Startup Acquisition Stories

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

Tanmay Kejriwal didn’t plan to build a company.What started as a class project at TCU, a simple Shopify script to fix order issues, grew into Editify, a Shopify app with hundreds of users and steady revenue. Once listed on Acquire.com, it attracted multiple offers and was acquired in a profitable exit.In this episode, Tanmay shares how starting small, preparing well, and choosing the right buyer turned a side project into a real acquisition.You’ll hear:How organic growth from the Shopify App Store created traction without adsWhy documentation and clean preparation made the handoff easierWhat buyers looked for during due diligence, and how trust drove the dealWhy picking the right fit mattered more than chasing the highest offer3 lessons from Tanmay’s exit:Even small projects can become valuable if they solve real problemsPreparation builds buyer confidence and speeds up negotiationsThe right partner can matter more than the priceWhether you’re building your first product or managing a growing SaaS, Tanmay’s story shows how clarity, preparation, and focus can turn a student project into a successful exit.Follow Tanmay’s journey:LinkedInTwitterEditify AppMakeX App

Ion-Alexandru Secara didn’t chase flashy markets.He built GovCon in a Box to help small contractors cut through government red tape, simplify proposals, and win more deals. Thousands of paying customers followed, and within weeks of listing, the startup was acquired in a life-changing exit.In this episode, Ion shares how overlooked markets, smart validation, and clean preparation led to an acquisition most founders never expect.You’ll hear:Why tough, ignored markets can create stronger moatsHow a simple “Request a Feature” button drove validationWhat steady traction and clear records did for buyer confidenceWhy momentum matters once acquisition talks begin3 lessons from Ion’s exit:Complexity can hide the best opportunitiesCustomer validation keeps growth on trackPreparation accelerates every step of the dealWhether you’re building in a competitive niche or tackling a complex market, Ion’s story proves that clarity, focus, and discipline can turn obstacles into exits.Follow Ion's journey:LikedInTwitterSEO Forge

Itay Elgazar didn’t wait years to find his exit. He launched Superdev in early 2025, an AI tool that let developers build full-stack apps in minutes. Within months, it went viral, gained hundreds of paying users, and just two weeks after listing on Acquire.com, it was acquired in a life-changing exit.In this episode, Itay shares how he built, listed, and closed his exit faster than most founders think possible.You’ll hear:Why starting lean and focusing on real developer pain points accelerated tractionHow viral influencer content replaced paid ads and fueled growthWhat clean documentation and constant communication did to speed due diligenceWhy timing matters more than chasing the “perfect” deal3 lessons from Itay’s exit:Preparation builds credibilityDifferentiation attracts real buyersSelling while growth is visible creates leverageWhether you’re building to scale or preparing for a future acquisition, Superdev’s story shows that the right mix of timing, preparation, and traction can lead to a fast, clean deal.Follow Itay’s journey:LinkedInTwitterSuperdev

Said Korkmax and Esra Sinmaz built Appify Mobile, lean and bootstrapped. Without ad spend, they focused on App Store Optimization (ASO) to grow AI apps that caught fire in crowded app stores.Small tests soon turned into real traction. Their AI apps in beauty and effects gained organic installs, reviews confirmed demand, and revenue doubled in months. With momentum strong, they decided it was the right time to sell.Listing on Acquire.com brought buyers fast. By the second week, serious conversations were underway. Clean documentation, clear differentiation, and organic growth positioned Appify Mobile as a low-risk, high-potential acquisition. The exit gave Said and Esra both freedom and resources to focus on new projects.In this episode, you’ll learn:How ASO can drive traction without ad spendWhy documentation builds buyer trustHow timing can turn growth into a clean exit3 lessons from Said & Esra’s exit:Preparation and clarity build credibilityDifferentiation makes products stand outTiming your exit is everythingWhether you’re building to keep or selling to move on, Said & Esra’s story shows that preparation, clarity, and timing make all the difference.Follow our guests:► Esra Sinmaz – LinkedIn► Said Korkmax – LinkedIn► Appify Mobile

Teemu Raitaluoto had sold before.His first exit on Acquire.com was small, but it taught him exactly what slows buyers down. Two years later, with AIContentfy, he applied those lessons from day one — scaling to $1M ARR and selling in a clean, all-cash deal.This time, preparation made the difference. Clear documentation, systems that worked without him, and competitive listings turned the process into a life-changing acquisition.In this episode, Teemu shares:How preparing for buyers from day one builds leverageWhy systems keep a company resilient through setbacksHow competition among buyers maximizes final offersHere are 3 lessons from Teemu’s exit:Documentation in English opens global buyersCompetition drives better termsPreparation turns exits from small to life-changingWhether you’re scaling for growth or considering an exit, Teemu’s story proves that preparation from day one changes the outcome.Follow Teemu’s Journey:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠AIContentfy

Umar Khan, co-founder of the viral AI project ChatFAI, shares his unique journey of building a bootstrapped startup that emphasized long-term memory in conversations. He discusses how focusing on user engagement and community-driven growth allowed his platform to soar to 1M users. Umar reveals the importance of timing and preparation in navigating the selling process on Acquire.com, along with crucial lessons on differentiation and the value of streamlined due diligence. His insights are a goldmine for anyone contemplating an exit or seeking sustainable growth.

In this episode, JJ Englert, the founder of Trade Backlinks—an innovative SEO marketplace—talks about his journey from startup success to a profitable exit. He discusses the importance of early preparation for sale and how a loss of passion can signal it's time to move on. JJ shares insights into streamlining communication with buyers on Acquire.com and highlights three key lessons: trust through preparation, the impact of passion on performance, and the right platforms connecting sellers with serious buyers quickly.

Alex Carroll didn’t build Alpine Rings. He acquired it and scaled it to a $2.4M run rate.Once inside, he fixed what mattered: product pages, offer structure, and one $300 upgrade that drove 40% more revenue.When it was running lean and strong, he listed it on Acquire.com.No brokers. No earn-out. Just a clean, all-cash exit.In this episode, Alex shares:How does he prepare for the dealWhat made buyers move fastWhy clean documentation changed everything.3 lessons from Alex’s exit:One upgrade can change everythingBuyers trust clarity, not hypeYou don’t need to build from scratchWhether you’re buying to flip or scaling to exit, Alex’s story shows that clarity, execution, and timing are what make a great deal close fast.Follow Alex's Journey:LinkedIn