Buying Developer Tools Companies with Greg and Matt from Polychrome
Jun 13, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Greg Lazarus and Matt Althauser, cofounders of Polychrome, share their unique insights into acquiring developer tools companies. Greg's sales savvy and Matt's finance expertise drive their innovative approach to growth. They reveal the challenges and triumphs of building their portfolio, including notable lessons learned from transitioning open-source to SaaS. The duo emphasizes the importance of aligning products with market needs, navigating risks, and the entrepreneurial freedom enabled by their unconventional funding strategies.
Founders of developer tools can thrive through bootstrapping, allowing for personal values alignment and diverse business model exploration.
Polychrome's acquisition strategy focuses on operational involvement and collaboration, fostering strong partnerships that facilitate growth in developer tool companies.
Deep dives
Alternative Paths for Founders
Founders of developer tools have multiple paths available to them that extend beyond traditional venture capital and private equity routes. While many believe that seeking external funding is the only way to grow, there are other ways to build and sustain successful businesses. Founders can opt for bootstrapping their operations, maintaining control while developing profitable ventures over time. This more flexible approach allows founders to explore various business models and maintain a lifestyle that aligns with their personal values.
The Value of Operational Experience
The operational experience of the founders at Polychrome has greatly influenced their strategic approach to acquiring and nurturing developer tool companies. By focusing on companies that require support in sales and marketing rather than looking for purely financial transactions, they leverage their backgrounds to drive growth efficiently. Their first acquisition, Flagsmith, exemplified this hands-on involvement, with both founders actively engaging in sales and marketing efforts alongside the existing team. This approach not only creates immediate value but also allows for stronger, collaborative partnerships with the founders of the acquired companies.
Understanding Open Source Dynamics
Open source software represents a unique and promising area for Polychrome, as it often attracts technical founders who may lack expertise in go-to-market strategies. The founders emphasize the importance of understanding their target customer, especially in a competitive space marked by feature management tools. Establishing an effective open source philosophy was crucial for differentiating between the open and closed offerings of their products, ultimately allowing them to cater to both developers and enterprise clients. This focus on open source not only builds trust within the community but also creates a stable revenue base through enterprise offerings.
Choosing Partners Wisely
Acquiring a business involves more than just financial investment; it demands thoughtful consideration of the partners involved. It's essential to choose collaborators who share the same vision and are willing to engage in shared struggles, as the downside risks are significant. Founders should look for partners who exhibit commitment and 'skin in the game,' ensuring that they will be aligned through both the challenges and successes. Recognizing these dynamics can lead to more fruitful partnerships that enhance the potential for growth and sustainability in the developer tools sector.
Greg Lazarus and Matt Althauser are two of the cofounders of Polychrome - a company that buys small to medium sized B2B software businesses: with a focus on Developer Tools. Their portfolio includes the feature flagging tool Flagsmith (we recorded an episode with them last week) and the browser automation tool Browserless.
In this episode we cover the ins and outs of buying developer tools.
This episode is sponsored by WorkOS. If you're thinking about selling to enterprise customers, WorkOS can help you add enterprise features like Single Sign On and audit logs.
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