Startup Acquisition Stories

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

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