainshares — now operating under the brand American Operator. With a network of over 1,300 accredited investors and a focus on deals ranging from $1 million to $20 million, Mainshares has built one of the most robust platforms for connecting acquisition entrepreneurs with the capital they need to buy and operate small businesses.
The company’s mission is both patriotic and practical: revive the American Dream by acquiring small businesses from retiring owners and partnering them with the next generation of proven industry operators. In an era where large private equity firms are rolling up Main Street businesses into faceless conglomerates, Mainshares is fighting to keep small businesses locally owned and operated.
From Mainshares to American Operator
Mainshares has evolved significantly since its founding. The company now operates primarily under the American Operator brand, reflecting its expanded mission and operational model. While the core platform — connecting investors with SMB acquisition opportunities — remains the same, the rebranding signals a deeper commitment to the operator-centric model that has become their hallmark.
The American Operator model works like this:
- Identify great small businesses that are ready for ownership transitions — typically because the founder is retiring and needs a succession plan.
- Match each business with a talented operator who has the skills, experience, and drive to lead the company into its next chapter.
- Acquire the business alongside the operator, with the operator receiving meaningful Day 1 ownership plus a full salary and benefits.
- Provide ongoing support through a seasoned advisory team, governance structure, and operational resources.
- Allow the operator to earn majority ownership over time, ensuring the business ultimately returns to local, independent ownership.
This model is powerful because it aligns the interests of everyone involved: the retiring owner gets a trusted successor, the operator gets a path to business ownership, investors get returns from a well-run business, and the community retains a locally owned employer.
The Mainshares Investor Network
One of Mainshares’ greatest strengths is its investor network. With over 1,300 accredited investors, the platform has the capital depth to fund deals across a wide range of sizes and industries.
What Makes This Network Special
- Scale: 1,300+ investors means there is almost always enough capital available for a qualified deal. This is a significant advantage over working with a single family office or angel investor, where capital availability can be unpredictable.
- Diversity: The investor base includes a mix of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and experienced business operators. This diversity brings different perspectives, connections, and expertise to each deal.
- Deal range: With the ability to fund deals from $1 million to $20 million, Mainshares covers a broad spectrum of SMB acquisitions — from small service businesses to larger manufacturing or distribution companies.
- Capital raising infrastructure: Mainshares provides the technology and processes to raise capital efficiently, including investor communications, deal documentation, and compliance management.
- Investor reporting: After the deal closes, Mainshares provides ongoing investor reporting, keeping capital partners informed about business performance and key metrics.
How Mainshares Enables Zero-Down SBA Acquisitions
For readers focused on SBA-financed business acquisitions, Mainshares’ investor network is particularly valuable as a source of equity injection capital.
Here is the reality of buying a business with an SBA 7(a) loan: the lender will finance up to 90% of the total project cost, but you need to bring the remaining 10% from non-debt sources. This typically breaks down as:
- 5% seller note — the seller finances a portion of the deal, placed on full standby for 24 months per SBA requirements
- 5% equity injection — cash that comes from the buyer or outside investors
For a $5 million acquisition, that 5% equity injection equals $250,000. For a $10 million deal, it is $500,000. These are significant amounts that most first-time buyers cannot fund from personal savings alone.
This is where Mainshares shines. Their network of 1,300+ accredited investors can collectively provide the equity injection needed to close your SBA deal. Here is how the zero-down structure works:
- SBA 7(a) Loan: 90% of the purchase price. Your SBA-preferred lender provides the primary debt financing with competitive rates and terms up to 10-25 years.
- Seller Note: 5% on full standby. The seller carries a subordinated note that requires no payments for at least 24 months, satisfying SBA standby requirements.
- Mainshares Investor Equity: 5%. Investors from the Mainshares platform provide the equity injection. In return, they receive minority ownership in the business and participate in the upside over time.
The result: you acquire the business without investing any of your own capital. The SBA loan, seller note, and Mainshares equity combine to fund 100% of the transaction.
Want to learn more? Read our detailed guide: How to Buy a Business with Zero Down Using an SBA Loan.
The American Operator Difference
What sets Mainshares / American Operator apart from other investor platforms? Several key differentiators:
Operator-First Philosophy
American Operator puts the operator at the center of every deal. The operator gets meaningful Day 1 ownership — not just a management contract — and a clear path to earning majority control over time. This ownership incentive ensures that the person running the business is deeply invested in its success.
Path to Majority Ownership
Unlike traditional PE deals where the operator might own 10-20% and never have a path to majority control, American Operator allows operators to incrementally buy back ownership until they hold a majority stake. This is a genuinely differentiated approach that attracts high-caliber operators.
Hands-On Support
Each acquisition is supported by American Operator’s team and paired with a seasoned industry advisor. This is not passive capital — it is active partnership with real operational support, governance, and strategic guidance.
Community Preservation
American Operator explicitly positions itself against the private equity roll-up model. Their mission is to keep businesses locally owned and operated, preserving jobs, customer relationships, and community ties. For sellers who care about what happens to their business after the sale, this is a compelling proposition.
Finding Mainshares on VerSquare
Mainshares is profiled on VerSquare.com, which is a directory of investor firms focused on the SMB acquisition space. If you are an acquisition entrepreneur looking for equity partners, VerSquare is an excellent resource for discovering firms like Mainshares, comparing their investment criteria, and understanding which partners might be the best fit for your deal.
How GoSBA Loans Helps You Close Your Deal
Finding equity partners through platforms like Mainshares solves one piece of the acquisition puzzle. But you also need an SBA lender who understands zero-down deal structures and is willing to work with third-party equity investors. That is where GoSBA Loans comes in.
GoSBA Loans is a completely free service with a network of 50+ SBA-preferred lenders and more than $320 million in funded deals. Here is what you get:
- 50+ SBA lenders — GoSBA shops your deal across its entire network to find the best rates, terms, and lender fit
- Free business plan — valued at $2,500 to $5,000, GoSBA provides the SBA-required business plan at no cost to you
- Deal structuring expertise — GoSBA’s team understands how to structure equity injections from investor platforms like Mainshares to satisfy SBA lender requirements
- Zero cost — GoSBA’s services are completely free for borrowers
Ready to Acquire a Business?
Whether you are exploring the Mainshares / American Operator model, raising capital from their 1,300+ investor network, or simply looking for the best SBA financing options, contact GoSBA Loans today.
Our team will guide you through the entire SBA lending process, help you structure your deal for maximum approval chances, and connect you with the right lenders from our extensive network.
