Fund your business with retirement savings.
Tax & penalty free.
Zero debt. Full control.
Use your 401(k), IRA, or other eligible retirement funds to start, buy, or expand a business — without early withdrawal penalties, income tax, or monthly loan payments. Powered by our partnership with Guidant Financial, the industry leader in ROBS.
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Turn your retirement savings into business capital — without debt or penalties.
Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) is a proven, IRS-acknowledged strategy that lets you invest your own retirement funds into a C Corporation you own and work in. No loan. No interest. No early-withdrawal tax.
Debt-Free Capital
Because ROBS is an equity investment by your new 401(k) plan — not a loan — there are no monthly payments, no interest, and no personal guarantee required for the capital itself.
Tax & Penalty Free
Properly structured rollovers avoid the 10% early-withdrawal penalty and current income tax that would apply if you simply cashed out your retirement account.
Higher Success Rates
Businesses funded with ROBS through Guidant show significantly higher long-term survival rates than those started primarily with debt — because cash flow isn’t burdened by loan payments.
How ROBS works — simplified
Guidant handles the legal, plan design, and compliance heavy lifting so you can focus on the business.
New C Corp
A C Corporation is formed (required for Qualified Employer Securities).
401(k) Plan
The new C Corp adopts a qualified retirement plan (usually a 401(k)).
Rollover
Eligible funds roll into the new plan — non-taxable when done correctly.
Stock Purchase
The 401(k) buys stock in the C Corp (QES transaction).
Capital Ready
The C Corp receives the cash and can start or buy the business.
This is capital that works for you — not against your cash flow.
Traditional loans create fixed obligations from day one. ROBS lets you deploy capital and keep every dollar of profit working inside the business.
Faster path to profitability
No monthly debt service means more of your revenue stays available for operations, marketing, hiring, and growth.
You control the investment
Unlike the stock market, you are actively involved in the business that holds your retirement dollars. You influence the outcome.
Works as equity injection
ROBS capital can serve as the down payment or equity portion when combined with SBA loans, seller financing, or conventional term loans — increasing your total buying power.
Built-in compliance & protection
Guidant’s Lifetime Audit Protection, in-house legal team, and ongoing plan administration keep your structure aligned with IRS and DOL rules long after funding.
Takes about 60 seconds • No credit impact • Free consultation
Why work with Co. Buy Sell + Guidant
We connect you with the most experienced ROBS provider in the industry and stay with you through the process.
Lifetime Audit Protection
In the rare event of an IRS or DOL audit of the plan, Guidant hires and pays qualified counsel to represent you. Less than 1% of their clients have ever been audited — and no client has lost.
In-House Legal Team
Guidant is the only major ROBS provider with in-house attorneys who design and continuously monitor every transaction for long-term compliance.
20+ Years & 35,000+ Clients
More ROBS transactions completed than any competitor. Conservative structuring, annual valuations included, and a full suite of back-office support options.
Your Co. Buy Sell Guide
Matt and the team at Co. Buy Sell help you understand whether ROBS is the right fit, prepare you for the Guidant conversation, and stay available as your funding options evolve.
From first conversation to funded business
Most ROBS transactions can be completed in as little as three weeks once documents are in order.
1. Pre-qualify with us
Share a few details about your retirement funds and goals. We’ll confirm fit and introduce you to the right Guidant specialist.
2. Structure & compliance
Guidant designs the C Corp, 401(k) plan, stock purchase, and documentation. You review, sign, and fund the setup.
3. Capital in the bank
Rollover completes, the plan buys the stock, and your new C Corp has the cash ready to launch or close on the business.
What does ROBS typically cost?
Guidant’s structure is designed for long-term compliance rather than the cheapest possible setup. Here’s the typical range:
Includes C Corp formation support, 401(k) plan design, stock purchase documentation, funding guidance, and document package. Covers up to three owners on the initial rollover.
Ongoing compliance, Form 5500 preparation, plan testing, annual valuation, required amendments, and Lifetime Audit Protection. Additional third-party custodian and bond costs apply.
Exact fees depend on plan design and complexity. Your Guidant specialist will review every cost up front — no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about ROBS, eligibility, and how we work with Guidant.
Business owners who used retirement funds to launch or grow.
"Using my 401(k) through ROBS let me open my first location without a mountain of debt. Guidant and the Co. Buy Sell team made a complex process feel manageable."
"I rolled over part of my IRA to buy an existing HVAC company. No loan payments meant I could invest in trucks and techs from day one. Still going strong."
"Matt at Co. Buy Sell explained ROBS clearly and connected me with Guidant. The structure was set up correctly and I had capital ready faster than I expected."
"After 20 years in corporate, I used ROBS to buy a small manufacturing business. Debt-free ownership changed everything about how I run the company."
"The combination of ROBS equity and a small term loan gave me enough to acquire the location I wanted. Co. Buy Sell helped me see the full picture."
"Using my 401(k) through ROBS let me open my first location without a mountain of debt. Guidant and the Co. Buy Sell team made a complex process feel manageable."
"I rolled over part of my IRA to buy an existing HVAC company. No loan payments meant I could invest in trucks and techs from day one. Still going strong."
Ready to explore debt-free business funding with your retirement savings?
Join thousands of owners who used ROBS to start or buy a business without taking on traditional loan debt. Pre-qualify in under a minute and talk with a specialist.
No credit impact to explore options • Free consultation • No obligation
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