Acquisition database
How startups got bought
Curated case studies of startups that exited via acquisition — broken down across the seven pillars of launch readiness. Learn the patterns that built businesses someone wanted to own.
Match the exit caliber
Every case here cleared the same pillars you're being tested on. Before you build, pressure-test your own idea through Launch Control and see where you stand.
Start Launch Control340 cases indexed
| Company | Industry | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 42Floors | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Abacus | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Accept.inc (formerly BoardRE) | Finance | Acquired |
| Aisle50 | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Aldus Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Allaire Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Allume Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Allure Systems | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Altsys | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Amber Road, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Application Networks | Finance | Acquired |
| Applicon | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Applied Predictive Technologies | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| AppSense | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| AppSheet | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Aquarium Learning | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ArcSight | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Arengu | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Aricent | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Armory | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Arroyo | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ARX | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Asanté Technologies | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Ascen | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Atego | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Audm | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| AuthenTec | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Avi Networks | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Awari | Education | Acquired |
| AWS Elemental | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Axwave | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Badgeville | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Balto | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Base CRM | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| BEA Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Beeper | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Berbix | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| BharatX | Finance | Acquired |
| BigMachines | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bitstream Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bluebeam Software, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bluecrew | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bluesmart | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| BlueTalon | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Body Labs | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bonfire | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Booker Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Brainware | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Breaker | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Breakthrough Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bright Computing | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Brio Technology | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| BroadSoft | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bueno Finance | Finance | Acquired |
| Bulletin | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Bump | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Bun | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Burrow | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Business Integration Group, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| bxblue | Finance | Acquired |
| CAIS Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Carbonite, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Catch | Finance | Acquired |
| CD-adapco | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Central Point Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Chargehound | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Chariot | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Chatter | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| CipherTrust | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ClearSlide | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Cleversafe Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Clew | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Clickability | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ClickSoftware | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ClipDrop | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Cloudkick | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Cloudstitch | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Clustrix | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Code Dx | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Codecademy | Education | Acquired |
| CodeStream | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Computervision | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Conversocial | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Convio | Education | Acquired |
| Coursedog | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Coverity | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Cron | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Cruise | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Crystal River Engineering | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Cymmetria | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| DacEasy | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Danger, Inc. | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Dashworks | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Data Mechanics | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Dataform | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| DeepScale | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| delt.ai | Finance | Acquired |
| Deneb Robotics | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Didiom | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Diffeo, Inc. | Finance | Acquired |
| Digital Insight | Finance | Acquired |
| Dimdim | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Dynamic Microprocessor Associates | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Dyte | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| EdgeBit | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Edwin | Education | Acquired |
| Eggplant Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Electronic Data Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Emuzed | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Enable Us | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Engagio | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Enplug | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Envivio | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Epicentric | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Epiphany, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| eqtble | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Etacts | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Evergage | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| EzDubs | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Factored Quality | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Fat Llama | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| FatWire | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Fern | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Fifth Generation Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| FileNet | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| FingerWorks | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Finmark | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Fivestars | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Flowdash | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Fortify Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| FTP Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| FunctionUp (FanPlay) | Education | Acquired |
| Funk Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Future Domain | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| GammaLink | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| garten | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Gateway, Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Gather | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Geeknet | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Gluster | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| GreenBytes | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Greenplum | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| GT Nexus | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Guidance Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Gupta Technologies | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Healtheon | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| HER | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| HeyDoctor | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| highlight.io | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Hillcrest Labs | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Hingeto | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| HOAi | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| HomeRoom | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Hoss | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Humble Bundle | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Hunter2 | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Hypercom | Finance | Acquired |
