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Complete List of SaaS Aggregators in 2024

Complete List of SaaS Aggregators in 2024

What if the future of SaaS isn’t about starting from scratch but about strategically banding together? This intriguing question invites us to explore the evolving landscape of SaaS, where the concept of aggregation is taking center stage. 

Aggregating software businesses under a singular banner isn’t a novel concept. Leaders like Constellation Software in the USA and Visma in the Nordics have already paved the way, with Constellation overseeing more than 1,000 businesses across 50 verticals through its six operating groups and Visma having acquired over 380 companies since inception, with roughly 50 acquisitions annually. These strategies have not only demonstrated long-term investor returns but also showcased the strength of vertical market software (VMS) aggregation.

However, the tide is shifting towards SaaS business aggregation. This trend diverges from traditional standalone operations, focusing instead on products or apps that fulfill specific functions, seamlessly transferable across markets. This model offers a new avenue for bootstrapped SaaS businesses, akin to the Amazon FBA brand aggregation game, providing exit opportunities for small to micro-SaaS companies that might not attract private equity investors or fit the venture capital mold due to their size, market reach, or industry fragmentation.

The goal for these SaaS aggregators extends beyond mere acquisition. It lies in the synergy of cross-selling products within the portfolio, optimizing marketing strategies (SEO, paid traffic, email marketing), and leveraging a vast vendor network to enhance distribution. Such an ecosystem not only allows for in-house tool development but also leverages data insights for better acquisition and development of SaaS tools. Moreover, these aggregators are not confined to one platform; they aim to expand across Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Amazon, enriching the content management ecosystem. 

While the narrative of Amazon brand aggregators serves as a word of caution, with many facing challenges under the weight of financial strains, the success stories of Constellation Software and other entities in the realm underscore the viability and potential of acquiring software businesses. Simply put, the opportunities for growth, value creation, and strategic exit for SaaS company founders are clear, indicating a promising yet complex landscape ahead.

This image contains a collage of logos from various companies, primarily in the tech and e-commerce sectors.

Hence, this article delves into the burgeoning trend of SaaS business aggregation. We will examine different aggregators, offering insights into their portfolio overviews and discussing key details such as equity investors, investment raised, and debt. This analysis intends to provide a thorough understanding of the financial and strategic underpinnings that characterize successful SaaS business aggregations, emphasizing the essential considerations for investors and entrepreneurs in this dynamic field.

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Cart.com
Overview
Based in Texas, Cart.com’s growth strategy involves bringing together top service providers to create a seamless e-commerce experience. In other words, it aims to redefine the e-commerce landscape by offering an integrated platform that covers everything from multi-channel management to fulfillment services. Hence, with acquisitions like 180Commerce and AmeriCommerce, the company is rapidly expanding its suite of services to provide a comprehensive solution that meets the diverse needs of online businesses.
Portfolio
180Commerce Specializes in Amazon brand management and sales technology.
AmeriCommerce Provides cloud-based e-commerce software and shopping cart solutions.
DataFeedWatch Offers online marketing and pay-per-click bid management services.
FB Flurry Delivers DTC and B2B fulfillment and customer care.
SellerActive Offers multi-channel e-commerce tools for sellers.
The DuMont Project A consultancy specializing in DTC marketing.
Total capital raised:
$443m
Equity Investors:
Supported by Legacy Knight, City Ventures, Visa, and other leading brands
Debt:
Financing from JP Morgan and TriplePoint Capital
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Shop Circle
Overview
Launched in 2021 by Luca Cartechini and Gian Maria Gramondi, all of Shop Circle’s acquisitions have been around the Shopify content management ecosystem. 

More specifically, the company’s acquisition criteria are split into the following categories: 

  • Business Performance (profitable and healthy financial metrics),
  • Software Capabilities (strong development team, super fast and ultra-responsive software)
  • Customer Satisfaction (high retention rates, low churn, positive feedback) 
  • Sustainable Growth (whether there is more room to grow in the existing market).

With a diverse portfolio encompassing Conjured Referrals and Sky Pilot, the company has garnered $73 million in funding to date, notably through a substantial Series A round. Moreover, Shop Circle commits to expediting deal closures within 40 days, commencing with a virtual meeting with the core team and submission of a letter of intent specifying purchase price, transition terms, and support arrangements, culminating in a binding sales and purchase agreement after a code review and tech due diligence. 

