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Apr 24, 2024 · 18m · startup-acquisition-stories

Startup Acquisitions Stories Podcast With Nour Shaaban, Founder of a SaaS Acquired for 7-Figures

Noor Shaaban · 10m spoken Andrew Gazdecki · 5m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

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In this episode of Startup Acquisition Stories, host Andrew Gazdecki interviews serial entrepreneur Noor Shaaban about successfully selling his SaaS business in a seven-figure acquisition. Noor discusses founder self-awareness, buyer relationship management, and the tactical advantages of navigating due diligence using Acquire.com's modern M&A advisory.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Andrew holds 34.5% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Andrew as informed peer 3.8 Guest teaching 1.5 Guest disagreement 0.0 Andrew pushing back 0.3
05100:0010:000:24–2:48 · Andrew as informed peer 3/10 Introducing Noor Shaaban and His Entrepreneurial Journey Andrew welcomes Noor and gently pushes past his initial intellectualized answer to ask for the raw emotional feeling of receiving a seven-figure wire transfer.2:48–5:34 · Andrew as informed peer 4/10 Deciding to Sell and Recognizing Founder Strengths Noor explains recognizing his strength as an early-stage builder rather than a scaler, which Andrew validates by categorizing the two distinct types of startup founders.5:35–9:32 · Andrew as informed peer 5/10 Navigating Due Diligence with Guided by Acquire Advisory Noor describes navigating the anxious due diligence process with Guided by Acquire, while Andrew contextualizes how prepared materials stand out to buyers reviewing dozens of deals daily.9:32–12:07 · Andrew as informed peer 5/10 Evaluating Multiple Offers and Selecting the Right Buyer Noor discusses picking a buyer based on personal alignment rather than purely price, and Andrew explains that an LOI is only step one of ten with low closing odds if trust is lacking.12:07–14:31 · Andrew as informed peer 3/10 Three Essential Tips for Achieving a Multi-Million Dollar Exit Noor takes the lead outlining three core principles for founders targeting a multi-million dollar exit: starting with the end goal, creating commensurate value, and building trust.14:32–16:02 · Andrew as informed peer 3/10 Comparing Acquire.com Advisory to Traditional M&A Brokers Noor contrasts Acquire's 4% fee and comprehensive advisory support against traditional M&A brokers charging 10-20% fees with smaller buyer reach.0:24–2:48 · Guest teaching 1/10 Introducing Noor Shaaban and His Entrepreneurial Journey Andrew welcomes Noor and gently pushes past his initial intellectualized answer to ask for the raw emotional feeling of receiving a seven-figure wire transfer.2:48–5:34 · Guest teaching 1/10 Deciding to Sell and Recognizing Founder Strengths Noor explains recognizing his strength as an early-stage builder rather than a scaler, which Andrew validates by categorizing the two distinct types of startup founders.5:35–9:32 · Guest teaching 2/10 Navigating Due Diligence with Guided by Acquire Advisory Noor describes navigating the anxious due diligence process with Guided by Acquire, while Andrew contextualizes how prepared materials stand out to buyers reviewing dozens of deals daily.9:32–12:07 · Guest teaching 1/10 Evaluating Multiple Offers and Selecting the Right Buyer Noor discusses picking a buyer based on personal alignment rather than purely price, and Andrew explains that an LOI is only step one of ten with low closing odds if trust is lacking.12:07–14:31 · Guest teaching 3/10 Three Essential Tips for Achieving a Multi-Million Dollar Exit Noor takes the lead outlining three core principles for founders targeting a multi-million dollar exit: starting with the end goal, creating commensurate value, and building trust.14:32–16:02 · Guest teaching 1/10 Comparing Acquire.com Advisory to Traditional M&A Brokers Noor contrasts Acquire's 4% fee and comprehensive advisory support against traditional M&A brokers charging 10-20% fees with smaller buyer reach.0:24–2:48 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Introducing Noor Shaaban and His Entrepreneurial Journey Andrew welcomes Noor and gently pushes past his initial intellectualized answer to ask for the raw emotional feeling of receiving a seven-figure wire transfer.2:48–5:34 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Deciding to Sell and Recognizing Founder Strengths Noor explains recognizing his strength as an early-stage builder rather than a scaler, which Andrew validates by categorizing the two distinct types of startup founders.5:35–9:32 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Navigating Due Diligence with Guided by Acquire Advisory Noor describes navigating the anxious due diligence process with Guided by Acquire, while Andrew contextualizes how prepared materials stand out to buyers reviewing dozens of deals daily.9:32–12:07 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Evaluating Multiple Offers and Selecting the Right Buyer Noor discusses picking a buyer based on personal alignment rather than purely price, and Andrew explains that an LOI is only step one of ten with low closing odds if trust is lacking.12:07–14:31 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Three Essential Tips for Achieving a Multi-Million Dollar Exit Noor takes the lead outlining three core principles for founders targeting a multi-million dollar exit: starting with the end goal, creating commensurate value, and building trust.14:32–16:02 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Comparing Acquire.com Advisory to Traditional M&A Brokers Noor contrasts Acquire's 4% fee and comprehensive advisory support against traditional M&A brokers charging 10-20% fees with smaller buyer reach.0:24–2:48 · Andrew pushing back 2/10 Introducing Noor Shaaban and His Entrepreneurial Journey Andrew welcomes Noor and gently pushes past his initial intellectualized answer to ask for the raw emotional feeling of receiving a seven-figure wire transfer.2:48–5:34 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Deciding to Sell and Recognizing Founder Strengths Noor explains recognizing his strength as an early-stage builder rather than a scaler, which Andrew validates by categorizing the two distinct types of startup founders.5:35–9:32 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Navigating Due Diligence with Guided by Acquire Advisory Noor describes navigating the anxious due diligence process with Guided by Acquire, while Andrew contextualizes how prepared materials stand out to buyers reviewing dozens of deals daily.9:32–12:07 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Evaluating Multiple Offers and Selecting the Right Buyer Noor discusses picking a buyer based on personal alignment rather than purely price, and Andrew explains that an LOI is only step one of ten with low closing odds if trust is lacking.12:07–14:31 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Three Essential Tips for Achieving a Multi-Million Dollar Exit Noor takes the lead outlining three core principles for founders targeting a multi-million dollar exit: starting with the end goal, creating commensurate value, and building trust.14:32–16:02 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Comparing Acquire.com Advisory to Traditional M&A Brokers Noor contrasts Acquire's 4% fee and comprehensive advisory support against traditional M&A brokers charging 10-20% fees with smaller buyer reach.

