Featured Stories
Selling an Edtech Business: The PositivePsychology.com Exit
PositivePsychology.com, a mission-driven edtech platform used by 19M+ professionals, was acquired in an 8-figure deal advised by FE International. This case study covers their growth, decision to sell, and the exit process.
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Marina Vizdoaga Joins FE International as Partner to Lead Software, Data, and AI Deal Execution
FE International has appointed Marina Vizdoaga as Partner, bringing more than ten years of buyside and institutional valuation experience across software, data, and AI deal execution. Previously Vice President of Investments at LTV SaaS Growth Fund, Vizdoaga led acquisitions of founder-led software businesses. Her appointment strengthens FE International's senior team as buyer diligence deepens, with nearly half of all technology deals now carrying an AI component.
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How to Buy an Online Business in 2026: A First-Time Buyer's Complete Guide
A complete first-time buyer's guide to acquiring an online business in 2026, covering where to find deals (M&A advisory, the FE International marketplace, direct outreach), how to evaluate and value businesses using SDE, EBITDA, and revenue multiples, the six due diligence workstreams every buyer should run, financing options including SBA 7(a) loans, and a first-100-days post-acquisition playbook. Covers SaaS, ecommerce, agencies, AI, cybersecurity, edtech, fintech, and marketplace apps.
FE International vs. Acquire.com: Which M&A Platform Is Right for Your Tech Business?
FE International and Acquire.com operate on fundamentally different models: full-service M&A advisory versus self-serve marketplace. This comparison covers the differences across service model, track record (FE International's 94.1% success rate across 1,500+ transactions), vertical specialization across seven tech sectors, buyer network quality (80,000+ vetted investors), confidentiality, valuation methodology, and deal execution. Includes guidance on matching the right channel to your business size, from the FE International marketplace for sub-$1M tech businesses to full advisory for the $1M to $100M+ range.
How a Podcast Production Agency Sold to a Strategic Buyer in Six Weeks: Inside the Oscar Hamilton Acquisition
Oscar Hamilton, a 24-person podcast production agency with Fortune 500 clients and 45% year-over-year growth, was acquired by strategic buyer BCM Digital LLC in just six weeks. This case study covers how the deal moved so fast, what made the business attractive (team depth, client quality, clean financials), and why podcast production is catching strategic buyer attention as the global podcast services market grows toward $17.59 billion by 2030. Includes lessons for founders building toward a service-business exit.
How to Value a Digital Marketing Agency in 2026: EBITDA Benchmarks and Exit Multiples
Digital marketing agency valuations in 2026 range from 3x to 12x adjusted EBITDA, driven by record global ad spend crossing $1.27 trillion, the Omnicom-IPG mega-merger reshaping competitive dynamics, and AI integration creating a measurable 1x to 2x multiple premium. This guide covers all five valuation methods (EBITDA, SDE, revenue, DCF, asset-based), 2026 benchmarks by agency size and type, the eight value drivers that push multiples higher, real deal examples from the last twelve months, deal structure breakdowns, and a 12 to 24 month pre-exit playbook for agency founders.
EdTech M&A in 2026: Corporate Training, AI Tutors, and the Sectors Attracting Buyer Interest
EdTech M&A in 2026 is being shaped by mega-deals like the $2.5 billion Coursera-Udemy combination and KKR's $4.8 billion Instructure take-private. Buyer demand is concentrating in corporate training, AI tutoring platforms, and workflow-embedded enterprise learning SaaS. This guide covers valuation multiples by business model (median 7.8x EV/Revenue), the three buyer types competing for edtech assets, how AI readiness is reshaping diligence, and positioning strategies for founders preparing an exit.
Selling Your SaaS Business: PE Buyer vs. Strategic Acquirer vs. Individual Buyer
The buyer you sell to can be the single largest variable in your SaaS exit outcome. This guide compares the three primary buyer types, private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and individual buyers, across valuation multiples, deal structures, cash at close, founder roles post-sale, and employee retention. With PE dry powder at $1.3 trillion, strategic acquirers surging back for AI capabilities, and 2026 deal activity at near-record levels, understanding how each buyer type values your SaaS business helps you choose the path that aligns with your financial goals and personal priorities. Includes side-by-side comparison tables, real deal structure breakdowns, and a 12 to 18 month exit preparation playbook.
Net Revenue Retention (NRR) Explained: The SaaS Metric That Can Add Millions to Your Valuation
Net revenue retention (NRR) is the SaaS metric with the biggest impact on your exit price. A 10-point NRR improvement can add 20–30% to your valuation, turning an $8M ARR business from a $36M exit into a $60M one. This guide covers the 2026 NRR formula and benchmarks by segment (SMB, mid-market, enterprise), how NRR drives valuation multiples across SDE, EBITDA, and ARR methods, and five actionable strategies to improve your NRR in 6–12 months before going to market. Includes real deal scenarios showing how identical ARR businesses receive dramatically different offers based on retention alone.
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The State of Ecommerce M&A in 2026: DTC Brands, Amazon Aggregators, and What Buyers Want Now
Ecommerce M&A in 2026 favors prepared sellers. With global ecommerce sales approaching $6.88 trillion and U.S. deal volume up 49% in 2025, buyer demand for quality ecommerce businesses is strong across individual acquirers, aggregators, and private equity. This report covers current EBITDA multiples (2.5x–10x by business size), the shift from growth-at-all-costs to profitability-driven DTC valuations, the Amazon aggregator consolidation from 100+ players to 57, and the specific metrics buyers prioritize in 2026: unit economics, first-party customer data, supply chain resilience, and AI integrations. Includes actionable guidance on positioning your ecommerce business for a premium exit.