Portfolio
Bold Loyalty Points Creates personalized loyalty programs to boost customer engagement through rewards.
Bold Product Options Offers extensive customization for product options, including upsells and cross-sells.
Bold Sales Motivator Interactive, geo-targeted bar to motivate sales with promotions.
Bold Store Locator Map Displays an interactive map with real-time directions to stores.
SC Conjured Referrals Automates referral programs to enhance customer loyalty.
SC Customer Tagging Uses auto-tags for smarter customer segmentation.
SC Order Tags & Flows Streamlines fulfillment by automating order tags and flows.
SC Shipping Rates Calculator Calculates shipping rates and delivery estimates using geolocation.
SC Video Background Allows sellers to enhance storefronts with video backgrounds.
Sky Pilot Automatically delivers digital files and videos to customers post-purchase.
Total capital raised:
$185m
Equity Investors:
QED Investors, 645 Ventures, Firstminute Capital, Riverside Ventures, NFX and Avonmore Developments, First Check Venture, Founders Factory, Abhishek Kothari, Jordy Koski, Jeff Jacobs, Rohit Malhotra, Jaireh Tecarro, Karthikeyan Sathyamoorthy, Ali Jamal, and Systema
Debt:
Triple Point Capital (amount of debt has not been disclosed, but based on the total funding amounts announced by other aggregators, it is estimated to be in the region of 80% or more of the total)
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Relay Commerce
Overview
Relay Commerce provides e-commerce tools designed to enhance online business growth by building trust through social proof, increasing subscriber lists, and boosting conversion rates and average order values (AOV). In addition to this, their range of solutions is compatible with Shopify and other leading online channels, aiming to cover every step of the customer journey for e-commerce success. 
Portfolio
Fomo A real-time social proof application.
SalesPop Provides conversion-boosting pop-up templates.
SmartrMail Specializes in email marketing for e-commerce platforms.
Total capital raised:
$27m
Equity Investors:
Supported by Primary Venture Partners, AlleyCorp, and others
Debt:
Undisclosed sum from TriplePoint Capital
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AnyMind Group
Overview
AnyMind Group was founded in Singapore in 2016, and the company rapidly expanded into India, East and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. They moved their headquarters to Tokyo in 2019 to become eligible to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Other than this, the group maintains a wide assortment of companies and platforms dedicated to serving e-commerce sellers and content creators. As of 2022, AnyMind employs over 1,000 people in 13 markets across the world, operates 17 offices and powers over 1,000 brands.

Here’s a table summarizing the funding history:

Year Funding Amount Pre-Money Valuation Notes
2017 $14.5 million –  Venture funding
2018 $13.4 million $200 million Venture funding
2019 $8 million $192 million Venture funding
2022 (Series C) $26.4 million –  Led by Japan Post Capital
2022 (Series D) ¥5 billion –  IPO planned but not pursued due to market conditions; 1 billion of the raised sum in the form of debt capital
Portfolio
AnyChat Enhances customer interactions with a conversational commerce tool.
AnyCreator A platform assisting creators in finding brand collaborations and analyzing social media data.
AnyDigital Manages both online and offline marketing with a comprehensive digital platform.
AnyFactory Connects sellers with suppliers through a cloud-based manufacturing platform.
AnyLogi Streamlines logistics for D2C and e-commerce entities.
AnyManager A platform supporting media and e-commerce growth.
AnyShop Provides services for website building and store launching.
AnyTag A platform dedicated to influencer and social media marketing efforts.
AnyX Centralizes e-commerce and D2C channel management, optimization, and tracking.
Total capital raised:
$112.7m
Equity Investors:
SpaceShower Networks, LYFT Japan, Mirai Creation Fund, Japan Post Capital, Japan Post Investment, JIC Venture Growth Investments, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Proto Ventures, JAFCO Asia, Line, Sparx Group, Dram Incubator, VGI Global Media, Tokyo Century, Endeavor Global, and KSK Angel Fund
Debt:
¥1 billion from JIC Venture Growth Investments, Japan Growth Capital Investment Corporation, and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital
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Pantastic
Overview
Pantastic enhances e-commerce entrepreneurs’ capabilities by consolidating Shopify apps into a unified set of solutions. To this end, the company has acquired tools like CartHook and LimeSpot to improve online retailers’ offerings, from post-purchase promotions to personalized shopping experiences. Since its launch in 2020, Pantastic’s strategy of integrating smaller Shopify apps underlines its commitment to supporting the growth of e-commerce businesses.
Portfolio
CartHook Provides post-purchase one-click offers for e-commerce.
LimeSpot Offers personalized shopping and merchandising solutions.
Shoppe A network platform for indie brands to connect and sell.
Uporder (formerly Spently) Supplies email templates specifically designed for Shopify retailers.
Total capital raised:
$18m
Equity Investors:
Backed by B Capital Group
Debt:
Undisclosed sum from Commerce Ventures
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Assembly
Overview
Assembly specializes in developing and acquiring software solutions aimed at assisting e-commerce sellers in optimizing, operating, and scaling their operations. These tools also facilitate the adoption of new technologies and enable sellers to monitor various performance metrics effectively. 

