Picture by Creator | CanvaFor those who’ve spent months (or years!) constructing an app, extension, script or SaaS, and also you’re able to money out as an alternative of working an organization, excellent news: There are actually dozens of marketplaces the place you may record a accomplished undertaking and discover a purchaser. These vary from full startup acquisition websites to community-driven classifieds and even newsletters. Many platforms concentrate on “micro” acquisitions (offers within the $10K–$100K vary) and cater to solo devs or small groups who need a one-time exit with out fundraising or long-term dedication. Every market works a bit of in another way, so right here’s an inventory of 10 locations you will need to attempt. We’ll cowl how they work, key options, execs/cons, and who they’re finest for, so you already know what to anticipate. So, let’s get began:
1. Purchase.com (previously MicroAcquire)
Hyperlink: https://purchase.com/
Purchase.com (the rebranded MicroAcquire) is the largest identify proper now for purchasing and promoting on-line companies. It’s a SaaS/startup market the place founders can record their corporations and join with vetted patrons. The location is free for founders (you may create an inventory and set your data with out up-front value), whereas patrons pay a subscription to see vendor contact particulars. All listings are screened by Purchase’s staff earlier than going stay, and patrons solely see an nameless teaser (“NDA’d” profile) till the founder approves them. In observe, Purchase.com offers numerous hand-holding: you get an knowledgeable acquisition advisor, authorized templates, escrow integration (by way of Escrow.com), advertising outreach and even a valuation software to assist value what you are promoting. The closing charge (paid solely if you promote) is round 6–8% of the sale value, and there could also be a small month-to-month itemizing charge ($25–$100) relying in your deal dimension.
2. Microns.io
Hyperlink: https://www.microns.io/
Microns.io is a micro-SaaS market that focuses on smaller offers so it’s splendid for tiny apps or scripts price just a few hundred up to a couple hundred thousand {dollars}. Each itemizing on Microns is vetted by the staff, which verifies income and site visitors to assist keep away from scams. The platform provides an escrow service known as “Switch by Microns” for safe funds, and makes a e-newsletter of scorching listings to a premium subscriber base. It’s finest for solo devs or hobbyists with tiny apps, plugins, or facet initiatives that herald some revenue.
3. SideProjectors
Hyperlink: https://www.sideprojectors.com/
SideProjectors is a pleasant neighborhood market for promoting facet initiatives. It is sort of a free listings board constructed by builders for builders. You possibly can put up your undertaking (internet app, script, facet SaaS, and many others.) with an outline, screenshots, income knowledge, and hyperlinks, and patrons can contact you instantly. There are not any itemizing charges and no fee – SideProjectors merely connects you. In contrast to Purchase or Microns, there’s no vetting or escrow. Which means you don’t pay something to record, however you additionally do your personal due diligence and fee settlement. SideProjectors doesn’t even deal with funds – when somebody’s , you negotiate and shut the deal privately. It’s additionally good in case you’re simply testing the waters, because it’s 100% free to attempt nevertheless it has decrease site visitors in comparison with massive websites and it’s a must to do all work by yourself.
4. Flippa
Hyperlink: https://flippa.com/
Flippa is the unique and largest public market for purchasing and promoting web sites, apps, and on-line companies. It’s been round for over a decade and has an enormous viewers of patrons. You possibly can record just about something: cellular apps, browser extensions, SaaS companies, e-commerce shops, content material websites, Amazon FBA retailers and extra. Good for mid-sized offers ($10K–$250K). Flippa’s mannequin is extra like eBay or Shopify’s market – you record an asset, and both public sale it off or set a buy-it-now value. They supply analytics widgets (e.g. Google Analytics, income studies) that homeowners can allow to show site visitors/income to patrons. Additionally they supply an escrow service (Flippa Escrow) to securely deal with giant transactions. On the opposite facet, it fees a hit charge (round 15% of sale value) plus itemizing charges for premium options.
5. TransferLot
Hyperlink: https://transferslot.com/
TransferLot is a more moderen market for promoting facet initiatives and small on-line companies. It combines a free itemizing interval with e-newsletter promotion. At the moment, every new itemizing on TransferLot is free for the primary two weeks, and there’s no transaction charge for sellers. If you’d like prolonged publicity, you may pay a small charge (round $20) to proceed itemizing or get featured. The primary catch is that solely non-e-commerce, passive-income websites might be listed – they prohibit conventional retail or dropshipping. TransferLot additionally runs a weekly electronic mail to patrons highlighting the most recent listings, so it’s geared towards buyers on the lookout for fast turnkey initiatives. There isn’t any built-in escrow on TransferLot, so like SideProjectors you’ll have to rearrange fee individually and be cautious.
