{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-acquisition","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/business-acquisition","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"business-acquisition","term":"Business acquisition","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"The process of buying an existing business, including its assets, liabilities, and operations. This is the goal of your 7(a) loan.","what_it_means":"An SBA 7(a) loan is a common financing tool for small business acquisitions. You'll need to clearly define what you're buying (assets vs. stock), value the business, and structure the deal for SBA approval. Work closely with your lender and advisors to navigate this complex process.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-acquisition","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"asset-purchase","term":"Asset purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-purchase"},{"slug":"stock-purchase","term":"Stock purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/stock-purchase"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does the SBA 7(a) program require a minimum loan amount for business acquisitions?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-7-a-program-require-a-minimum-loan-amount-for-business-acquisitions"},{"question":"How do SBA loan rates compare to conventional bank loan rates for business acquisitions?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-do-sba-loan-rates-compare-to-conventional-bank-loan-rates-for-business-acquisitions"},{"question":"How does the SBA evaluate goodwill in a business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-evaluate-goodwill-in-a-business-acquisition"},{"question":"How does the SBA define \"management experience\" for a business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-management-experience-for-a-business-acquisition"},{"question":"Does the SBA require an independent business appraisal for a business acquisition costing $400,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-require-an-independent-business-appraisal-for-a-business-acquisition-costing-"},{"question":"What is the importance of a professional business valuation for an acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-importance-of-a-professional-business-valuation-for-an-acquisition"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Business acquisition","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-acquisition","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}