In January 2019, Assembly secured investment from Providence Strategic Growth (PSG), which it leveraged to purchase Helium 10 – a premier business intelligence software for Amazon merchants. A subsequent investment round in July 2021, led by PSG and Advent International, placed the company’s valuation at $1 billion, although the investment amount was not disclosed.

Additionally, Assembly engaged in substantial debt financing to further its expansion, hiring, and acquisition strategy, amassing over $224 million during this period. This funding included $113 million as first-lien senior secured debt and $58 million as a first-lien senior secured unfunded commitment. Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit II BDC and Goldman Sachs BDC contributed nearly $53 million as an unfunded commitment. 

Additionally, in October 2021, Assembly raised an additional $270 million through borrowing from Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund BDC and Monroe Capital, aiming to finance new acquisitions.

Portfolio
Helium 10 E-commerce tool for Amazon sellers, focusing on analytics and optimization.
OrderMetrics Analytics software for tracking e-commerce profitability and expenses.
Refersion Manages and tracks affiliate marketing programs.
Prestozon Amazon PPC automation and analytics platform for advertisers.
Pacvue Suite for digital advertising, sales management, and insights.
PipeCandy Market intelligence platform specializing in e-commerce analytics.
Total capital raised:
$494m
Equity Investors:
Advent International and PSG
Debt:
Around $494M (mostly debt as equity portion not disclosed) Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund BDC, Monroe Capital, and Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit II BDC and Goldman Sachs BDC
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Skeepers
Overview
Skeepers offers a variety of modular SaaS tools designed to elevate brand engagement and relationships throughout the entire customer journey. With capabilities ranging from gathering client feedback to orchestrating influencer marketing efforts, its array of solutions boosts brand presence and fosters deeper engagement. Based in France, its holistic strategy in navigating different phases of the user experience also highlights its focus on strengthening brand-customer connections.
Portfolio
Customer Data Activation Solution A marketing platform specializing in customer data analysis.
Customer Videos Platform Automated consumer video collection and sharing service.
Feedback Management Platform Offers smart surveys for collecting customer feedback.
Influencer Marketing Platform Manages campaigns for influencers and reviews.
Live Shopping Platform Hosts live shopping events featuring influencers.
Verified Reviews Platform Collects and presents branded consumer reviews online.
Total capital raised:
€100m
Equity Investors:
Supported by PSG and Netangels
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Carbon6
Overview
Carbon6, established in the summer of 2021 and based in Toronto, serves as a prominent aggregator within the Amazon app ecosystem, aiming to streamline the selling process for merchants on the platform. In its early stages, in May 2021, the company secured $2.1 million in venture capital from Benevolent Capital, valuing it at $6 million before additional investments. By July 2022, Carbon6 had successfully raised an additional $13.8 million, with Pitchbook reporting its valuation at $80 million prior to this funding. 

In a significant move to accelerate growth, October 2022 saw the company receiving $66 million in Series A financing. This round featured a blend of equity investments from White Star Capital, Benevolent Capital, and Kale Investment Fund, supplemented with debt financing from MidCap Financial, marking a pivotal phase in its expansion.

Portfolio
PixelMe Enhances Amazon seller revenue, listing rankings, and traffic acquisition.
SellerTools Optimizes Amazon listings for increased conversions.
AMZAlert Offers 24/7 listing monitoring and immediate problem alerts.
ZonTools Facilitates Amazon PPC management to lower ACOS.
ScanUnlimited Simplifies product selection and supplier finding for sellers.
PayFleet Provides quick financing options for sellers to grow their business.
MerchNinja Supports keyword research for improved seller performance.
PrettyMerch Utilizes advanced sales analytics to help business owners get on top of profitable trends.
ZenArbitrage Enables the creation and operation of a profitable online arbitrage business.
ManageByStats Delivers an integrated software suite for sellers to optimize their business.
SoStocked.com Offers inventory management software designed for Amazon sellers.
WallySmarter Provides an all-in-one data management platform for Walmart.com sellers.
Total capital raised:
$82m
Equity Investors:
Benevolent Capital and Kale Investment Fund (Seed) and White Star Capital (Series A)
Debt:
MidCap Financial
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LTV SaaS Fund
Overview
Based in New York, the LTV SaaS Fund is a specialized private equity fund dedicated to investing in SaaS enterprises. Emerging from its origins within the brokerage and advisory firm FE International, it originally operated four global funds with $100m in assets under management, and holds 11 active investments. 

