Startup Acquisition Stories

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

Rich J. Yun didn’t build Jet Designs to sell it. He built it to solve a real need: on-demand design support for early-stage startups.But once it was running smoothly, he listed it on Acquire.com. No brokers. No outside capital. Just a clean listing and the right buyer.Within days, the deal was done. All cash. No earn-out. No complications.In this episode, Rich explains how he prepared for a fast exit using Acquire.com templates, recording walkthroughs on Loom, and managing multiple buyers without letting things drag.He also shares how to structure your data room, what buyers really look for in service businesses, and how to stay flexible to close faster.You’ll learn:How to prep a design services business for acquisitionWhy documentation creates speed and trustHow to juggle multiple buyers with confidenceWhy founders don’t need “scale” to sellWhat Rich included in his listing that made it stand out3 lessons from Rich’s exit:Clear docs remove 90% of buyer objectionsAcquire’s resources (templates + videos) save time and stressIf you’re honest and prepared, buyers move fastWhether you’re running a solo service or a small SaaS, Rich’s exit shows that simplicity, clarity, and preparation are all you need.Follow Rich’s journey:→ LinkedIn→ Twitter→ Jet Designs

Omar Zouhair didn’t build PageCrafter to flip it. He built it to fix a bottleneck in his own team. But once it worked, he listed it on Acquire.com with no expectations.Seven days later, the deal was done. All cash. No earn-out. No back-and-forth.In this episode, Omar breaks down what made the deal so fast: clean documentation, transparency, and flexibility.He also shares the exact files he created, how he managed buyer calls, and why being clear about handoff terms makes everything easier.You’ll learn:How to prep a SaaS for acquisition, even if it’s tinyWhy good documentation can 10x buyer trustWhat makes a buyer skip the earn-outHow to list even if your product isn’t “done”What founders should do before they scale3 lessons from Omar’s exit:Buyers don’t always need scale, they need clarityA simple Figma file can make diligence frictionlessThe right timing beats the perfect productWhether you're running a side project or a small SaaS, Omar’s story proves that speed comes from preparation.Follow Omar’s journey:→ LinkedIn→ Twitter→ PageCrafter

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.

Matt Brenton didn’t build BigPawShop to scale aggressively. He built it to work for real customers, with real margins, and a clear brand identity. What started as a side hustle became a profitable niche eCommerce business selling bold, custom dog collars.In this episode, Matt shares how he grew the brand without paid ads, structured his operations with intention, and successfully sold the business through Acquire.com. He walks through what made the brand attractive to buyers, how he managed the listing, and what a clean, founder-first exit really looks like.You’ll learn:How to run a lean eCommerce brand with strong retention Why emotional products can still be strategic assetsWhat buyers look for in simple, documented Shopify storesHow to prep your business so it sells fast and cleanWhy timing and founder clarity make all the difference3 lessons from Matt’s exit:Keep it focused: a niche product with loyal buyers has real valueDocument everything before you listA buyer who respects your work makes the exit easierWhether you’re running an eCommerce brand or thinking about your own exit, Matt’s story shows how to prepare, sell, and move on with clarity.Follow Matt's journey on LinkedIn

Siyabend Özdemir, who bootstrapped and sold his AI startup Gen PPT at just 18, shares his incredible journey. He discusses how he validated his idea through a real SEO dataset and leveraged a strong presence on X for growth. Siyabend highlights the smooth acquisition process, emphasizing the importance of organizational readiness and the right platform choice. He also reflects on handling burnout and hints at exciting future ventures, proving that age is no barrier to entrepreneurial success.