speaking balance: gold is Andrew, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Andrew 35.1% · guest 64.9%0:00 · Andrew 35.1% · guest 64.9%3:00 · Andrew 37.7% · guest 62.3%3:00 · Andrew 37.7% · guest 62.3%6:00 · Andrew 20.1% · guest 79.9%6:00 · Andrew 20.1% · guest 79.9%9:00 · Andrew 57.3% · guest 42.7%9:00 · Andrew 57.3% · guest 42.7%12:00 · Andrew 36.1% · guest 63.9%12:00 · Andrew 36.1% · guest 63.9%15:00 · Andrew 22.7% · guest 77.3%15:00 · Andrew 22.7% · guest 77.3%18:00 · Andrew 0% · guest 100%18:00 · Andrew 0% · guest 100%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 1:34 Noor reframing exit outcome around skill limits

In an entirely amicable episode, Noor gently reframes the exit question from personal financial gain to recognizing his limitations in scaling past early development.

 Hardest push from Andrew ▶ 2:15 Host presses for the raw emotional experience

Andrew gently intervenes when Noor gives an analytical answer about closing day, asking him directly to reveal his true visceral emotions.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 13:15 Noor's thesis on value exchange in acquisitions

Noor lays out a structured framework explaining why founders must focus on creating seven figures in buyer value before expecting a seven-figure valuation.

 Andrew holds their own ▶ 11:03 Andrew breaks down LOI conversion realities

Andrew demonstrates industry expertise by explaining that an LOI is only the first of ten steps and will fail without genuine buyer-seller rapport.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicAndrew as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementAndrew pushing backWhy
Introducing Noor Shaaban and His Entrepreneurial Journey 3102 Andrew welcomes Noor and gently pushes past his initial intellectualized answer to ask for the raw emotional feeling of receiving a seven-figure wire transfer.
Deciding to Sell and Recognizing Founder Strengths 4100 Noor explains recognizing his strength as an early-stage builder rather than a scaler, which Andrew validates by categorizing the two distinct types of startup founders.
Navigating Due Diligence with Guided by Acquire Advisory 5200 Noor describes navigating the anxious due diligence process with Guided by Acquire, while Andrew contextualizes how prepared materials stand out to buyers reviewing dozens of deals daily.
Evaluating Multiple Offers and Selecting the Right Buyer 5100 Noor discusses picking a buyer based on personal alignment rather than purely price, and Andrew explains that an LOI is only step one of ten with low closing odds if trust is lacking.
Three Essential Tips for Achieving a Multi-Million Dollar Exit 3300 Noor takes the lead outlining three core principles for founders targeting a multi-million dollar exit: starting with the end goal, creating commensurate value, and building trust.
Comparing Acquire.com Advisory to Traditional M&A Brokers 3100 Noor contrasts Acquire's 4% fee and comprehensive advisory support against traditional M&A brokers charging 10-20% fees with smaller buyer reach.

Statements from this episode (3)

Assertion Not checkable as stated
Gazdecki: Acquisition buyers typically review 20 to 40 businesses daily
“Buyers are typically looking at sometimes 2030, 40 businesses a day.”
Andrew Gazdecki Apr 24, 2024 ▶ 8:57
Disclosure
Shaaban received 60 to 70 signed NDAs during SaaS acquisition process
“I think we got close to, like, 60 or 70 NDAs, if I'm not mistaken. It was definitely in that range.”
Noor Shaaban Apr 24, 2024 ▶ 11:52
Disclosure
Traditional M&A brokers charge 10-20% fees compared to Acquire.com's 4%
“And so I realized that with Acquire, I was only paying four percent, and also you had a big reach, and you were helping me, coaching me, like, step by step and, you know, helping me make sense of all the different elements that are needed, all the different do…”
Noor Shaaban Apr 24, 2024 ▶ 15:22
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