If you’ve got $20,000 to invest and a strong network, you’re in an incredible position—but most traditional business ideas don’t do you justice.

Franchises are expensive and rigid. Agencies and consultancies require grinding for clients. SaaS takes time and capital. And side hustles? They stay side hustles.

So what’s the best business to start with $20K if you’re someone with credibility, experience, and the desire to build something meaningful—without starting from scratch?

At Merge, we believe the answer is simple: business brokerage with a license that sets you up to win.

Why Business Brokerage Is a Top Choice Under $20K

M&A may sound intimidating—but when it’s done right, it’s one of the lowest overhead, highest-margin businesses out there. Business brokers help founders sell their companies. You guide the process, connect with buyers, and earn a success fee when the deal closes.

Let’s break it down:

  • Low startup costs: No inventory, no storefront, no employees

  • High commissions: 6-figure deals are common, even in your first year

  • Flexible work: Set your own hours, work from anywhere

  • Real demand: Tens of thousands of founders exit each year—but need help

  • High trust: This is a business built on relationships, not ads or trends

💡 Merge Tip: With the Merge license, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You get everything you need to launch fast and look like a pro from day one.

The Merge License: A Business-in-a-Box for M&A

The Merge license gives you a complete platform to run your own M&A advisory business—without building it from the ground up.

For your initial investment (many start with $20K down), you get:

🛠️ Tools & Templates

  • M&A-specific CRM for tracking leads

  • Proprietary valuation model

  • Beautiful prospectus and outreach templates

  • Ready-to-use legal docs (NDA, LOI, listing agreement)

🎓 Training & Playbooks

  • Step-by-step onboarding

  • Training videos on prospecting, valuation, and negotiation

  • SOPs for every stage of the deal

  • Monthly strategy calls with HQ and peers

🔍 Buyer Ecosystem Access

  • Internal database of 100K+ active buyers

  • Inclusion in buyer outreach campaigns

  • Optional add-on buyer matching

💬 Community & Support

  • Slack channel with other licensees

  • Access to office hours with Merge HQ

  • Optional à la carte support (valuation review, deck design, deal coaching)

💰 Your Business, Your Way

  • You keep 75%+ of revenue

  • You own the relationships

  • You control your branding and pricing

Who This Is Best For

This model isn’t for everyone—but it’s perfect for the right kind of person.

You might be a fit if you’re:

  • 💼 A former founder or operator who’s sold a business (or helped others grow theirs)

  • 🤝 A consultant, coach, or advisor who already works with business owners

  • 🧠 A strategic thinker with access to a founder network

  • 📈 A business broker or searcher who wants to specialize or streamline

  • 🎯 A vertical expert with deep trust in a specific niche (e.g. creative, SaaS, healthcare)

What do they all have in common?
They’re already trusted. Already connected. Already credible.

Merge gives them the tools to turn that into a business that scales.

Traits of Successful Licensees

We’ve seen hundreds of people license the Merge platform—but the ones who succeed fastest share a few things:

  • Highly networked in a founder or operator community

  • Comfortable leading conversations with clients

  • Low-ego, high-execution

  • Clear communicators and strong listeners

  • Entrepreneurial, independent, and coachable

  • Motivated to build something meaningful—with structure behind them

💡 Merge Tip: You don’t need a finance degree or M&A background. If you’ve helped a business grow, you already speak the language of founders.

Why $20K Is Enough to Start Strong

The full Merge license costs $35,000, but many licensees start with $20,000 down and finance the rest. That means you can launch a real M&A advisory business without exceeding your startup budget.

Compared to:

  • A franchise ($100K+ and ongoing royalties)

  • A SaaS idea (years of building before revenue)

  • Starting a traditional M&A firm (legal, tech, marketing, deal flow—all from scratch)

The Merge license gives you a shortcut without sacrificing control.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got $20K, credibility in a founder network, and the drive to build something real—you don’t need to wait around for a “big idea.”

You just need a model that works.

That’s exactly what the Merge license offers:
✅ A complete platform
✅ Proven playbooks
✅ Support when you need it
✅ A business that grows with you

No bosses. No burnout. Just real ownership.

👉 Learn more about becoming a Merge licensee
👉 Book a call to see if it’s a fit