6. Empire Flippers
Hyperlink: https://empireflippers.com/
Empire Flippers is a brokerage and market for worthwhile on-line companies. It’s a hybrid between Flippa and a conventional M&A dealer. They vet each itemizing totally and solely take websites that meet sure standards (sometimes no less than $1,000/month in revenue or extra). Empire Flippers has an skilled staff that verifies your financials, site visitors, and different knowledge earlier than itemizing. While you promote, you get a devoted account supervisor to information you thru valuation and shutting. Additionally they have an built-in escrow and may deal with due diligence paperwork.
7. Alternative Overload
Hyperlink: https://www.opportunityoverload.com/
Alternative Overload just isn’t a full-fledged market web site, however a high-volume e-newsletter that highlights startup for-sale listings. Every week they publish a roundup of fascinating companies (apps, SaaS, websites, and many others.) on the market. As a vendor, you may pay a one-time charge (at the moment $10) to have your undertaking featured in a difficulty. The entry is a really brief blurb (just a few strains) in an electronic mail despatched to ~10,000+ subscribers who want to purchase or make investments. This service was began by a maker who efficiently bought a undertaking by it, and he claims one $10 itemizing can generate many inquiries. There’s no escrow or built-in platform primarily, you’re paying for visibility.
8. BuyMicroStartups
Hyperlink: https://www.buymicrostartups.com/
BuyMicroStartups is a more moderen platform that calls itself a market for high-potential micro-startups. It was began by a few indie makers who noticed a spot for smaller offers. The concept is to combination fascinating small companies that might develop with some funding. Listings are reviewed earlier than approval, and there’s a give attention to high quality. Notably, they promise zero commissions for each patrons and sellers – the whole sale value goes to the events. Additionally they supply a premium membership for patrons, which provides early alerts on new listings and direct connections to sellers. So if in case you have a promising undertaking, itemizing it on BuyMicroStartups will expose it to buyers seeking to take small “bets”. It’s nonetheless a rising platform, so site visitors is modest.
9. SellMyApp
Hyperlink: https://www.sellmyapp.com/
SellMyApp is a specialised market for cellular app supply code (principally clones of in style apps or templates) and, by extension, totally developed cellular apps. Based in 2013, it has turn out to be one of many largest platforms for purchasing and promoting Android and iOS app code. It began as a easy classifieds web site (you paid a small charge to record your app for 30 days), however has since developed right into a full market with hundreds of listings. Sellers can add their supply code, set a value, after which patrons (sometimes builders seeking to launch their very own app) should buy the code with a full license. This isn’t promoting your complete enterprise or product – it’s promoting copies of your app’s code. You solely earn every time somebody buys the code, somewhat than a lump-sum exit. It’s additionally helpful for quick-cash if in case you have a accomplished app you now not need to preserve – you may record it and probably earn hundreds by a number of gross sales.
10. FE Worldwide
Hyperlink: https://www.feinternational.com/
FE Worldwide is without doubt one of the oldest and most respectedM&A advisors for SaaS, e-commerce, and content material companies. They operate like a dealer: working instantly with mid-to-large corporations to arrange them on the market and discover patrons. Since 2010 they’ve bought over 1,200 companies. FE Worldwide offers principally within the six- to seven-figure vary (and even increased). For those who use FE, you’ll get an knowledgeable advisor assigned to your case who will assist with valuation, due diligence, advertising your itemizing to the fitting buyers, and navigating the closing course of. It’s just for massive video games – if what you are promoting is simply too small (below ~$100K/12 months revenue) or pre-revenue, FEI received’t work with you.
Wrapping Up
This brings us to the tip of this text. For those who’ve been sitting on a facet undertaking, script, or small app that’s bringing in even a bit of income, there’s possible a purchaser on the market for it. You don’t want VC funding or a co-founder. Only a working product, some sincere metrics, and the willingness to record.
Kanwal Mehreen Kanwal is a machine studying engineer and a technical author with a profound ardour for knowledge science and the intersection of AI with medication. She co-authored the e book “Maximizing Productiveness with ChatGPT”. As a Google Technology Scholar 2022 for APAC, she champions range and educational excellence. She’s additionally acknowledged as a Teradata Range in Tech Scholar, Mitacs Globalink Analysis Scholar, and Harvard WeCode Scholar. Kanwal is an ardent advocate for change, having based FEMCodes to empower girls in STEM fields.
