For Brokers & Sellers
Actively Searching.
One Business.
Signal & Engine is actively searching for a single business to acquire and operate. We are not a fund. We are not building a portfolio. We are two operators who intend to run what we buy — for the long term.
Who We Are
Two Partners
We are two partners based in San Jose, California. Both of us have prior acquisition experience — we have been through this process before and understand what a clean, respectful close looks like from the buyer's side.
Operators, Not Investors
Our backgrounds are in AI, data systems, software, and business operations. We build and run things. After an acquisition, we intend to step into the business and operate it — not hand it off to a management team.
Long-Term Owner-Operators
We are not searching for a quick flip. Our goal is to own and improve one business over the long term — building on what the current owner created, not dismantling it. We believe the best transitions are the ones where the seller feels good about who they handed the keys to.
What We're Looking For
We focus on durable local businesses with strong reputations. The full criteria are on our Acquisition Criteria page. In brief:
Durable Local Business
Established in the San Jose/South Bay area with a real local reputation and customer base.
Recurring or Repeat Revenue
We prefer businesses where customers come back — service contracts, subscriptions, or strong repeat patterns.
Strong Reputation
The business has earned trust — from customers, vendors, or the community — that a new owner can continue building on.
Thoughtful Owner Transition
The seller wants a clean handoff to someone who will care for what they built — not just the highest bidder.
What We Generally Avoid
We are direct about fit so you can spend your time on the right introductions. We typically pass on:
Restaurants and food & beverage
Retail storefronts
Franchises
Heavily regulated industries (financial services, healthcare licensing)
Businesses requiring specialized professional licenses
Outside San Jose/South Bay area
If you're unsure whether a listing is a fit, send it over — a quick conversation is better than a missed connection.
How We Work
We take the professional relationship with brokers and the trust placed in us by sellers seriously.
NDA-Friendly
We will sign NDAs before receiving confidential information. Protecting a seller's information is standard practice, not a negotiating point.
Fast, Clear Communication
We respond promptly and give straight answers. We will not string along a process — if we're not moving forward, we will tell you why.
Confidentiality — We Mean It
We understand that selling a business is a sensitive process. That's why we make this commitment explicitly:
We will not contact your employees, customers, or vendors without your permission.
This is not a standard disclaimer — it is how we conduct ourselves at every stage of the process.
Have a Listing That Might Be a Fit?
Send us a teaser or reach out directly. We respond promptly and treat every conversation with discretion.
Prefer email? Reach us at bob@signalandengine.com
Submit an Opportunity