I'd be interested in hearing advice/stories from anybody that has negotiated an acquisition. Specifically, the acquisition of a tiny startup (1-5 people) by a huge company. Thanks.
Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
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Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#2here's one:
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#3Some more details on what I'd like to hear:
- Which party approached the other
- Who throws out the first offer
- How is value determined in the absence of any outside investments
- What are the attorney fees
- Negotiating favorable terms for post-acquisition work at the acquiring company
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#4Some more details on what I'd like to hear: - Which party approached the other - Who throws out the first offer - How is value determined in the absence of any outside investments - What are the attorney fees - Negotiating favorable terms for post-acquisition work at the acquiring company
Re: first offer:
Ask pg.news.yc: How do acquisition prices get settled?
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#5This isn't a huge company acquiring, but we sold our first start up and are working on our second these stories might help.
Part 1: Why sell a profitable site: http://blog.pretheory.com/arch/2007/08/why_sell_a_profitable...
Part 2: Closing the deal Lessons selling a website: http://blog.pretheory.com/arch/2007/08/closing_the_deal_sell...
Hope it helps, are you currently in negotiations? Verbal Agreement? Handshakes?
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#6Funny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished.
I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#7Funny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished. I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
pg publish it :)
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#8Funny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished. I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
That's great. I love the idea that there's a secret Paul Graham essay, one revealed only to initiates facing the ultimate test. A nice poetic touch, like the black t-shirts.
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#9Funny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished. I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
Paul could you please publish it or if it's not suitable could you send via email. We're a startup from India, there's no ecosystem for startup's here unlike the valley.We've been looking for guidance mostly on the web and you're writings have been extremely helpful to us.In fact your writings have been one of the most important factors of inspiration for our belief that "it can be done !"
Re: Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
#10Funny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished. I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
I assume that the most important message of that unpublished essay is "Remember, deals fall through"