More specifically, LTV SaaS Fund has specialized focuses: Funds V and VI, launched in 2018 and 2019, target Shopify apps, while Fund VII, introduced in 2021, is geared towards B2B SaaS businesses. The latest, LTV SaaS Growth VIII Fund, initiated last year, zeroes in on B2B SaaS enterprises within the fintech and payment processing sectors.

Additionally, in a recent move, LTV SaaS Fund led a significant $35 million investment round for ThriveCart, a leading provider of e-commerce cart solutions designed to streamline sales funnels for entrepreneurs. This strategic investment aimed at propelling the platform’s development forward and scaling its team, reinforcing ThriveCart’s commitment to delivering advanced sales engagement and funnel creation tools to digital entrepreneurs worldwide.

Portfolio
Newor Media Provides ad management services to website owners.
Codeinero Creates apps for Shopify stores.
Quetext Checks text for plagiarism.
Txt2Give Facilitates donations through text messages for nonprofit organizations, churches, politicians, etc.
SentryKit Monitors Amazon listings and notifies sellers of problems and changes.
In Cart Upsell Allows sellers to upsell their products in the shopping cart.
Product Customizer Makes it easy for e-commerce customers to customize products and view visualizations in real-time.
Trackify Facilitates Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok pixel integration.
Website On Demand Provides apps for Shopify sellers.
Total capital raised:
$100m
Equity Investors:
FE International
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Staytuned
Overview
Founded in 2019 by Randy Jimenez and Serge Kassardjian, Staytuned is a New York City-based company that has secured funding from both angel investors and institutional venture capitalists. Upon procuring a business, Staytuned enhances the acquired software by introducing new features, launching new pricing models, and seamlessly integrating it into its own ecosystem. This strategy not only enriches their product lineup but also enables the cross-selling of new apps to their existing customer base.

Boasting nearly 30,000 users worldwide, Staytuned is on a trajectory to broaden its product range and boost its development efforts. This ambition is buoyed by a recent infusion of $34 million in funding from notable investors, including TenOneTen and Rembrandt VC, and is further supported by a substantial credit facility from Tacora Capital.

Portfolio
Kiwi Gives brand owners an easy way to determine the correct clothing sizes for customers.
AOVBoost Allows store owners to automatically create exclusive offers before checkout.
Dexter Facilitates easy A/B price testing.
Moonship Creates personalized discount offers for shoppers to increase conversion rates.
Evey Events Makes it effortless for brand owners to sell tickets to their events.
Box Builder Allows e-commerce sellers to create customized product bundles and gift boxes.
Total capital raised:
$50m
Equity Investors:
Bowery Capital, FJ Labs, Hawke Ventures, Brand Foundry Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Courtside Ventures, Grape Arbor VC, Social Leverage, and HIVE Ventures
Debt:
Raised $10m debt facility from WTI
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saas.group
Overview
saas.group, headquartered in Nevada, operates on a unique model of acquiring businesses and integrating them under a single umbrella to unlock revenue and cost synergies. It was founded by three German entrepreneurs that bring a wealth of experience from the tech and marketing industries.

Name Role Background
Tim Schumacher CEO Chairman and co-founder of Eyeo (AdBlock Plus)

Co-founder of Sedo.com

Tobias Schlottke CTO Co-founded OMR (Online Marketing Rockstars)

Co-founder and CTO of Metrigo and Adyard

Ulrich Essmann Chief People Officer Co-founded Sedo.com with Tim Schumacher 

Served as Chief Product Officer

The company is industry and vertical-agnostic, holding a diverse portfolio that includes scraping, developer tools, and SEO products. With an average acquisition size around $6 million, saas.group engages in deals as small as $1 million for businesses that demonstrate longevity, strong organic growth, and a loyal customer base. Furthermore, it has made minority investments in CarbonCloud, Waydev, ContractBook, Sastrix, and zenloop.

