Selling your software company is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make.
The process takes time, careful planning, and thoughtful consideration. Beyond the financial aspects, business owners often weigh the impact a sale will have on employees, customers, shareholders, and the legacy they’ve spent years building.
Jonas Software has acquired more than 200 vertical market software companies around the world. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of founders, owners, and business leaders about their acquisition journeys.
In a previous article, we explored why business owners choose to sell to Jonas Software.
Since then, we’ve welcomed more than 60 additional companies into the Jonas family. As part of those conversations, we asked founders, former owners, and business leaders a different question:
“What advice would you give to a software business owner considering a sale?”
While every journey is unique, several common themes emerged. Here is their advice.
Denis Brosnan: Take Your Time
“Take your time, be very deliberate and considerate of the opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re not expected to be an expert—it should feel unfamiliar. We’re patient, transparent, and consistent in our communication. If our model isn’t the right fit, that’s okay. We’re looking for long-term alignment, like we had with Jack Gordon at Web Recon. It’s a process and a relationship of trust and it takes awhile – but it’s an investment we’re willing to make.”
Denis Brosnan, Portfolio CEO at CORA Group, shares his experience after being on both sides of an acquisition.
Neil Mukerji: Vet Your Buyer
“I think over and above everything – my advice is vet your buyer. I wanted to give both our people, and Kobas the platform, just the best chance of future success under new ownership. So the type of the buyer there was really important to me. I feel a pretty strong deep obligation to our team to do what’s right for them. I can’t wait to see where their careers go from here, under this kind of new ownership.
My advice is that you’ll buyer look for chats like this with someone who’s had their business bought and figure it out from there.”
Neil Mukerji, former Co-Owner of Kobas, shares his experience after selling Kobas to Jonas.
Heather Klassman: Find a Long-Term Home
“If you’re looking for a permanent home for your business, we’re a great fit. We’re focused on long-term growth, not quick turnarounds. We value the expertise and culture that founders have built and aim to preserve it while offering support. We have a strong track record of acquiring and growing many vertical market software businesses successfully – so sellers can feel confident throughout the process, from diligence through to integration.”
Heather Klassman, Portfolio CEO at CORA Group, shares her experience of working with owners and founders when it comes to selling your business.
Jack Gordon: Prepare Early
“One piece of advice I would give is clean up your EBITDA before you want to sell. I like traveling right, I did more travel than I could justify. I could have cleaned that up and then been paid for it on multiple.”
Jack Gordon, founder of WebRecon, shares his experience after selling WebRecon to Jonas.
Pete Rhodes: Think About Future Growth
“If you want to ensure that your company continues to grow and reach the next level, Jonas is the perfect place. We have a proven track record of nurturing acquired businesses, not just maintaining them but actively helping them evolve and improve. By joining Jonas, your company will benefit from the wealth of experience and resources we offer, while retaining the unique qualities that made it successful in the first place. If you’re seeking to preserve the legacy of your business and see it continue to prosper, Jonas provides the ideal environment to achieve that.”
Pete Rhodes, Business Unit Leader at Hellenic Systems, shares his experience of being a Business Unit Leader of multiple Jonas companies.
Rafael Mon: Trust the Process
“Trust the Process. Because the results will prove to be as promised during the acquisition. Personally, I was concerned about the feasibility of the proposal and I also wanted to continue working for many years in a satisfying work environment. I can say now, that choosing Jonas was the right decision.”
Rafael Mon, founder of K2B, shares his experience after selling K2B to Jonas.
The Jonas Software Ecosystem
Jonas Software operates over 200 independently managed software brands around the world. We provide them with the strategic guidance and financial security required to be leaders in their respective markets. From its roots formed in the construction and club management markets, Jonas Software’s reach has grown extensively within the fitness, membership, hospitality, and industrial verticals. Today, Jonas Software is proud to supply industry-leading enterprise management software and related services to more than 80,000 customers in over 40+ vertical markets.
Think Jonas Will be a Great Home for Your Software Business?
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