Location: Toronto, ON; San Francisco, CA
WHO WE AREBeacon Software is building a new kind of software holding company—one that is designed by founders for founders. The Beacon difference:
Permanent Commitment: We purchase software companies with the intention of holding them indefinitely.
Flexible Terms & Transition: We are flexible in our approach to both structure and capital.
Growth & Technology DNA: We offer a comprehensive platform of software modules, shared services, and world-class Silicon Valley talent to enable you to increase the scale of your ambition and out-innovate your competition.
Transparent & Decisive: We know an entrepreneur’s time is valuable. We work hard to make our diligence and closing process as transparent and expedient as possible.
Beacon Software is on a mission to build a generational holding company of niche software solutions. Our team is composed of experienced professionals from leading technology companies such as Instacart, Airbnb, and Databricks, and top-tier investment firms like D1 Capital and Sequoia Capital. Together, we bring a technology-led and product-driven approach to finding, acquiring, and growing software businesses.
Our core values guide us:
Honesty: We are truth-seekers who believe human relationships generate alpha. Trust is earned over a lifetime and lost in an instant.
Hunger: We play to win, hold ourselves to high standards, and take pride in our responsibility to customers, partners, and each other.
Humility: We believe in learning from anyone at any time. Strong beliefs are held weakly to acknowledge being wrong along the way.
Horizon: We seek to build a generational software company and embrace compounding growth over decades.
As a Business Development Associate, you will play a critical role in Beacon’s acquisition strategy by identifying, researching, and engaging directly with software companies to join the Beacon family. You will work closely with Beacon’s leadership and M&A teams to support the entire deal process—from initial outreach to deal closing. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Beacon’s growing portfolio of software companies.
ResponsibilitiesIdentify niche vertical market software companies aligned with Beacon’s acquisition strategy.
Conduct outreach through email, phone calls, and meetings to engage with company founders and CEOs.
Build and nurture long-term relationships with software entrepreneurs, understanding their business challenges and growth opportunities.
Assist in the initial evaluation of potential acquisition targets by gathering and analyzing financial and operational data.
Maintain and grow Beacon’s deal pipeline by actively sourcing new business opportunities.
Collaborate with Beacon’s M&A and leadership teams throughout the due diligence and deal execution process.
Support deal negotiations by coordinating communication between internal stakeholders and prospective sellers.
A driven, proactive individual with 1-3 years of experience in M&A business development, sales, or a related field, ideally in the software or technology sector.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and influence entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Love the sales process and are genuinely interested in getting to know people and are intellectually curious about entrepreneurship/business
Analytical with an attention to detail, and eager to learn about acquisitions and deal-making in the software industry.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
A self-starter who thrives in a collaborative team environment and is passionate about achieving/exceeding targets.
Experience in outreach, relationship-building, or lead generation.
A basic understanding of financial statements, SaaS business models, or M&A processes.
Interest in software, technology, and the broader acquisition ecosystem.
Skills Required
- 1-3 years of experience in M&A business development, sales, or a related field, ideally in software or technology
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to engage and influence entrepreneurs and business leaders
- Interest in and enthusiasm for the sales process, entrepreneurship, and business
- Analytical ability and attention to detail
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Self-starter who thrives in a collaborative team environment and is passionate about achieving or exceeding targets
- Experience in outreach, relationship-building, or lead generation
- Basic understanding of financial statements, SaaS business models, or M&A processes
- Interest in software, technology, and the broader acquisition ecosystem
What We Do
Beacon is the permanent home for Main Street software and services supporting the real economy. We buy, build, and grow exceptional vertical software businesses, preserving their legacy while expanding the scale of their founders’ ambitions. Our model is different. Unlike private equity, we don’t buy to flip. We hold forever, investing in product, customers, and teams for the long term. Founders who join Beacon gain more than capital: they access in-house engineering, AI, design, and fintech expertise, as well as a network spanning Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and Main Street. We simplify the back office, accelerate growth with proven playbooks, and give founders the freedom to focus on what they do best: building great software for their markets. Every company under the Beacon umbrella remains independent, with its own brand and customers, but benefits from shared resources and immediate value creation. Our approach has already helped portfolio companies win major RFPs, modernize technology stacks, and expand market share. Beacon was founded by experienced operators and investors from companies like D1 Capital, Instacart, Sequoia Capital, and Databricks who believe ambitious software deserves a forever home. Our success is measured founder by founder, company by company, and we’re just getting started.
