Introducing Next Coast Legacy
In the world of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), few investment firms can point to a track record as impressive as Next Coast Legacy. Based in Austin, Texas, this search fund investor has helped grow portfolio companies by 15 to 60 times their original size, with one investment ultimately leading to a $1.7 billion IPO. Listed on VerSquare.com, the go-to platform for verified reviews of SMB deal service providers, Next Coast Legacy has earned its reputation as one of the premier equity partners for aspiring business owners.
What makes Next Coast Legacy truly special is that its partners are not just investors — they are operators. As they put it on their website: “We have lived the trials and tribulations as an investor-backed CEO.” The partners at Next Coast Legacy have personally searched for, identified, acquired, scaled, and exited businesses. They are not theorists sitting in a corner office. They have been in the trenches, and they want to share their secrets to success with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The Next Coast Legacy Advantage
Operator-First Philosophy
At its core, Next Coast Legacy is an operator-first firm. The partners have direct experience as CEOs of acquired businesses, which means they understand everything from the emotional rollercoaster of the search process to the operational challenges of running a newly acquired company. This firsthand experience is invaluable for first-time acquirers who are navigating unfamiliar territory.
When you partner with Next Coast Legacy, you gain access to people who have personally dealt with employee management, customer retention, vendor negotiations, and revenue growth in acquired businesses. Their advice is not theoretical — it is drawn from years of real-world experience.
Technology as a Growth Lever
One of the most distinctive aspects of Next Coast Legacy is their emphasis on technology as a growth driver. As they state: “Tech is ubiquitous and critical in a CEO’s playbook. Operators can no longer de-prioritize technology in the lower/middle market.”
Next Coast Legacy is closely aligned with its sister venture capital fund, Next Coast Ventures, giving it a unique perspective on how technology can transform even the most traditional, tech-resistant businesses. This is a significant advantage in today’s market, where digital transformation can dramatically improve operations, customer experience, and profitability in industries like HVAC, plumbing, healthcare services, and manufacturing.
For SBA-financed acquisitions, this technology focus can be a game-changer. Implementing modern software systems, automating processes, and leveraging data analytics can increase EBITDA and accelerate the payback on your acquisition — making your SBA loan easier to service and your equity investors happier with their returns.
A Community of Founders and Operators
Next Coast Legacy is more than an investment firm — it is a community. With over 25 years of successful operating and investing in the lower and middle market ecosystem, the Next Coast Legacy team is deeply embedded in the trends and opportunities affecting this space. They describe themselves as “thought-leaders on emerging themes for acquisition and couriers of current information to our future CEOs.”
The firm also prides itself on diversity, stating that their vetting process “continues to produce a rich, vibrant and representative tapestry of CEOs.” They celebrate the diversity of the entrepreneur and strive for a unique mix of searchers representing their fund investments.
The Track Record: 15-60x Growth and a $1.7B IPO
Numbers speak louder than words, and Next Coast Legacy’s numbers are extraordinary. The firm has helped grow portfolio companies by 15 to 60 times their original size. To put that in perspective, if you acquired a business generating $500,000 in EBITDA and grew it by even 15x, you would be running a company with $7.5 million in earnings.
Perhaps most impressively, one of their investments led to a $1.7 billion IPO — a testament to the caliber of operators they select and the quality of support they provide. While not every acquisition will result in an IPO, this outcome demonstrates the upside potential when the right operator meets the right business with the right investor support.
How Equity Investors Like Next Coast Legacy Enable Zero-Down SBA Deals
For aspiring business buyers, one of the biggest hurdles is coming up with the equity injection required for an SBA loan. The SBA 7(a) loan program will finance up to 90% of a business acquisition, but the remaining 10% must come from equity — and traditionally, that has meant the buyer’s personal savings.
Here is the key insight that many first-time buyers miss: SBA guidelines allow a portion of the equity injection to come from outside investors. In most deals, the buyer needs to contribute at least 5% of the total project cost from personal funds, while the remaining 5% can come from an equity partner like Next Coast Legacy.
The deal structure typically looks like this:
- 90% SBA Loan — Financed by an SBA-approved lender
- 5% Buyer Equity — Your personal funds
- 5% Investor Equity — Provided by Next Coast Legacy
This structure dramatically reduces the amount of personal capital you need to close a deal. For a $3 million acquisition, instead of needing $300,000 out of pocket, you might only need $150,000 — with Next Coast Legacy covering the rest in exchange for a minority equity stake.
For a detailed breakdown of how zero-down SBA deals work, check out our guide: How to Buy a Business with Zero Down Using an SBA Loan.
Why Austin? The Geographic Advantage
Next Coast Legacy’s Austin, Texas base is no accident. Austin has become one of the nation’s hottest markets for entrepreneurship, technology, and business services. The city’s booming economy, favorable tax environment, and thriving startup ecosystem create a fertile ground for business acquisitions.
While Next Coast Legacy invests nationally, their Austin roots give them strong connections to the Texas business community and the broader Southern and Western U.S. markets — regions where many attractive SMB acquisition targets are located.
Pairing Next Coast Legacy with GoSBA Loans
Securing an equity partner like Next Coast Legacy is a crucial step, but you also need the right SBA lender to complete the financing puzzle. This is where GoSBA Loans becomes your most valuable resource.
GoSBA Loans is the nation’s leading SBA loan brokerage for business acquisitions, with an unmatched track record:
- 50+ SBA-Approved Lenders — GoSBA shops your deal across a massive network to find the best terms and fastest closing
- $320M+ in Funded Deals — Proven experience getting complex acquisitions across the finish line
- 100% Free Service — GoSBA never charges borrowers. Lenders compensate them directly.
- Free Business Plan — Every client receives a professionally written business plan valued at $2,500 to $5,000, a critical component of your SBA application
When you combine Next Coast Legacy’s equity investment and operational expertise with GoSBA’s lending network and deal-closing experience, you have a powerful combination that can take you from searcher to business owner in a matter of months.
Is Next Coast Legacy Right for You?
Next Coast Legacy is an ideal partner if:
- You are pursuing a traditional search fund or self-funded search
- You want an investor with deep operating experience, not just financial backing
- You believe technology can be a growth lever in your target business
- You value diversity and want to be part of an inclusive investment community
- You are planning to use SBA financing to complete your acquisition
Learn more about Next Coast Legacy on VerSquare.com or visit their website at nextcoastlegacy.com.
Take the Next Step
Whether you are just starting your search or you have a Letter of Intent in hand, GoSBA Loans is ready to help you find the perfect SBA lender for your acquisition.
Our service is completely free. Every client receives a professionally written business plan worth $2,500 to $5,000 — at no cost to you.
Contact GoSBA Loans today and let our team of SBA experts help you close your deal. With 50+ lenders, $320M+ funded, and a free business plan, your path to business ownership starts here.
