Starting your own business is a considerable risk. There’s a lack of certainty day by day and even more so quarter by quarter. It can be stressful and possibly even prematurely ageing! Equally, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience to grow a company to the point where acquisition is a real possibility. 

Getting acquired is a big consideration for founders of startups and small businesses. If you’ve ever considered whether serious potential buyers are out there, you’re certainly not alone.   

But what makes it all worth it? Sure, a flush bank account is great. But what else is there to be excited about when you finally relinquish control and sell your company? The good news is that there’s plenty to get excited about. Here are five of the most exciting things you can look forward to after acquisition.

5 things to get excited about when getting acquired

1. Taking some well-earned time off

As a startup founder, you’ve probably spent years building your business from the ground up. You’ve sacrificed sleep, weekends and social events to get it where it is today. But now, you’re ready to move on to the next phase of your life.

Selling your business is a huge accomplishment, and you deserve to take some time off to enjoy your hard-earned success. Make sure to take time for yourself. Relax, recharge and enjoy this exciting new chapter of your life.

You might be eager to get on with the next big thing, but taking some time off is crucial. Rushing straight into your new idea can be a mistake; you need to take time to work out your next step and ultimate goal.

2. Enjoying financial freedom

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and it’s essential to keep a close eye on it. However, if you have too much cash tied up in your business, it can prevent you from paying off personal debts. This can put a strain on your personal finances and lead to stress.

Once the sale of your business is complete, you’ll probably be able to pay off any outstanding debts and free yourself of this burden. This can be incredibly liberating and give startup founders a fresh slate for whatever they decide to do next.

3. Putting your money to good use

When a business owner sells their company, they often have a lot of cash on hand. Some may choose to donate to charity, start a nonprofit foundation or become an angel investor with this money. Targeted investing can be a great way to achieve both charitable and financial objectives.

For example, let’s say you have a background in SAAS. You could choose to invest in SAAS-based startups. This would allow you to help new entrepreneurs while also furthering your own financial goals. Of course, there are many different ways to approach targeted investing. The key is to find an approach that aligns with your own goals and values.

4. Expanding your professional portfolio

After selling your business, you’ll find yourself with some extra time and more money. This can be an excellent opportunity to expand your professional portfolio. Perhaps there’s a new industry you’ve always been interested in exploring. Or maybe there are skills you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time.

Whatever the case, now is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and build up your portfolio. So don’t be afraid to take advantage of this opportunity to explore new territory and grow professionally. There’s no telling where it might lead.

5. Retiring and relaxing

Depending on where you are in your personal and professional life, retirement is a very real option after selling your business. For many entrepreneurs, retirement is the ultimate goal. After years of hard work and dedication, they want nothing more than to spend time with their loved ones and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Fortunately, with a bit of planning, the sale of a business can provide the necessary funds to make retirement a reality. By working with trusted advisors, business owners can ensure that they get the best possible price for their company and that the proceeds are properly invested for the future. With a bit of foresight, entrepreneurship can genuinely be a path to a comfortable and enjoyable retirement.

The need for a modern M&A solution

Until now, there’s not really been a way to identify serious acquisition opportunities cost-effectively. It’s difficult to determine how much buyers will genuinely pay for your startup through an acquisition. For small business founders, there’s a lot to consider, including:

• Competitor movements
• Regulation
• Available cash.

Millions of startup founders have faced the choice between continuing a funding round or exiting. Choosing between the two is a challenge, and sadly, the reality is that many startups fail due to acquisition difficulties and a lack of knowledge of the process.

The most common solution to running an M&A process is to use an M&A broker. M&A brokers charge hefty fees to explore the market and find potential acquirers. But even with an M&A broker, there are no guarantees that you’ll get the results you want.

That’s where Foundy comes in. A digital marketplace for startups; Foundy was created to make mergers and acquisitions easy for entrepreneurs. You can list your business anonymously in as little as 15 minutes and make your business visible to a vast number of vetted buyers.

Getting acquired made easy

“Our platform makes running a prospective acquisition process clearer, more cost and time-efficient, and, to be honest, quite a lot of fun too,” says Joe Lewin, CEO and Founder of Foundy.

“My personal experience of being acquired was not fun, nor was it efficient. It was time-consuming and stressful. It affected my wellbeing both personally and at work. I believe I can speak on behalf of the tens of thousands of founders who have experienced the complexities of an M&A process and recognise it’s outdated and in serious need of a modern solution.”

Foundy is one of the only European-based online platform where you can easily list your business for investment or acquisition. It’s designed to make every stage of your acquisition journey easier. By joining Foundy as a seller today, you’ll get:

• A free business listing
• Access to vetted lawyers, advisors, tax experts, brokers and more
• Access to a vast pool of resources and startup advice.

Ready to start the next chapter in your life? Join Foundy as a seller today to start receiving offers and negotiating the best deal for your startup. Foundy gives entrepreneurs the freedom to fly. Prepare for takeoff.