Sell-side M&A for early-stage software, AI & IP.

My core range is pre-revenue through roughly $10M ARR. Fit depends on strategic buyer value: product depth, differentiated IP, customer proof, deployment readiness, ownership clarity, and the amount of time or risk an acquirer can avoid. Revenue-producing software companies are welcome when the strategic case fits the practice.

Early-stage and pre-revenue assets rarely fit a single formula. I assess what transfers, credible transaction comparisons where data exists, commercial proof, and what specific buyers could launch faster, earn, save, or avoid building. The result is strategic valuation logic and a defensible range rather than a formal valuation opinion.

Roadmap acceleration: a capability the buyer already wants and can acquire faster than it can build. Clean transferability: clear ownership, manageable dependencies, and differentiated technology. Risk-reducing proof: a working product, tests, integrations, customers, pilots, users, documentation, or transition support.

An unusually fast asset sale may close within 45 to 60 days after materials are ready. A more responsible expectation is 90 to 180 days, with some processes requiring longer. Buyer interest, internal approvals, technical and IP diligence, negotiation, and definitive documents drive timing.

Yes. Serious sale engagements generally use a defined period of exclusivity. It protects message control, buyer attribution, confidentiality, and negotiating leverage while I commit substantial work before an outcome exists. The agreement defines the term, covered buyers, success-fee attribution, tail, seller responsibilities, and documented carve-outs.

I rank buyers by roadmap fit, ability to deploy the asset, purchasing power, acquisition behavior, likely internal sponsor, and probability of moving. Outreach is private and one-to-one. Each approach explains the buyer-specific acquire-versus-build case and may include a tailored brief, Loom, mockup, product concept, or original artifact.

No advisor can guarantee an offer or closing. My role is to identify who has a current strategic reason to care, reach the right internal person, qualify interest, and manage a disciplined process toward the strongest credible outcome.

A pre-revenue M&A broker or sell-side M&A agent identifies strategic acquirers, prepares the acquisition case, conducts private buyer outreach, manages information flow, and represents the founder through diligence, offers, negotiation, and closing. This form of representation fits differentiated software and IP whose value comes from roadmap acceleration, proprietary capability, market access, data, talent, or avoided development time.

Most engagements use an upfront readiness fee, a success fee, or both. A focused readiness sprint generally starts at $5,000. Success fees for smaller early-stage transactions often range from 15% to 30% of total consideration and usually include a minimum fee. Fully contingent, distressed, cross-border, or unusually complex mandates may require different economics because I assume more no-sale risk.

My role covers qualifying private-company, software, product, and IP sale processes. It excludes capital raising, minority placements, custody of transaction funds, authority to bind either party, and legal, tax, accounting, securities, or formal valuation advice. Licensed professionals handle those workstreams.