Mainshares (now American Operator)

Formerly the Mainshares marketplace where self-funded searchers raised acquisition equity from 1,300+ accredited investors; it rebranded to American Operator in December 2025 and pivoted to buying $2-7M businesses outright with its own cash, installing vetted operators as salaried CEOs with 10% day-one equity and a buy-up path to majority ownership. All mainshares.com pages now redirect to americanoperator.com, and the old equity-raising service is no longer offered to new searchers.

Pricing

Custom pricing — Pricing not published. Vendor-published economics: American Operator funds the acquisition all-cash from its balance sheet and holds 90% at close; the operator receives 10% ownership on day one plus "full salary and benefits" (no figures disclosed) and earns/buys toward majority over an unpublished timeline; board advisors must invest a minimum of $25K for common equity. Acquisition box: $2-7M enterprise value, $3-10M+ revenue, roughly $950K+ adjusted EBITDA. FAQs titled "Is an upfront investment required?" and "Do I sign a personal guarantee?" exist on the become-an-owner page but their answers are not in the public page text.

Best for

Experienced industry operators (5+ years hands-on plus 5+ years P&L ownership; veterans favored) who want to run a $2-7M home-services, B2B-services, distribution, or light-manufacturing business with a salary and day-one equity, earning into majority without raising their own SBA debt or investor equity. Self-funded searchers seeking gap equity for a deal they control should look elsewhere — that Mainshares product was retired with the rebrand.

Last verified

Jul 10, 2026 — pricing and status checked against primary sources

Roadmap stages

2. Choose your path3. Set up & fund the search7. Diligence & financing