DURHAM – Want to launch a business but not start one from scratch? A conference at Duke University this weekend will focus on an acquisition strategy.

Says a spokesperson for Duke:

“The annual Southeast Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference is hosted by the Batten Institute at the University of Virginia Darden School of BusinessUNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Duke Fuqua School of Business.”

“This conference is designed to educate, encourage and equip current and recent MBA students and mid-career professionals in the Southeast US to pursue the acquisition and operation of a small or mid-sized business. The event will bring together business students, search fund entrepreneurs, search fund investors, faculty, and other professionals in the entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) community to explore this rapidly growing market.”

The conference begins Friday evening and ends Saturday.

More than 20 speakers are scheduled to participate. See the full list and bios of each at this site.