You built something useful. Its next chapter matters.
We look for established software businesses with loyal customers, understandable economics and room for thoughtful improvement.
§ 3.1
Our initial search profile.Two ranges and four categories.
- Monthly recurring revenue
- $5k – $20k1
- Operating history
- 3 – 8 years
- Categories
- Developer tools, creator software, productivity, lightweight business software
§ 3.2
A clear need. A product someone can own.Three conditions we check first.
- Condition 1
Durable customer value
Repeated use, real payments and customers who can explain why the product matters to them.
- Condition 2
Verifiable economics
A clear picture of revenue, refunds, retention, concentration and the cost of operating the business.
- Condition 3
A workable transition
Transferable ownership and licenses, maintainable technology, and a realistic plan to hand over the work.
§ 3.3
From fit to handover.Detailed review only if there is a fit.
Proposed terms and a transition plan follow the review of commercial, technical and operational records.
- IntroductionShare the product URL, what it does, its operating history and what you want from a transition. A short overview is enough.
- ReviewWe study customer retention, cash generation, dependencies and the work required to keep the product healthy.
- TransitionWe agree responsibilities, knowledge transfer and customer continuity before ownership changes.
§ 3.4
Good fit includes knowing when to pass.A good business can still be the wrong acquisition.
- It depends on an immediate rewrite
- It needs unsupported price increases
- It only works as a quick resale
- It does not fit our capacity or mandate
§ 3.5
Questions founders ask.Short answers to the first questions.
What do you need to start?
The product URL, what it does, how long it has been operating and what you want from a transition. A short overview is enough.
How fast do you reply?
We aim to reply to every founder email within five business days, including when the answer is that there is no fit.
Who will I talk to?
The founder of Playbook Media, who makes the acquisition decision. You will not be passed between teams.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the business and on how quickly records are available. After the introduction, and before any detailed review, we agree a timeline with you and keep to it or tell you early if it changes.
Is a first email confidential?
No. An email does not create a confidential relationship. Keep the first message high-level: the product, its customers and your goals. If there is a fit, we agree how to share detailed records before you send them.
What happens to customers?
We protect the product they depend on. We agree customer continuity before ownership changes, and we improve reliability, clarity and support before we add complexity.
Will you rewrite the product or raise prices?
We do not want an acquisition that depends on an immediate rewrite or unsupported price increases. Every change needs a concrete problem, an owner and a way to judge the result.
Is the search profile an offer or a valuation?
No. The ranges are search preferences for a first subscription acquisition. Proposed terms and a transition plan follow a review of commercial, technical and operational records.
Do you buy businesses to resell them?
No. We do not want a purchase that only works as a quick resale. We buy businesses that we can understand, support and improve over time.
Ready to start? Email a short overview. It opens your email app with a five-line outline.
- 1Search preferences for a first subscription acquisition. Not a valuation, offer or guarantee of fit. ↩
End of chapter III