Picture by Creator | CanvaFor those who’ve spent months (or years!) constructing an app, extension, script or SaaS, and also you’re able to money out as an alternative of working an organization, excellent news: There are actually dozens of marketplaces the place you may record a accomplished undertaking and discover a purchaser. These vary from full startup acquisition websites to community-driven classifieds and even newsletters. Many platforms concentrate on “micro” acquisitions (offers within the $10K–$100K vary) and cater to solo devs or small groups who need a one-time exit with out fundraising or long-term dedication. Every market works a bit of in another way, so right here’s an inventory of 10 locations you will need to attempt. We’ll cowl how they work, key options, execs/cons, and who they’re finest for, so you already know what to anticipate. So, let’s get began:
1. Purchase.com (previously MicroAcquire)
Hyperlink: https://purchase.com/
Purchase.com (the rebranded MicroAcquire) is the largest identify proper now for purchasing and promoting on-line companies. It’s a SaaS/startup market the place founders can record their corporations and join with vetted patrons. The location is free for founders (you may create an inventory and set your data with out up-front value), whereas patrons pay a subscription to see vendor contact particulars. All listings are screened by Purchase’s staff earlier than going stay, and patrons solely see an nameless teaser (“NDA’d” profile) till the founder approves them. In observe, Purchase.com offers numerous hand-holding: you get an knowledgeable acquisition advisor, authorized templates, escrow integration (by way of Escrow.com), advertising outreach and even a valuation software to assist value what you are promoting. The closing charge (paid solely if you promote) is round 6–8% of the sale value, and there could also be a small month-to-month itemizing charge ($25–$100) relying in your deal dimension.
2. Microns.io
Hyperlink: https://www.microns.io/
Microns.io is a micro-SaaS market that focuses on smaller offers so it’s splendid for tiny apps or scripts price just a few hundred up to a couple hundred thousand {dollars}. Each itemizing on Microns is vetted by the staff, which verifies income and site visitors to assist keep away from scams. The platform provides an escrow service known as “Switch by Microns” for safe funds, and makes a e-newsletter of scorching listings to a premium subscriber base. It’s finest for solo devs or hobbyists with tiny apps, plugins, or facet initiatives that herald some revenue.
3. SideProjectors
Hyperlink: https://www.sideprojectors.com/
SideProjectors is a pleasant neighborhood market for promoting facet initiatives. It is sort of a free listings board constructed by builders for builders. You possibly can put up your undertaking (internet app, script, facet SaaS, and many others.) with an outline, screenshots, income knowledge, and hyperlinks, and patrons can contact you instantly. There are not any itemizing charges and no fee – SideProjectors merely connects you. In contrast to Purchase or Microns, there’s no vetting or escrow. Which means you don’t pay something to record, however you additionally do your personal due diligence and fee settlement. SideProjectors doesn’t even deal with funds – when somebody’s , you negotiate and shut the deal privately. It’s additionally good in case you’re simply testing the waters, because it’s 100% free to attempt nevertheless it has decrease site visitors in comparison with massive websites and it’s a must to do all work by yourself.
4. Flippa
Hyperlink: https://flippa.com/
Flippa is the unique and largest public market for purchasing and promoting web sites, apps, and on-line companies. It’s been round for over a decade and has an enormous viewers of patrons. You possibly can record just about something: cellular apps, browser extensions, SaaS companies, e-commerce shops, content material websites, Amazon FBA retailers and extra. Good for mid-sized offers ($10K–$250K). Flippa’s mannequin is extra like eBay or Shopify’s market – you record an asset, and both public sale it off or set a buy-it-now value. They supply analytics widgets (e.g. Google Analytics, income studies) that homeowners can allow to show site visitors/income to patrons. Additionally they supply an escrow service (Flippa Escrow) to securely deal with giant transactions. On the opposite facet, it fees a hit charge (round 15% of sale value) plus itemizing charges for premium options.
5. TransferLot
Hyperlink: https://transferslot.com/
TransferLot is a more moderen market for promoting facet initiatives and small on-line companies. It combines a free itemizing interval with e-newsletter promotion. At the moment, every new itemizing on TransferLot is free for the primary two weeks, and there’s no transaction charge for sellers. If you’d like prolonged publicity, you may pay a small charge (round $20) to proceed itemizing or get featured. The primary catch is that solely non-e-commerce, passive-income websites might be listed – they prohibit conventional retail or dropshipping. TransferLot additionally runs a weekly electronic mail to patrons highlighting the most recent listings, so it’s geared towards buyers on the lookout for fast turnkey initiatives. There isn’t any built-in escrow on TransferLot, so like SideProjectors you’ll have to rearrange fee individually and be cautious.
