4 ms·
Missing from PG's startup essays: acquisition negotiations strategy/advice?
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.
- fleaflicker 19y agohere's one: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40584 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40584
- os111 19y agoSome 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
- fleaflicker 19y agoRe: first offer: Ask pg.news.yc: How do acquisition prices get settled? http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45337 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45337
- wastedbrains 19y agoThis 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_website.php 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_selling_a_web_1.php http://blog.pretheory.com/arch/2007/08/closing_the_deal_sell... Hope it helps, are you currently in negotiations? Verbal Agreement? Handshakes?
- os111 19y agothanks...not currently in negotiations but i may be in the near future.
- pg 19y agoFunny you noticed that. There is one, but it's unpublished. I give copies to individual YC startups when the time comes.
- pimpmothfc 19y agopg publish it :)
- zach 19y agoThat'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.
- breck 19y agoMe too. "When the time comes". Is there a ceremony?
- alaskamiller 19y agoEveryone gathers in the middle of the woods with black hoods and candles then chants Paul Graham a thousand times.
- zach 19y agoYou have to snatch a pebble from Dexter's hand.
- zizou 19y agoPaul 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 !"
- simplegeek 19y agoI assume that the most important message of that unpublished essay is "Remember, deals fall through"