Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#71

Post by aerovistae » Fri, May 22, 2015, 8:50 PM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #23

sgallant wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The talk wasn't recorded, was it?

Rob Walling and Mike Taber have a more authoritative answer on that than I do. There was a videographer there but I'm not sure what got shot. Don't quote me on this, but I think the talks were recorded. They typically release them midway through the year as part of marketing the next conference.

Unrelated to this thread, but have to say, text/background color contrasts and font sizes on starfighter landing page are a bit painful to the eyes.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#72

Post by jacquesm » Fri, May 22, 2015, 8:54 PM UTC

bostonpete wrote: post #70

jacquesm wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's to protect the broker, not the company. They don't want you to bypass them.

I would think it protects the company just as much. I've never sold a company but I'd imagine that people often don't want their customers and/or employees knowing that they're shopping the company around. Requiring an NDA before the company name is shared presumably makes it significantly less likely that word will spread in undesired ways...

It's quite hard to gain traction on a corporate sale and you're right that keeping the customers and the consumers in the dark is 'par for the course', but to withhold the name of the company from an interested party serves only one goal.

Think about it: I have this company for sale but I won't tell you which one it is until you sign this document.

What's is there to lose for the company to have its name spread to those that might be interested?

It's not like they're advertising the name in the NYT or making it public other than on a one-to-one basis with leads and those leads are definitely not going to publish the name if they're really interested because the last thing they need is more interest from others.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#73

Post by marissamary » Fri, May 22, 2015, 8:55 PM UTC

http://sideprojectsforsale.com - I had the same thought last year and made this working prototype for these types of businesses. It's pretty straightforward and mostly for the purpose of putting people in touch.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#74

Post by cookiecaper » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:19 PM UTC

I just want to say this thread is awesome. I have a side project that makes real, substantial revenue that I've been wanting to offload for a while. I don't think it's quite in condition to be listed with a broker yet, but it's great to hear about these resources and read about other hacker-entrepreneurs experiences offloading their own side projects.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#75

Post by jfccohen » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:23 PM UTC

Ask Patrick McKenzie!

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#76

Post by jfccohen » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:23 PM UTC

Ask Patrick McKenzie!

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#77

Post by gknoy » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:37 PM UTC

edbyrne wrote: post #32

Drop me a note (email is in my profile) if you'd like to look at a SaaS business at the higher end of your revenue target.

Note: While HN's profile indeed shows an email field, that's not made public to people looking at your profile. You will need to put it (obfuscated) in your "About" section if you want other users to be able to see it.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#78

Post by rexreed » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:40 PM UTC

justintocci wrote: post #37

rexreed wrote: post #30

I (had) a good ecommerce inventory management company going - if you want to buy it, drop me a note. I'm on to bigger / better things.

you don't have any contact info on your profile

fixed ;)

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#79

Post by forestcall » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:42 PM UTC

I own Peaceofcode.com a PAAS with a focus on remote software development. Think Freelancer/Elance but with project manager/project owner/developer roles and business process flow to reduce risk (scrum/git/unit testing). In the past we focused on creating features that greatly reduce the risk of loss for the customer and development people. This last year we moved toward scrum and extreme programming features throughout the platform. We want to create a API and integrate 50+ 3rd party tools such as (codio.com Online IDE). A big feature-set we want to complete is based around opening the platform so the members can actively steer the features we release. Another endeavor we want to move forward is a "non-profit foundation" that focuses on Online Remote Software Development and identifying a "standard".

We want to give away up to 50% of the company in exchange for working capital and business expertise.

We do not want to sell the company but we dont mind giving up majority ownership so long as we can stay on as key executives. I currently own the company 50/50 with another American.

Any ideas how we might find such partners?

Sorry if I am way off topic.....

Re: Ask HN: Where can I buy real software companies?

#80

Post by antaviana » Fri, May 22, 2015, 9:46 PM UTC

tobltobs wrote: post #40

bluedevil2k wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think that multiple is right - for a $500k rev software company, I wouldn't pay any more than 3x.

This 3x yearly earnings is mentioned quite often. But I can't believe anybody is selling for this. Maybe for 5x if you are in need of money. And in times of zero interest rates this 3x thing sounds even more unbelievable.

3x revenue, not 3x earnings. Revenue and earnings are two different beasts.