Portfolio
DeployBot Acquired in February 2018, it enables developers to build and ship code faster.
Juicer Acquired in June 2018, this aggregates hashtags and social media posts into a single social media feed on your website.
Sniply Procured in 2019, it facilitates sharing links with a call to action.
Prerender Acquired in March 2020, this enhances the visibility of JavaScript-heavy websites to search engines.
Scraper API This proxy service, acquired in August 2020, allows developers to embed scraping into any application. 
GitTower A Git client for Windows and macOS.
Rewardful Following its acquisition in November 2021, this allows the setup of affiliate and referral programs with Stripe & Paddle.
PipelineCRM Client relationship management (CRM) system that was procured in April 2022.
Keyword Tracks keyword rankings and provides competitor insights on SEO performance.
MyWorks Integration software between QuickBooks and WooCommerce.
Total capital raised:
Undisclosed
Equity Investors:
Family offices, HNWIs, and angel investors, predominantly in Germany
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Threecolts
Overview
Launched by Yoda Yee, a former API Partner Lead at Amazon, Threecolts is a London-based SaaS aggregator focused on building a cloud business suite for Amazon businesses. Operational across 32 countries with over 200 employees, the company focuses on fast learning and delivery, results, and ownership. Importantly, it also prioritizes high standards and customer satisfaction, catering to the needs of both burgeoning start-ups and Fortune 500 companies​.
Portfolio
SellerBench Automatically monitors missing FBA reimbursements and overcharged fees to help sellers get refunds.
OldStreetMedia Offers marketing and management services to help Amazon sellers grow sales.
TacticalArbitrage Facilitates online arbitrage and finding good wholesale deals for sellers.
HotShp Creates automatic blog and social media posts, titles, etc.
Bindwise Provides real-time listing and inventory alerts.
ChannelReply Integrates multi-channel customer service.
DimeTyd Automated, logic-based engine to recoup profit leakage from Amazon accounting errors.
EnterpriseAPI Offers a raw data source for third-party (3P) monitoring.
FeeProtector Monitors Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees.
FeedbackWhiz Automates emails and reviews for Amazon sellers.
FW Profit Analytics Offers product-level profit data.
PrinceletSQL Provides analytics and dashboard solutions.
RefundSniper Focuses on vendor central profit recovery.
SmartRepricer Offers automated pricing solutions.
SellerRunning Provides a cross-border arbitrage and dropship solution.
ScoutIQ Helps search for profitable books to sell on Amazon.
Total capital raised:
Approximately $20m
Equity Investors:
Acquco (an Amazon brand aggregator)
Debt:
Crossbeam Venture Partners
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WeCommerce
Overview
WeCommerce, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, operates as a home for e-commerce technology, housing leading applications, themes, and agencies. It supports over 100K merchants globally through its portfolio companies, which provide a variety of services, from user engagement and customer satisfaction enhancement through reviews and ratings to leveraging user-generated content and designing premium Shopify themes. 

Here’s a table summarizing the key events and acquisitions:

Date Event
2009 WeCommerce initially operated as a Shopify theme business called Pixel Union. It was founded in 2009 by Chris Sparling and Andrew Wilkinson (founder of Tiny Capital).
2017 Pixel Union acquired Yopify and Supple, two apps within the Shopify ecosystem. This was followed by the acquisition of Out of the Sandbox, a prominent Shopify theme designer.
June 2020 WeCommerce acquired Foursixty, a social commerce app.
December 2020 The company raised $60 million via a reverse takeover listing (RTO) on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange (TSXV).
April 2021 WeCommerce acquired Stamped, a provider of reviews, ratings, and loyalty and rewards for merchants.
July 2021 WeCommerce raised $33.7M in follow-on funding via an equity offering.
August 2021 The company purchased Archetype, another theme provider.
March 2022 WeCommerce acquired Kno Commerce, a post-purchase survey provider.

WeCommerce differentiates itself with a streamlined and transparent sale process for entrepreneurs, emphasizing flexibility and long-term holdings without altering company culture. Like Tiny Capital, the company looks for products with a simple value proposition, unique advantages, healthy margins, a high-quality team, transparent business models, and a solid foundation for the long term.

