Founder Interview Video
How FE International Closed Over $1 Billion in Transactions Across 1,200 Deals Including the $35M ThriveCart Exit (Interview with Founder and CEO Thomas Smale)
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction: FE International and Thomas Smale
- 0:33ThriveCart Overview: An 8-Figure Exit
- 1:30ThriveCart's Growth Story and Founder Background
- 3:40Why Founders Sell: Motivations and Timing
- 5:01M&A Market Context and Profitable Bootstrapped Businesses
- 7:13ThriveCart GMV and Stripe Partnership
- 9:12Buyer Feedback: What Buyers Liked and Disliked
- 12:19The Letter of Intent and Legal Process
- 14:05People Over Funds: Why Josh Chose Kevin
- 15:55Deal Terms: $35M, 70% Cash, and Win-Win Negotiations
- 17:29Post-Acquisition: Josh as Chief Product Officer
- 18:56Average Deal Terms and Market Resilience
- 20:06Q&A: Highest Offer Not Always Accepted
- 20:31Public Markets vs. Private M&A Transactions