Startup Acquisition Stories

Maxime Berger built BlogBuster in public long before he tried to sell it.With no audience at first, he showed up daily and shared the work as it happened. That consistency created trust before the product ever launched and demand before pricing entered the picture.As the business took shape, feedback came early, expectations stayed clear, and buyers already understood the product. When BlogBuster was listed on Acquire.com, trust was already there.This episode shows how building in public can double as distribution, validation, and a trust engine that makes exits cleaner and easier.You’ll hear:Why building in public creates demand earlyHow consistency turns visibility into buyer trustWhy pricing should validate demand firstWhat makes a startup easier to evaluate and acquire3 lessons from BlogBuster:Demand before monetizationTrust compounds over timeClean exits start earlyFor founders considering an exit, this episode breaks down why trust often matters more than speed.Follow the guest:Maxime BergerBlogbuster

Arman Iranpour and Matt Aleali built Appraiva with a clear goal: make the business work before trying to scale it.Instead of chasing growth early, they focused on solving one problem well and building a product buyers could easily understand, operate, and evaluate. Appraiva grew around real investor workflows, with pricing and structure designed for clarity from day one.As the business matured, documentation, metrics, and processes followed naturally. Selling at Acquire.com wasn’t a reaction to pressure. It was a choice enabled by preparation.Their founder story shows how discipline, focus, and structure can turn a zero-to-one product into a business that’s genuinely ready to sell.You’ll hear:Why restraint can outperform early scalingHow clarity and documentation reduce buyer riskWhat makes a startup easier to evaluate and acquireWhen being ready to scale creates exit optionality3 lessons from Appraiva:Focus beats speedStructure creates leverageOptionality comes from preparationFor founders thinking about an exit, this episode breaks down why building a complete business matters more than chasing growth.Follow the guests:Arman IranpourMatt AlealiAppraiva

Samuel Abebe almost sold SpeakerSplit too early, but waiting turned it into a business that buyers actually wanted.Instead of cashing out fast, Samuel focused on building predictable revenue, operational clarity, and a subscription model that made the business easier to run and easier to evaluate. That decision changed everything.After starting SpeakerSplit as a side project, he waited long enough to create real momentum: recurring revenue, organic growth, clear documentation, and a product that buyers could confidently acquire.His founder story shows why timing matters and how patience can materially increase exit quality.You’ll hear:Why waiting can increase valuation and buyer confidenceHow subscription revenue changes acquisition outcomesWhat makes a startup easier to diligence and acquireWhen growth signals it’s the right time to sell3 lessons from SpeakerSplit:Waiting compounds valuePredictable revenue reduces buyer riskClarity beats speed when preparing for an exitFor founders thinking about selling, this episode breaks down why waiting, building structure, and staying disciplined can turn a startup into a buyer-ready business.Follow the guest:Samuel Abebe

Eddie Lobanovskiy, David Kovalev, and Phil Goodwin didn’t grow a design agency through hype.They built a subscription design business around systems, clarity, and predictable delivery, and that’s what attracted buyers.After years inside traditional agencies, they replaced proposals, meetings, and slow timelines with a simple operating model: recurring revenue, structured delivery cycles, and clear documentation. That structure made the business easier to run, easier to evaluate, and easier to acquire.Their founder story shows how operational clarity turns a service business into a buyer-ready asset.You’ll hear:Why subscription service businesses attract more buyers than agenciesHow predictable revenue builds buyer confidenceWhat makes service businesses easier to diligence and acquireWhen founders hit a growth ceiling and decide to sell3 lessons from Jamm Designs’ journey:Systems win because buyers trust consistency.Predictability matters because clarity reduces risk.The right buyer scales what founders choose not to.For founders building service businesses and thinking about an exit, this episode shows how systems, not hype, create real acquisition demand.Follow the guests:► Phil Goodwin► David Kovalev► Eddie Lobanovskiy► Unfold

Stewart Faught, a serial bootstrapped SaaS builder with 18 successful software acquisitions, shares his journey of creating niche local-business solutions without VC funding. He discusses the importance of vertical focus and simplicity, illustrating how tailored SaaS products thrive. Stewart emphasizes the value of partnerships over cold outreach and outlines his efficient acquisition process on Acquire.com. He offers insights on setting up a business for sale, structuring deals flexibly, and the essential preparations needed for successful exits in the startup world.

