A buy box is a buyer's written set of acquisition criteria, industry, revenue and SDE range, geography, margins, and deal size, that filters which businesses are worth pursuing and keeps a search focused.
Worked example
| Criterion | Target |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home services |
| SDE range | $250k, $500k |
| Location | Within 50 miles |
| Margins | 15%+ |
| Max price | ≤ 3.5× SDE |
Any listing outside these bounds is a fast "no," so your time goes only to deals that could actually work.
Why it matters when buying a business
Buyers who chase everything close nothing. A tight buy box lets you triage teasers in seconds and gives brokers a clear ask. It's the screen; the deal box is what sets your maximum price once a business passes it. If you plan to grow through acquisition, an ETA or search-fund approach starts here.
