Dirk Sahlmer

Dirk Sahlmer, a serial SaaS acquirer and former mechanical engineer, shares his fascinating journey into the world of tech acquisitions. He discusses how he scaled from acquiring one business a year to managing multiple annually. Dirk dives into essential funding strategies for acquisitions, the value of strategic deal sourcing, and the complexities of merging businesses. He also explores the importance of preserving strengths in acquired companies and emphasizes the potential for growth in the SaaS sector.

In this conversation, Dirk Sahlmer, Head of Origination at SaaS Group, shares his expertise on preparing for a successful exit in the SaaS world. He highlights crucial exit readiness indicators that founders should prioritize. Dirk suggests key value drivers that can impact business valuation and discusses common pitfalls that may deter potential buyers. He emphasizes the significance of having historical and current data readily available for acquirers, along with the importance of establishing relationships with them.

Stephan Jacquemot, Investment Partner bei TS Ventures und Gründer des Microsoft Accelerators, sowie Dirk Sahlmer, Head of Origination bei der SaaS Group, beleuchten die Unterschiede in der Bewertung von Startups bei Investitionen und Exits. Sie diskutieren, wie die SaaS Group profitable, aber oft von VCs übersehene Unternehmen akquiriert. Dirk erklärt die Bewertungslogiken und Umsatzmultiplikatoren und Stephan setzt die hohe Wertschätzung in VC-Runden in Perspektive. Gemeinsam reflektieren sie über die Trends und Herausforderungen im SaaS- und AI-Bereich.