SaaS Business
Our process is fast, easy to understand, and founder friendly.
(SCROLL)
Thinking about selling your SaaS business? We’ll guide you from valuation to close with a smooth, white-glove process.
Whether you run a B2B platform, vertical SaaS product, or subscription-based tool, we help software founders unlock the full value of what they’ve built. From expert valuations to curated buyer matches, we make the process stress-free and tailored to you.
We like to sell SaaS Business that have:
Sustainable Margins
Above 15%
Healthy profit
From $500K to $5M
Successful operations
Of three years or longer
A positive and ethical approach
No sketchy stuff
And bonus points for businesses that have:
A simple business model
You can explain it to your parents
A unique advantage
Like service offering or niche
A high-quality team
A great team with a positive culture
Solid transition plan
Of 90 days or longer
Strong Customer Economics
Like high lifetime value (LTV), low customer churn, and strong net revenue retention
Operational Stability
Documented onboarding flows, product roadmap consistency, and a reliable dev team
Brand IP or Differentiation
Think proprietary tech, sticky integrations, niche positioning, or unique go-to-market strategy
Clean Metrics & Low Return Rates
Buyers love clarity — and low returns = high confidence
We work with founders who decide to sell their SaaS business for the following reasons:
Market Timing
The founder sees strong user growth, low churn, or favorable funding conditions and wants to capitalize while SaaS multiples are high. It’s a chance to maximize return before the market shifts.
Operational Burnout
Running a SaaS company means constant product iteration, customer support, and investor updates. Founders may sell to step back from the grind and regain personal freedom.
Scaling Limitations
Some SaaS companies hit a growth plateau and need a partner to scale. That might include expanding the team, entering new markets, or accelerating product development.
Industry Disruption
Changes in technology, pricing models, or competitive tools can push SaaS founders to sell before growth slows. Companies tied to a single platform or customer segment may feel this pressure most.
Life Changes
Family priorities, health issues, or lifestyle shifts can lead founders to explore an exit, especially when the business is stable and still performing well.
New Ventures
SaaS founders are natural builders. After scaling one company, many want to pursue a new product, explore another market, or reclaim time and capital for the next big idea.
Team Transitions
Key team members may be moving on, or the founder no longer wants to manage employees and contractors — making this the right time to pass the baton.
Exit Planning Strategies
Some founders always planned to sell and are simply executing on that plan now that the business has hit the right size, stability, and valuation.
Strategic Buyout
A compelling offer from a strategic buyer or aggregator can create a win-win situation that aligns with the founder’s goals — prompting a sale even if they weren’t actively seeking one.
Don’t go at this alone. Use our resources. Get inspired by our market guides and let’s tackle this together.
From Code to Close: How to Sell a SaaS Business the Smart Way
Selling your SaaS business takes more than great code. This founder-focused guide breaks down valuation, buyer types, metrics, and deal structure. At Merge, we help SaaS founders run competitive processes and close confidently, with hands-on support every step of the way.
Is It Time to Exit? How to Know When to Sell Your SaaS Business
Wondering if now’s the right time to sell your SaaS business? This guide covers personal, financial, and market signals to help you decide. At Merge, we help founders evaluate timing, prep for optionality, and exit on their terms with clarity, strategy, and support.
Valuing a SaaS Business: A Founder’s Guide to Understanding What Your SaaS Is Really Worth
Not sure what your SaaS business is really worth? This guide breaks down valuation methods, key metrics, and value drivers to help you understand and improve your number. At Merge, we give founders clear, data-backed insights and help them build toward stronger, smoother exits.
Your SaaS Exit Playbook: Crafting a Winning Exit Strategy For SaaS Business
Ready to sell your SaaS business but not sure where to start? This playbook walks you through every step of building a smart exit strategy, from goal setting to valuation prep and buyer targeting. At Merge, we help SaaS founders plan ahead, avoid missteps, and exit with clarity and confidence.
Mistakes When Selling a SaaS Business: Exit Regret Is Real
Selling your SaaS business should feel like a win, not a regret. This guide breaks down the most common founder missteps like poor timing, messy financials, and DIY deals and how to avoid them. At Merge, we help founders sell smarter with the right prep, the right buyers, and the right support.
What Buyers of a SaaS Business Really Want and How to Deliver
Thinking about selling your SaaS company? To get the best outcome, you need to understand what buyers really want. From recurring revenue and low churn to clean operations, scalable growth, and strong tech, this guide breaks down the key traits serious buyers look for and how to deliver on each one so you can position your business for a high-value exit.
What You Need to Know About Taxes on Selling a SaaS Business
Curious how much of your SaaS exit you actually get to keep? Don’t overlook the tax side of your exit—it can dramatically impact your net payout. From deal structure and QSBS eligibility to capital gains, state taxes, and earn-outs, this guide breaks down the tax basics in plain English. Learn how to plan ahead, avoid common pitfalls, and structure your deal in a way that protects your payday.
Preparing a SaaS Business for Sale Starts Long Before You List
Getting your SaaS company ready to sell takes more than a last-minute checklist. This guide breaks down what it really takes to prep, from financial cleanup and team structure to churn reduction and go-to-market strategy. With the right groundwork, you’ll increase your valuation, attract better buyers, and exit on your terms.
We demystify M&A and simplify the process for SaaS founders, helping them navigate each step with confidence and clarity.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start with a confidential chat to understand your goals, timing, and software model. This helps us build a clear exit plan tailored to your SaaS product, customer base, and ownership structure.
