Business Enterprise Institute

What Business Enterprise Institute does

Business Enterprise Institute, Inc. (BEI) is a privately held professional training and certification organization founded in 1991 in Denver, Colorado, that operates as a fully remote business. The company equips professional advisors — including CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and business consultants — with structured methodology, software, and credentialing to deliver business and exit planning services to business owner clients. Its primary buyer is the individual advisor, while business owners are served indirectly through this certified advisor network of more than 2,000 practitioners.

BEI's core products center on three pillars: (1) the proprietary PlanIt planning software, a cloud-based platform providing guided workflows, smart templates, visual dashboards, and CRM management for business value assessment and exit strategy development; (2) the Seven Step Exit Planning Process™ and Three Step Owner-Based Planning Process™, trademarked methodologies developed over 25+ years; and (3) the CExP™ (Certified Exit Planning Advisor) credential earned through a three-stage pathway (Bootcamp, Advanced Exit Planning Course, certification exam). The company also publishes assessment tools, recommendation templates, white papers, and educational content under its 'Business Briefs' brand.

BEI generates revenue through a hybrid model combining one-time training and certification fees with recurring membership subscriptions. Training programs range from $1,495 (OBP Bootcamp) to $7,290 (full CExP Planner pathway) and $4,000 (Advanced Exit Planning Course); certification exams are $1,795 plus $200/yr maintenance dues. Membership subscriptions are tiered at $500/yr (Chapter), $6,500/yr (OBP), and $10,000/yr (Exit Planning), each providing graduated access to PlanIt software, coaching, templates, and chapter network participation. The company also generates revenue through its annual National Exit Planning Conference, monthly National Technical Webcasts, and continuing education programs.

Name

Business Enterprise Institute

Legal name

Business Enterprise Institute, Inc.

Website

https://exitplanning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Business Enterprise Institute (BEI), founded 1991 in Denver, provides exit planning certification, training, and PlanIt software to a national network of 2,000+ professional advisors (CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors) who serve business owner clients transitioning their companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Training

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

Keywords

• Exit planning certification
• Business advisory training
• Succession planning software
• Certified exit planner
• Advisor membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Programs: Self-paced online bootcamp courses and certification programs for advisors entering or advancing in exit planning practice. Programs include OBP Bootcamp, Exit Planning Bootcamp, and CExP™ certification pathway.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programs providing ongoing access to planning software, templates, coaching, webinars, chapter meetings, and community resources. Three tiers: Chapter ($500/yr), OBP ($6,500/yr), and Exit Planning ($10,000/yr).
3. Certification Fees: One-time fees for CExP™ certification exam ($1,795) and advanced courses ($4,000), plus annual dues ($200) for credential maintenance.
4. Continuing Education: CE credits and renewal programs for maintaining professional credentials, available through events, conferences, and training materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) equips professional advisors with training, certification, software, and a nationwide community network to deliver business and exit planning services to business owners. Core offerings include the CExP™ certification pathway, PlanIt planning software, training bootcamps (OBP Bootcamp, Exit Planning Bootcamp, Advanced Exit Planning Course), and tiered membership programs supported by the proprietary Seven Step Exit Planning Process™ and Three Step Owner-Based Planning Process.

Product overview

Business Enterprise Institute offers a unified platform of exit planning certification, training programs, and software solutions. The core product is PlanIt, a planning operating system that powers business and exit planning engagements. Training programs include OBP Bootcamp for foundational owner-based planning skills and Exit Planning Bootcamp as the flagship program. The CExP™ certification pathway consists of three progressive stages: Exit Planning Bootcamp, Advanced Exit Planning Course, and CExP™ Certification Exam. Membership tiers (Chapter, Owner Based Planning, Exit Planning) provide graduated access to tools, coaching, templates, and PlanIt software. Continuing education programs support ongoing CExP™ credential maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CExP™: Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential - the premier professional designation for exit planning advisors, developed over 25+ years.
• PlanIt
• BEI Seven Step Exit Planning Process™
• Three Step Owner-Based Planning Process

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ advisory plans supported through BEI methodology
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LaGreycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment bank headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI providing merger and acquisition advisory services to lower middle market companies throughout the Midwest. LaGrey delivers BEI National Technical Webcasts on topics including third-party sales, deal structures, and valuation. BEI and LaGrey collaborate on educational content for advisors.
• Dinsmore & Shohl LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide law firm with 750+ attorneys serving Fortune 500 companies, institutions, and business clients. Dinsmore partners with BEI to provide legal expertise within the exit planning ecosystem.
• Charter Capital PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment banking firm since 1989 serving middle-market corporations, family-owned businesses, private equity groups, and family offices through M&A, capital raising, and succession planning. Partners with BEI for exit planning education.
• GuardianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance provider with 165 years of stability serving families, business owners, and consumers. Guardian provides insurance solutions for continuity planning, key person coverage, and wealth protection within exit planning engagements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Exit Planning Institute: Exit Planning Institute (EPI) is the most direct competitor to BEI, offering its own Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credential, training programs, and a national advisor community. It competes head-to-head with BEI for the same financial advisor, CPA, and attorney persona seeking exit planning credentials.
• Value Builder System: Value Builder System, developed by Mark Tibben, provides a structured methodology and SaaS platform for business value growth and exit readiness, used by advisors serving business owners. It directly competes with BEI on exit planning methodology and advisor enablement.
• Pinnacle Business Guides: Pinnacle Business Guides operates a national network of Certified Business Intermediaries and exit planning advisors, providing training and a member community. It overlaps with BEI in advisor training and exit planning referral networks.

Broad incumbents

• Strategic Coach: Strategic Coach, founded by Dan Sullivan, provides structured coaching and tools for entrepreneurs and business owners, with a multi-tier membership model similar to BEI. While broader in scope (general entrepreneurial growth vs. exit planning specifically), it targets the same advisor/business owner ecosystem.
• EOS Worldwide: EOS Worldwide offers the Entrepreneurial Operating System, a complete operating system for businesses, with certified EOS Implementers serving as advisors to business owners. It competes with BEI for the same small/mid-market advisor channel and business owner mindshare.
• Scaling Up (Gazelles): Scaling Up (formerly Gazelles), founded by Verne Harnish, provides growth methodology, tools, and a certified coach network for scaling businesses. It overlaps with BEI in providing certified advisor training for business value growth and pre-exit readiness.
• Mercer Advisors: Mercer Advisors is a national wealth management and financial advisory firm serving business owners and high-net-worth individuals, including exit planning and business transition services. It represents a broad incumbent operating across BEI's end market with overlapping service capabilities.

Others

• Kitces: Kitces is a leading financial planning education and research platform serving the same financial advisor persona that BEI targets. It is an adjacent education provider rather than a direct competitor, but it competes for advisor attention and continuous learning budget.
• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization): EO is a global peer network for entrepreneurs providing education, forums, and member connections. While not a direct competitor, EO serves the same business owner demographic that drives BEI's downstream advisor demand and shapes exit planning education norms.
• American College of Financial Services: The American College of Financial Services provides advanced designations (CLU, ChFC, CFP) and continuing education for financial services professionals. It is an adjacent credentialing and education provider overlapping with BEI in advisor training and certification.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/business-enterprise-institute
• Xx.com/BEIexitplanning
• Facebookfacebook.com/BEIexitplanning

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Business Enterprise Institute