WETYR's research draws from twelve primary data layers. Every quantitative claim, regulatory citation, and market characterization on WETYR pages traces back to one of the sources listed below. We do not publish data we cannot verify against a primary source.
Transaction Data
- WETYR active pipeline — sell-side mandates, buy-side underwrites, direct operator-buyer transactions across 72 niches. Under NDA, not publicly browseable.
- GF Data — quarterly lower-middle-market private-company transaction data.
- PitchBook — private-company transaction database, cross-validation source.
- IBBA Market Pulse — sub-$50M business-broker-tier transaction reporting.
- BVR DealStats — business valuation comparables.
- SEC EDGAR 10-K filings — major aggregators in each niche (Apex, Wrench, Mars Vet, VCA, Heartland Dental, Acrisure, Rollins, etc.).
Government & Regulatory
- U.S. SBA — 7(a) loan program eligibility, terms, and lender data.
- IRS — Section 1060 asset-allocation, sale-of-business tax treatment, Section 1202 (QSBS).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — wage, employment, and growth data by NAICS code.
- U.S. Census Economic Census — industry size, firm counts, revenue distributions.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — rate environment, capital structures.
- SEC EDGAR — public-company comparables and acquirer filings.
Standards & Professional Bodies
- AICPA — Quality of Earnings methodology, CPA standards.
- FINRA — broker-dealer rules and guidance.
- NACVA — business valuation credentials and standards.
- USPAP — Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Reference Materials
- Investopedia — terminology and definitional reference (cross-referenced with our 198-term glossary).
- Harvard Business Review — M&A research archive.
- Stanford GSB Search Fund Study — ETA reference.
How Sources Are Cited On WETYR Pages
Every WETYR content page carries an "Authoritative Sources & Further Reading" block that lists the primary sources our advisory team consults. For specific factual claims that warrant per-claim citation (regulatory provisions, named acquirer 10-K references, specific transaction multiples), the inline citation links to the primary source. The full citation discipline is documented in the fact-checking process.
Verify A Specific Claim
Authoritative Sources & Further Reading
WETYR works alongside primary sources, regulators, and industry data providers when advising owners and operators. The references below are the same sources our advisory team uses when modeling deals, benchmarking multiples, and stress-testing assumptions. We encourage every owner, buyer, and operator to verify any data point that materially affects their decision against the underlying primary source.
Primary Federal Sources
- U.S. SBA — 7(a) Loan Program for acquisition financing eligibility, terms, and lender list.
- SEC EDGAR for public-company comparables, 10-K disclosures, and recent strategic acquirer filings.
- IRS — Sale of a Business on Section 1060 asset-allocation reporting and tax treatment of asset vs stock sales.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Industries at a Glance for wage, employment, and growth data by NAICS code.
- U.S. Census Economic Census for industry size, firm counts, and revenue distributions.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data for prevailing rate environment underwriting.
Standards & Reference Bodies
- AICPA for Quality of Earnings methodology and CPA standards governing transaction-related financial work.
- FINRA Rules and Guidance for understanding when a transaction crosses into broker-dealer territory.
- NACVA business valuation credentialing body and standards (CVA designation).
- USPAP — Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice for valuation engagement standards.
- Investopedia — EBITDA reference page for definitional alignment with our glossary.
- Harvard Business Review — Mergers and Acquisitions archive on integration and post-close value creation.
For deeper transaction-specific data, the GF Data and PitchBook private-company transaction databases publish quarterly multiple ranges by industry size band that we cross-reference against our own pipeline benchmarks. Owners considering a sale should also review the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Report (free, annual) for current cost-of-capital and lender appetite data across the lower middle market. Buyers underwriting search-fund or holdco theses commonly pair Stanford GSB's Search Fund Study with the IBBA Market Pulse report, which tracks multiples for sub-$50M transactions quarterly. None of these sources replace deal-specific advisory, but they give owners and operators the same reference points professional acquirers are using on the other side of the table.
Related WETYR Resources
Every WETYR resource ladders into a structured engagement framework. Whether you are diagnosing readiness, modeling a number, or preparing for a specific transaction phase, the resources below cover the most common owner and operator workflows. All tools are free; all guides are operator-written; all engagements start with a confidential conversation.
Engagement Pillars
Decision Tools
Operator-Written
Glossary & FAQ
Checklists & Templates
Niche Coverage
If you are not sure where to start, the Exit Readiness Score takes about four minutes and produces a one-page diagnostic on the value drivers most likely to compress your multiple. From there the natural next step is either a long-form guide covering your specific situation, a focused glossary term lookup, or a confidential introductory call with our team to discuss whether WETYR's advisory or operator-buyer engagement is a fit. Our team responds to every inbound inquiry within one business day.