| HyperDX | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Hyperion Solutions | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Ilesfay Technology Group | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Impactive (formerly Outvote) | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| inBalance | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Inktomi | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Innov8 | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Integrated Systems Inc. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Intelligrated | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Interactive Intelligence | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Interactive Systems Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Internet Security Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Interviewed | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Invincea | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Invite Media | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Inxight | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| JackBe | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Jopwell | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| JouleX | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Journey | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| JumpWire | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Kalibrr | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Kamakura Corporation | Finance | Acquired |
| Kamcord | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Kemp Technologies | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| KeyDB | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Kinside | Finance | Acquired |
| KnowledgeWare | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Known Medicine | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Kraftful | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Kulabyte | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| L. | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Lagan Technologies | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Landed | Finance | Acquired |
| Layer0 | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Lee Data | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| LendEDU | Education | Acquired |
| Level | Finance | Acquired |
| Lexcycle | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Lieberman Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| LightSurf | Sector unknown | Acquired |
| Locus Computing Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Logi Analytics | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Logic Works | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Lombardi Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Look After My Bills | Finance | Acquired |
| LotusPay | Finance | Acquired |
| Lowkey | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Luminist Labs | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Lyrebird | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Magento | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Magisto | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Magma Design Automation | Professional Services | Acquired |
| MapInfo Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Marketo | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Masergy Communications | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Mayhem | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Meetingbird | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Memfault | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Mentor Graphics | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Mercury Interactive | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Metalogix Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Metaplane | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Micrografx | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| MindTouch | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| MobileIron | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Modern Fertility | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Mojiva | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Moltin | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| MuleSoft | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Mustang Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| MyPetrolPump | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| MySQL AB | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nallatech | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| NaviSoft | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nebia | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Neosync | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nervana Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nestybox | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| NetIQ | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| NetManage | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| NetSolve | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| NeuroDimension | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| NewTek | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| NextPage | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nodejitsu | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| North | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Nsite Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Objective Systems Integrators | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| OctetString | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Okena | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Omnisio | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| OmniVirt | Professional Services | Acquired |
| On2 Technologies | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| OneGraph | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Onfolk | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Open Market | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| OpenInvest | Finance | Acquired |
| OpenMeter | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| OpenRest | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| OPNET | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Opsware | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| OrCAD | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| P-Cube | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Pachama | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Pachyderm | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Packard Bell | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Pansophic Systems | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ParAccel | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Paracomp | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Paxata | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Payload | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Paystack | Finance | Acquired |
| Pedestal Software | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Peer5 | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| PeerDB | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Persoft | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Peter Norton Computing | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| PGP Corporation | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| PlateJoy | Food & Beverage | Acquired |
| Playment | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Plerk | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| PopSQL | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Posterous | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Preflight | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Pretty Instant | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Procoto | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Promoted.ai | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Proxy | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Pry Financials | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Pyroscope | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Reflect | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Remix | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Requestly | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Rider | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Roin Technologies | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| RunKit | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| SafeBase | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Sarus | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Savvy | Finance | Acquired |
| Scanwell Health | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Scribe | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Second Measure | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Shelf Engine | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| SigOpt | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| SimpleHash | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Smarking | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Solve | Personal Services | Acquired |
| Songkick | Personal Services | Acquired |
| SourceDNA | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Speechly | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Spire Health | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Stacksi | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Starcity | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Supr Daily | Food & Beverage | Acquired |
| Talyn Air | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| Tech in Asia | Non-Profit & Social | Acquired |
| Tenant Turner | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| Terark | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Tetra | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| The Athletic | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Thyme | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Truebill | Finance | Acquired |
| Twitch | Media & Entertainment | Acquired |
| Two Tap | Commerce & Retail | Acquired |
| Typedream | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Verak | Finance | Acquired |
| Verano Health | Healthcare & Wellness | Acquired |
| Vest | Finance | Acquired |
| Vidcode | Education | Acquired |
| Viddy | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Visly | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| WayUp | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Weebly | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Wildfire | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Willing | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Xfers | Finance | Acquired |
| YesGraph | Professional Services | Acquired |
| Yhat | Construction & Real Estate | Acquired |
| YourMechanic | Manufacturing & Industrial | Acquired |
| YouTeam | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| Zendesk | Technology & Software | Acquired |
| ZeroStorefront | Technology & Software | Acquired |