Startup Acquisition Stories

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.

Christopher Schwab didn’t build Inova Local to chase scale. He built it to solve a real problem: how to support home service businesses with reliable, high-quality remote admin help.What started as a side project quickly became a profitable VA agency—and a company built for flexibility, documentation, and clean operations. In this episode, Christopher shares how he grew the business with intention and sold it through a fast, strategic acquisition.You’ll learn:Why lean, recurring models outperform traditional staffingWhat made remote operations hard to sell before the pandemicHow to prepare your company for a fast, low-friction exitWhat buyers actually care about—and what catches them off guardHow to balance growth, team care, and long-term personal goals3 lessons from Christopher’s exit:Simplicity and documentation make due diligence easyKnow what the business means to you—and what’s nextTake care of your team through the transitionWhether you're scaling a remote service or considering your own exit, this conversation is a playbook for founders who want to build—and exit—with clarity.Listen now to hear how Christopher structured his acquisition and what he's building next.Follow Christopher on LinkedIn

Trevor Lee, founder of Genius Sheets, a thriving product-led SaaS that automates finance reporting, shares his journey from bootstrapping to acquisition. He reveals how strategic partnerships with industry giants like QuickBooks and Microsoft fueled his company's growth. Trevor emphasizes the importance of sustainable customer acquisition, effective pricing strategies, and the criticality of a compelling pitch during buyer negotiations. He also offers invaluable exit tips, highlighting the need for early automation and real user feedback, while teasing his exciting new venture, Myko.

If Christopher Lier could give three key pieces of advice to SaaS founders planning an exit, they would be:Build a focused product that solves a specific problemBe fully transparent during the acquisition processNever settle for a deal you’re not comfortable withChristopher is the co-founder of LeadGen App, a form builder optimized for lead generation. What began as a side project between an SEO expert and a developer in the UK quickly evolved into a profitable micro-SaaS. No venture capital. No big team. Just strong SEO, clear systems, and consistent execution.In this episode, host Andrew Gazdecki talks with Christopher about:How to launch and grow a lean SaaS product from scratchThe importance of SEO, Facebook groups, and direct outreach for acquiring your first usersWhat the acquisition process on Acquire.com looks like, from listing to closingHow documented SOPs and a reliable team streamlined due diligenceWhy selecting the right buyer is about shared vision, not just priceWhether you're bootstrapping, scaling, or preparing to sell a SaaS company, this episode offers actionable insights and hard-earned lessons from someone who’s successfully done it.Listen now and learn what it really takes to build, grow, and exit a micro-SaaS.Follow Christopher’s journey:LinkedIn

If Johann Sathianathen could give two key pieces of advice to founders who want to sell a startup fast, he’d say:Build and sell early—even while working full-timeReinvest stable income to accelerate your startup runwayJohann Sathianathen was just 20 years old when he made his first bootstrapped exit, selling his startup Jars Global through Acquire.com. Before that, he dropped out of college, became the youngest full-time software engineer at Cisco, and used his salary to fund a small team and launch multiple startup projects.Jars began as a side hustle focused on competitive intelligence for e-commerce businesses. As traction grew, Johann listed it on Acquire.com. The selling process was smooth, the deal closed quickly, and Johann walked away with both capital and momentum to go full-time on his founder journey.But for Johann, selling Jars was just the beginning. He believes that a portfolio founder approach reduces risk and multiplies opportunity. By building multiple SaaS startups with lean teams, he maximized his chances of success—and today, he’s scaling a growing portfolio, focused on solving real problems and moving fast.Tune in to the Acquire podcast with Andrew Gazdecki and Johann Sathianathen to discover:How Johann built and sold his startup while still a teenagerWhy becoming a "portfolio founder" changes everythingHow to leverage your salary to bootstrap and scale fasterWhat happens emotionally and financially after your first startup exitJohann is just getting started, and you can follow his journey below.LinkedIn