Andrew Gazdecki - How to sell your startup in 2026
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Summary
In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki, founder of Acquire.com, shares insights on the startup acquisition landscape, discussing the challenges of building a marketplace, current trends in startups, and the evolving buyer landscape. He emphasizes the importance of preparation for founders looking to sell their businesses and highlights common mistakes that can derail deals. Gazdecki also explores the shift in valuation trends from revenue to profit multiples and the impact of AI on the acquisition process. He concludes with advice for founders on building to exit and the potential of productized services in the market.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Acquire.com and Andrew Gazdecki
01:30 Building a marketplace: The initial challenges
03:48 Current trends in startups and business models
05:29 Acquisition landscape: Who's buying startups?
08:04 Valuation shifts: From revenue to profit multiples
10:52 The acquisition timeline: What to expect
12:44 Preparation for sale: Key factors for success
14:33 Surprising success stories in Acquire.com
15:39 Advice for founders considering an exit
17:45 Designing startups with exit strategies in mind
19:33 Common pitfalls in startup acquisitions
21:47 Building to exit vs. Building to own
22:42 The irony of business ownership
23:49 Buying back your time
25:21 The shift to productized services
26:39 AI and the future of acquisitions
29:53 Expanding into new categories
32:15 Starting from scratch: Business ideas
34:45 The potential of newsletters
36:49 The underrated skills of founders
Takeaways
- Andrew Gazdecki is the founder of Acquire.com, a marketplace for buying and selling online businesses.
- Building a marketplace involves overcoming the chicken and egg problem of attracting both buyers and sellers.
- Current trends show a rise in software-driven SaaS businesses, particularly those utilizing AI.
- Preparation is crucial for founders looking to sell their businesses to ensure a smooth acquisition process.
- Surprises during due diligence can derail deals, making transparency essential.
- Founders should consider building their businesses with an exit strategy in mind.
- Productized services are gaining traction and can lead to higher valuations compared to traditional service models.
- AI is playing an increasing role in the acquisition process, but human elements remain vital.
- Valuation trends are shifting from revenue multiples to profit multiples, emphasizing profitability.
- Founders should engage in due diligence for every acquisition to avoid potential pitfalls.
About the guest
Albi Zhulali
About the host
Albi Zhulali