Jared Ribley's Attendance at WashU Olin. Impacting Tomorrow's Generation of Business Owners

When Jared Ribley, Founder and Managing Partner of Capstone M&A, stepped into the classroom at Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School as a guest speaker for the ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) program, the result was far more than a

lecture, it was a defining moment for students.

Jared alongside Professor Doug Villhard, engaging with students and answering questions during the session.

As part of the WashU Olin ETA Guest Speakers series, Jared joined a lineup of experienced operators and advisors to bring real-world perspective to a curriculum designed to challenge assumptions and prepare students for the realities of entrepreneurship through acquisition. Based on student feedback, the experience exceeded even the highest expectations.

A “Life Pivot” Experience for Students

YesCourse evaluations from the cohort revealed a powerful theme: this class wasn’t just informative, it was transformational.

Students described the course as:

• “The best class I have ever taken at WashU.”

• “Best course I took at Olin, by far.”

• “A class that changed the trajectory of my entire life.”

One student even shared that simply reflecting on the experience made them emotional—an uncommon reaction in a graduate-level business course and a testament to the depth of impact the speakers had.

Real-World Insight with No Sugarcoating

A recurring highlight from student feedback was the authenticity of the guest speakers, including Jared. Students deeply valued the straight forward approach an honest look at ETA as a challenging, disciplined path rather than a shortcut to success.

Participants cited:

• Practical frameworks they could actually execute

• A clearer understanding of how to protect downside risk

• Real stories that demystified the American dream while still honoring its potential

Jared’s ability to connect strategy with lived experience helped students bridge the gap between theory and practice, one of the most difficult challenges in business education.

Record-Setting Course Ratings

To put the impact in perspective, WashU Olin shared a comparison between typical course ratings and this ETA session:

• Overall Class Rating: 9.9 (vs. a typical 9.2)

• Professor Rating: 9.9 (vs. 9.3)

• Guest Speaker Quality: 10.0 (vs. 9.1)

These scores are virtually unheard of, even for a program that already holds itself to exceptionally high standards.

Jared Ribley’s presence at WashU Olin exemplifies Capstone M&A’s broader mission:

Educating, equipping, and empowering the next generation of business owners with clarity and integrity. The overwhelmingly positive response from students confirms what many in the M&A and ETA communities already know, when real experience meets thoughtful teaching, it can truly change lives. Yes

As WashU Olin continues to shape future leaders, moments like this remind us that the most impactful education often comes from those who have walked the path themselves, and are willing to tell the truth about it.