Starting a business doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. In fact, one of the smartest ways to launch today is by building under someone else’s brand—or more specifically, under their platform.

If you’ve ever asked yourself how to start a business under someone else’s brand, you’re not alone. More and more entrepreneurs, consultants, and ex-founders are realizing they can skip the slow setup phase and get right to doing the work they love—with the backing of a trusted system behind them.

Let’s explore what that looks like and why the Merge license might be the perfect way to get started.

What Does It Mean to Start Under Someone Else’s Brand?

When you build under someone else’s brand, you’re tapping into a proven system—one that includes tools, templates, processes, and a reputation that already exists.

But here’s the important distinction: starting under a brand doesn’t mean you lose your independence. With a licensing model like Merge, you can:

  • Keep your own brand name and identity

  • Choose your clients and set your pricing

  • Use the platform’s tools and training to move faster

  • Stay in control of your business and strategy

It’s a best-of-both-worlds setup: the flexibility of entrepreneurship, with the structure of a well-oiled machine behind you.

Why This Model Works

There’s a reason this approach is gaining traction. When you build under an established platform like Merge, you:

1. Skip the Setup

No need to design a valuation model, create prospectus templates, or build a CRM from scratch. Merge gives you the foundation so you can focus on closing deals and working with clients.

2. Launch With Confidence

From legal docs to training videos, everything is ready to go. You get playbooks for buyer outreach, pricing, and process—all field-tested and proven to work in founder-led, service-based M&A.

3. Grow on Your Terms

You’re not tied to a corporate brand or fixed territory. You own your pipeline, your relationships, and your results. You can build under your name, a niche identity, or your consulting brand.

4. Tap Into a Community

Running a business solo doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Merge licensees get access to a Slack community of peers, monthly strategy sessions, and optional 1:1 office hours for support.

What You Get with the Merge License

Here’s what’s included when you build your business under Merge’s platform:

🔧 Tools & Templates

  • CRM workflows built for M&A

  • Prospectus decks with modern layouts

  • Legal templates (NDA, LOI, listing agreement)

  • Valuation framework tailored to service-based businesses

  • Buyer outreach scripts and task automations

🎓 Training & SOPs

  • Step-by-step onboarding

  • SOPs for everything from diligence to data rooms

  • Video library for outreach, negotiations, and valuation

  • Strategy calls with Merge HQ

🔍 Buyer Ecosystem

  • Access to Merge’s buyer CRM

  • Optional inclusion in active buyer campaigns

  • Add-on support for verified buyer matching

💬 Support & Community

  • Slack channel for questions, wins, and peer ideas

  • Live events and deal roundups

  • Optional coaching and design services when you need a boost

Real Autonomy. Real Support.

Unlike franchising, you’re not stuck in a box. With Merge, there’s no requirement to use our name or branding. You get to bring your own identity to the table, while using the infrastructure that’s already working.

Want to specialize in healthcare agencies? Focus on creative shops? Build an M&A practice in your hometown? You’re in charge of your direction—Merge simply helps you accelerate it.

What It Costs

Starting under Merge’s platform is simple and transparent:

  • One-time license fee: $35,000

  • Ongoing platform fee: 25% of gross revenue from deals using Merge’s systems

You keep:

  • 75%+ of all deal revenue

  • Full control of your clients, pricing, and brand

  • Flexibility to scale or stay lean

There are no surprise costs, and no pressure to use any services you don’t need.

Who This Is For

This model is perfect for:

  • Former founders who want to help others exit

  • Consultants or advisors already working with business owners

  • Independent professionals with strong networks in a specific vertical

  • Strategic thinkers looking to run a lean, high-impact business

You don’t need a finance background. You just need relationships, communication skills, and the drive to build something meaningful.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been wondering how to start a business under someone else’s brand, a licensing model like Merge is the answer. It gives you tools, credibility, and speed—without sacrificing control.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need a partner who’s already built it, so you can hit the ground running.

👉 Explore the Merge License
👉 Book a Call to Learn More

Your next chapter is ready—and it’s built with you in mind.