Startup Acquisition Stories The Lean SaaS Exit: PLG, Profitability, and a Strategic Acquisition
May 20, 2025
Trevor Lee, founder of Genius Sheets, a thriving product-led SaaS that automates finance reporting, shares his journey from bootstrapping to acquisition. He reveals how strategic partnerships with industry giants like QuickBooks and Microsoft fueled his company's growth. Trevor emphasizes the importance of sustainable customer acquisition, effective pricing strategies, and the criticality of a compelling pitch during buyer negotiations. He also offers invaluable exit tips, highlighting the need for early automation and real user feedback, while teasing his exciting new venture, Myko.
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Building Genius Sheets
- Trevor Lee built Genius Sheets as an Excel and Google Sheets plugin during business school to automate real-time financial reporting.
- The tool plugged data directly from QuickBooks into spreadsheets for flexible financial models in small businesses.
Get Customers via Networks
- Use your personal and alumni networks to find customers first, as cold outreach is tough without one.
- Consider sponsoring newsletters and connecting with influencers in your niche for scalable marketing.
Ship Fast, Learn Fast
- Ship your product fast to get user feedback rather than building in isolation.
- Delays in releasing can slow learning and product improvement.