Startup Acquisition Stories How He Acquired an EdTech SaaS and 10x’d Its Revenue
Jul 21, 2025
Chanakya Yerneni, an entrepreneur and former corporate SaaS expert, shares his inspiring journey from corporate life to acquiring EssayGrader, an AI tool for teachers. He transformed the struggling startup, boosting its revenue to $1M ARR in just a year. Chanakya emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, using effective SEO strategies, and building a product that goes viral. He offers valuable insights on starting with product-market fit and simplifying the acquisition process, making it a must-listen for aspiring business acquirers.
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Chanakya's Acquisition Journey
- Chanakya Yerneni quit a decade-long corporate career to acquire an AI grading SaaS business from Acquire.com.
- He transitioned to running the business within 30 days of spotting the opportunity.
Acquisition Saves Years of Building
- Buying an existing SaaS business can accelerate years of startup work by providing proven product market fit.
- One can evaluate traction through metrics like revenue and marketing analytics before acquisition.
Prioritize Product Market Fit
- Focus on acquiring businesses with product market fit and competitors, not just profitability when starting with limited capital.
- Avoid markets with no competitors as they might lack demand unless it's a rare first-mover opportunity.