Seun Oshinaike built Street Tag, a fitness app that turned daily walks into friendly competition and community impact, to make movement fun again.Without VC funding or shortcuts, he grew Street Tag across the UK, proving that sustainable traction beats quick hype.When the time came, he sold it through Acquire.com in a clean, strategic acquisition that preserved the mission.His founder story demonstrates how preparation, documentation, and persistence turn a long-term vision into a smooth exit.You’ll hear:How Seun scaled Street Tag without VC moneyWhy clarity and documentation build trust with buyersHow a strategic buyer can amplify your mission after acquisition3 lessons from Seun’s exit:Transparency wins when honest founders build trust early.Preparation pays when clean data keeps momentum alive.Purpose scales when you choose people over offers.For bootstrapped founders considering an exit, this episode shows why discipline and clarity lead to the cleanest deals.Follow Seun’s journey:⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Street Tag

When a startup shut down overnight, Jesse Tinsley saw an opportunity. In less than 48 hours, he transformed a company that had gone dormant into a profitable and growing business.His founder story demonstrates how swift action, clarity, and a robust operational foundation can transform chaos into seamless execution.As the founder and CEO of Mainstreet, Jesse acquired a failed startup, rebuilt its infrastructure, and brought the service back online before competitors could react, turning what looked like a loss into one of the fastest acquisitions in the space.You’ll hear:How to move fast when an opportunity suddenly appearsWhy clarity and focus matter more than timingHow Jesse’s team rebuilt a business in a single weekend3 lessons from Jesse’s acquisition:Speed wins: decisive founders create their own luckClarity pays: clean systems turn pressure into profitEfficiency lasts: discipline beats funding every timeWhether you’re looking to acquire, rebuild, or scale a startup, this episode shows how calm execution and sharp decisions can turn shutdowns into exits.Follow Jesse’s journey:⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠Mainstreet⁠⁠

Growing fast isn’t the only way to succeed. For Jordan Richards, staying consistent was what made his exit possible.His founder story shows how discipline and documentation can turn a small agency into a clean, profitable acquisition.As the founder of Local Comets, a digital-marketing agency serving home-service businesses across the U.S., Jordan built steady revenue, lean systems, and predictable results.When the time came to sell, his organized SOP library made due diligence effortless and buyer trust immediate.You’ll hear:How to build repeatable systems that scale smoothlyWhy documentation sells faster than marketing hypeWhat preparation speeds up due diligence on ⁠Acquire.com⁠How focus and structure lead to clean exits3 lessons from Jordan’s exit:Consistency compounds: small habits drive big outcomesTransparency sells: organized systems build confidenceKnow when to move on: builders and scalers play different gamesWhether you’re running an agency or building SaaS, this episode is your blueprint for creating clarity, value, and a smooth startup sale.Follow Jordan’s journey:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Local CometsJordan Richards⁠

Running small projects may not be glamorous. But for Thomas Ulman, it was the smartest way to scale and sell. His founder story shows how improving what already works can lead to clean, profitable exits.He took over Waitlist.email, a launch waitlist tool for founders, and Text.run, a minimalist personal-site builder. Instead of starting from scratch, he improved both products, rebuilt user trust, and sold them through Acquire.com, turning side projects into successful exits.Simplicity shaped the outcome. By removing free tiers, listening to users, and leveraging SEO, Thomas grew revenue with no paid ads. Both products were sold within weeks after listing.You’ll hear:How to find value in small SaaS projectsWhy simplicity can outperform scale in growthWhat to fix before listing a business for acquisitionHow fast deals close when documentation is clean and trust is high3 lessons from Thomas’s exits:Small doesn’t mean insignificant — improve what worksPredictable, well-documented products sell fasterFocus and simplicity drive profitable outcomesWhether you’re building SaaS or managing side projects, this episode is your blueprint for lean growth, focus, and smart exits.Follow Thomas’s journey:LinkedInAlmostHuman.digital

Running two startups sounds ambitious. But for Nikita Danilov, it became a signal to focus. His startup exit story shows why knowing when to sell and finding the right buyer matters most.He built SwiftNet, a subscription internet service for RV travelers, into steady revenue and hundreds of loyal users. At the same time, his second venture, Upside, demanded more of his energy. The solution was clear: sell SwiftNet, focus fully on Upside, and keep building in one direction.Patience shaped the exit. Nikita spent months talking to buyers, refining his pitch, and waiting for the right fit. When Star Holdings appeared, the acquisition closed in just 30 days.You’ll hear:How founders know the right time to sell a startupWhy patience during the acquisition process protects valuationWhat preparation can be done to speed up due diligence and build trustHow startup exits can close in weeks once the founder and buyer align3 lessons from Nikita’s exit:Focus on one business to unlock real growthWaiting for the right buyer leads to a cleaner outcomePreparation turns long waits into fast, profitable exitsWhether you’re balancing two ventures or planning your first startup exit, this founder story is your playbook for timing, focus, and patience.Follow Nikita’s journey:⁠LinkedIn ⁠InstagramSwiftNetUpside