6. Empire Flippers
Hyperlink: https://empireflippers.com/
Empire Flippers is a brokerage and market for worthwhile on-line companies. It’s a hybrid between Flippa and a conventional M&A dealer. They vet each itemizing totally and solely take websites that meet sure standards (sometimes no less than $1,000/month in revenue or extra). Empire Flippers has an skilled staff that verifies your financials, site visitors, and different knowledge earlier than itemizing. While you promote, you get a devoted account supervisor to information you thru valuation and shutting. Additionally they have an built-in escrow and may deal with due diligence paperwork.
7. Alternative Overload
Hyperlink: https://www.opportunityoverload.com/
Alternative Overload just isn’t a full-fledged market web site, however a high-volume e-newsletter that highlights startup for-sale listings. Every week they publish a roundup of fascinating companies (apps, SaaS, websites, and many others.) on the market. As a vendor, you may pay a one-time charge (at the moment $10) to have your undertaking featured in a difficulty. The entry is a really brief blurb (just a few strains) in an electronic mail despatched to ~10,000+ subscribers who want to purchase or make investments. This service was began by a maker who efficiently bought a undertaking by it, and he claims one $10 itemizing can generate many inquiries. There’s no escrow or built-in platform primarily, you’re paying for visibility.
8. BuyMicroStartups
Hyperlink: https://www.buymicrostartups.com/
BuyMicroStartups is a more moderen platform that calls itself a market for high-potential micro-startups. It was began by a few indie makers who noticed a spot for smaller offers. The concept is to combination fascinating small companies that might develop with some funding. Listings are reviewed earlier than approval, and there’s a give attention to high quality. Notably, they promise zero commissions for each patrons and sellers – the whole sale value goes to the events. Additionally they supply a premium membership for patrons, which provides early alerts on new listings and direct connections to sellers. So if in case you have a promising undertaking, itemizing it on BuyMicroStartups will expose it to buyers seeking to take small “bets”. It’s nonetheless a rising platform, so site visitors is modest.
9. SellMyApp
Hyperlink: https://www.sellmyapp.com/
SellMyApp is a specialised market for cellular app supply code (principally clones of in style apps or templates) and, by extension, totally developed cellular apps. Based in 2013, it has turn out to be one of many largest platforms for purchasing and promoting Android and iOS app code. It began as a easy classifieds web site (you paid a small charge to record your app for 30 days), however has since developed right into a full market with hundreds of listings. Sellers can add their supply code, set a value, after which patrons (sometimes builders seeking to launch their very own app) should buy the code with a full license. This isn’t promoting your complete enterprise or product – it’s promoting copies of your app’s code. You solely earn every time somebody buys the code, somewhat than a lump-sum exit. It’s additionally helpful for quick-cash if in case you have a accomplished app you now not need to preserve – you may record it and probably earn hundreds by a number of gross sales.
10. FE Worldwide
Hyperlink: https://www.feinternational.com/
FE Worldwide is without doubt one of the oldest and most respectedM&A advisors for SaaS, e-commerce, and content material companies. They operate like a dealer: working instantly with mid-to-large corporations to arrange them on the market and discover patrons. Since 2010 they’ve bought over 1,200 companies. FE Worldwide offers principally within the six- to seven-figure vary (and even increased). For those who use FE, you’ll get an knowledgeable advisor assigned to your case who will assist with valuation, due diligence, advertising your itemizing to the fitting buyers, and navigating the closing course of. It’s just for massive video games – if what you are promoting is simply too small (below ~$100K/12 months revenue) or pre-revenue, FEI received’t work with you.
Wrapping Up
This brings us to the tip of this text. For those who’ve been sitting on a facet undertaking, script, or small app that’s bringing in even a bit of income, there’s possible a purchaser on the market for it. You don’t want VC funding or a co-founder. Only a working product, some sincere metrics, and the willingness to record.
Kanwal Mehreen Kanwal is a machine studying engineer and a technical author with a profound ardour for knowledge science and the intersection of AI with medication. She co-authored the e book “Maximizing Productiveness with ChatGPT”. As a Google Technology Scholar 2022 for APAC, she champions range and educational excellence. She’s additionally acknowledged as a Teradata Range in Tech Scholar, Mitacs Globalink Analysis Scholar, and Harvard WeCode Scholar. Kanwal is an ardent advocate for change, having based FEMCodes to empower girls in STEM fields.
