How to Use M&A as a Business Expansion Tool with Ashish Achlerkar

Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman at NearU

Starting a business from scratch is challenging, but Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman of NearU, took a unique path—leveraging M&A as a tool for entrepreneurship. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish shares how he transitioned from investment banking to building a multi-state, multi-million-dollar business in the skilled trades industry.

Ashish’s journey is a masterclass in leveraging M&A for business expansion, focusing on strategic acquisitions, cultural alignment, and operational efficiency to build a thriving company in an industry ripe for disruption.

Things you will learn:

Entrepreneurship through acquisition – Why M&A is a tool, not an end goal
How to evaluate industries for acquisition – Why the skilled trades industry was the perfect fit
Building a scalable business post-acquisition – The importance of training and technology
Working with private equity – How to find the right partner and maintain control

Ashish Achlerkar

Before launching NearU, Ashish Achlerkar built a career in investment banking, specializing in M&A. His transition from finance to business ownership was fueled by a desire to create jobs, invest in people, and build a long-lasting, impactful business. He has since grown NearU into a multi-state platform serving thousands of customers with a vision to elevate the skilled trades industry.