In brief: Source deals through broad marketplaces, specialist marketplaces, brokers, direct outreach and your professional network, then filter them with the same acquisition criteria.
Broad marketplaces
Broad marketplaces such as Flippa can generate significant raw deal flow across digital-business types. The benefit is choice; the cost is more screening.
Specialist and curated marketplaces
Startup-focused or curated marketplaces can narrow the universe before you see it. That can improve signal when your mandate closely matches their specialty.
Direct outreach
Direct owner outreach can uncover businesses not formally for sale, but it requires patience, respectful contact and a clear reason the owner should engage.
Build a repeatable sourcing system
- Save a written acquisition mandate.
- Track opportunities in one pipeline.
- Record why each deal was rejected.
- Set alerts where marketplaces support them.
- Review new listings on a consistent schedule rather than browsing randomly.
Browse with criteria in hand
If Flippa fits your target business type and budget, use its marketplace as one sourcing channel—not as a substitute for a mandate or diligence process.