Step 2: Valuation
Our team conducts a full valuation based on your company’s financials, recurring revenue (MRR or ARR), churn, CAC, and growth rate. We analyze customer mix, margin health, and SaaS market comps to determine a fair, data-backed asking price.
Step 3: Market Positioning
We identify your software company’s strongest selling points like sticky users, unique tech, or standout team. Then we position your business to attract the right buyers and maximize market interest.
Step 4: Preparation of Marketing Materials
We create a compelling, data-packed prospectus that tells your SaaS company’s story. It highlights your product, business model, tech stack, metrics like MRR and churn, and long-term growth potential.
Step 5: Buyer Identification and Screening
Using our vetted SaaS buyer network, we match your company with serious, pre-qualified acquirers who understand the software space and are actively looking for businesses like yours.
Step 6: Presentations and Meetings
We line up meetings with top SaaS buyers and help you prep for each one. You’ll feel confident telling your story while we handle the logistics, follow-ups, and buyer communication.
Step 7: Negotiations and Offers
Once offers roll in, we help you compare deal terms, negotiate price, and protect your interests—whether that’s cash at close, a revenue-based earnout, or a phased transition plan that fits your SaaS goals
Step 8: Due Diligence
We organize your SaaS company’s key financials, customer contracts, tech stack details, team setup, and KPIs like MRR and churn. Our goal is a smooth diligence process that keeps things moving forward.
Step 9: Closing and Transition
We coordinate the final documents, transfer assets like codebases and customer data, and guide a seamless handoff. Whether you’re exiting fully or staying on temporarily, we’ll make sure it’s smooth sailing.
Our fee structure is simple, transparent, and aligned with your success.
During the engagement, while our team works to match your SaaS business with the perfect buyer, you’ll pay a monthly retainer ranging from $5,000–$20,000 depending on the size and complexity of your business. When the deal closes, you pay a success fee equal to 10% of the cash consideration received at closing. No hidden fees, no surprises—just a structure designed to keep everyone incentivized and focused on your best outcome.
Our Strategic Engagements Are Designed to Maximize Your Exit.
Our three signature engagements go beyond traditional M&A advisory, helping SaaS founders confidently navigate every phase of selling their business. Backed by deep sector knowledge and a proven track record, each engagement is tailored to your company’s specific goals. Whether you're prepping for a sale, responding to inbound buyer interest, or ready to hit the market, our process delivers clarity, confidence, and the best possible outcome.
1. Valuation Only
(Understand & Assess)
Curious what your SaaS business is worth? This engagement gives you a clear, data-backed valuation using SaaS benchmarks and performance metrics like MRR, churn, and CAC. Get the insights you need to decide if, when, and how to sell—without pressure or commitment.
2. Transaction Support
(Advise & Execute)
Already in talks with a buyer? We’ll step in to guide you through the deal. From negotiating price and terms to organizing diligence and protecting your interests, we make sure the process is smooth, strategic, and seller-friendly—no retainer required.
3. Full Go-to-Market Representation
(Prepare & Represent)
This is the full-service, white-glove experience for SaaS founders. We handle everything from valuation, positioning, and go-to-market strategy to buyer outreach, negotiation, and closing. You stay focused on growing your platform while we run the entire sale process. It’s the best fit for SaaS founders seeking top-tier offers, the right acquirer, and a smooth, high-value exit.
Since 2015, we've guided over 1,000 businesses through valuations & acquisitions.
In the dynamic realm of M&A, experience isn't just a bonus—it's the key ingredient that empowers buyers and sellers to navigate the intricate process with assurance and also achieve their goals.
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What
The
FAQ
We specialize in working with founder-led SaaS companies that have strong recurring revenue, low churn, and clear product-market fit. Ideal businesses have clean financials, scalable infrastructure, and a loyal user base—making them attractive to strategic and financial buyers alike.
We look at a blend of metrics like revenue multiples, gross and net retention, churn rate, LTV:CAC ratio, and growth trajectory. We also factor in product stickiness, customer concentration, and scalability. Our SaaS valuation approach reflects what modern buyers actually care about—predictable revenue, strong margins, and long-term upside.
Yes — confidentiality is core to our process. We use blind listings, vetted NDAs, and structured buyer communication to ensure your brand and team aren’t exposed until the right time.
We’ve built a curated network of SaaS-focused buyers, including strategic acquirers, holding companies, private equity firms, and high-net-worth individuals actively looking for software companies. We also run targeted outreach to match your business with ideal buyers based on metrics like ARR, churn rate, tech stack, and growth potential.
That’s totally fine. Many founders come to us just to understand their valuation or exit options. We’ll give you honest insights and a roadmap, so when the time is right, you’re prepared.
We charge a monthly retainer during the engagement and a success fee based on the cash you receive at closing. Our structure is aligned to get you the best outcome — no hidden costs, ever.
Most SaaS exits take 4 to 6 months from kickoff to close, but it depends on your preparation, financials, and deal complexity. We’ll move as fast as you’re ready.
Focus on clean financials, accurate SaaS metrics (like MRR, churn, and LTV:CAC), reducing founder dependency, and documenting your product roadmap and team structure. We’ll guide you through the rest.
We do the heavy lifting — outreach, vetting, negotiations — so you can focus on running your business. You’ll join key calls and review offers, but we keep things efficient and founder-friendly.
That depends on your goals and the buyer’s needs. Some founders transition out quickly; others stay on during an earnout. We’ll help structure the post-sale plan that works best for you.