Portfolio
Stamped Helps business owners gather reviews, ratings, and utilize referrals.
Foursixty Facilitates the use of user-generated content by brands.
KnoCommerce Allows e-commerce brands to easily carry out surveys through a variety of channels.
Orbit A suite of applications used by business owners to improve conversion rates, increase order totals, etc.
Knit Agency Works with brands to deliver customized e-commerce experiences.
Total capital raised:
Over $100m
Equity Investors:
Tiny Capital, Public Markets, including Bill Ackman, Table Holdings LP, Freemark Partners Holding Co. Llc (institutional shareholders with >10% holdings), and public float on TSX-V
Debt:
Undisclosed
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AppHub
Overview
Founded in 2021 and based in New York and San Francisco, AppHub has swiftly carved a niche in the e-commerce sector. The company’s strategic acquisitions target software solutions that empower online sellers to optimize their operations, enhance customer engagement, and increase sales across popular platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

In April 2022, the company raised $60 million in a Series A funding round led by Silversmith Capital Partners, an equity firm based in Boston. They announced a significant strategic growth investment of $95 million on July 25, 2023. This investment round was led by PSG. Plus, Silversmith Capital Partners, a previous investor, also contributed to the funding. 

Alongside this financial boost, AppHub has further expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of Boost Commerce, marking a pivotal step in its mission to serve merchants across various e-commerce platforms.

Portfolio
Conversion Bear Helps e-commerce sellers increase conversion rates and sales revenue.
RoboTurk Provides an address validator tool and festive decorations to Shopify sellers.
ViralSweep Facilitates email marketing efforts by providing a host of useful features.
Nextsale Helps business owners improve conversions by using marketing tools and analytics.
Rich Returns Allows sellers to simplify the return process for their customers.
OrderBump Facilitates upsells during checkout and after purchase.
Appikon A suite of Shopify apps aimed at increasing customer engagement.
Reviews.io A tool for collecting text, video, and photo reviews from customers to increase conversion.
Boost Commerce Provides product discovery solutions for Shopify merchants.
Total capital raised:
$155m
Equity Investors:
Silversmith Capital Partners and PSG
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Unaric
Overview
Launched with a notable $35 million in seed funding, Unaric is positioned to lead the market of Salesforce product suites. Its mission centers around transforming the Salesforce ISV ecosystem by strategically acquiring, scaling, and integrating Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). 

Moreover, Unaric aims to tackle the scaling challenges encountered by founders within this space, creating a robust platform for rapid growth and wide-scale expansion. Supported by a strong network of distinguished partners and investors, including leading figures from the industry and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, it is on a quest to tap into the extensive potential of Salesforce applications for businesses worldwide.

Portfolio
Mirage Telephony A CTI Connector for Salesforce, enabling seamless telephony integration.
ELTON Provides inventory management and asset tracking within Salesforce.
Scan Anything A tool for barcode and QR code scanning directly within Salesforce.
Total capital raised:
$35m
Equity Investors:
LocalGlobe, Concentric, FJ Labs and Atempo Growth, OwnBackup CEO Sam Gutmann, and Hotjar co-founder Johan Malmberg
Debt:
$25m
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Ascential
Overview
Ascential is recognized for its dedication to assisting consumer brands in optimizing their digital commerce strategies and maximizing marketing effectiveness. To this end, its comprehensive suite of solutions, including Edge and Flywheel, empowers businesses to navigate the complex digital domain, ensuring they stay ahead of market trends and deliver impactful products. The company’s global presence, anchored in London, highlights its commitment to driving brand success across various online platforms​.
Portfolio
Edge Delivers data insights, retail forecasting, and advisory services.
Flywheel Offers managed services for search and display on digital commerce platforms.
IntelliBrand Increases online retail brand performance with analytics and content creation.
OneSpace Develops product content strategies for various e-commerce platforms.
Perpetua Provides advertising optimization and intelligence for e-commerce.
Spotlight Features proprietary bidding and SKU management technology.
WhyteSpyder Offers content creation and analytical services for Walmart sellers.
Yimian Specializes in artificial intelligence and data analytics solutions.
Total capital raised:
$115m raised at IPO
Equity Investors:
Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Alphawell Group
Overview

Founded by Alexej Pikovsky, a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of scaling over 50 venture-backed businesses, Alphawell Group brings a wealth of experience in growing businesses from start-ups to global enterprises. For instance, in early 2021, the company made a strategic move by acquiring 96NORTH, a promising brand that, under its guidance, experienced exponential growth, increasing its scale fivefold while maintaining profitability.

NUOPTIMA is the second business Alphawell Group owns. It’s an award winning SaaS marketing agency counting more than 60 category leading companies as their clients. This remarkable achievement underscores the Alphawell Group’s capability to nurture and grow businesses from the ground up, steering them toward success and financial robustness. 

In a similar vein, the group launched Alphagreen, successfully growing it into Europe’s largest alternative wellness marketplace, hosting over 200 brands and 2,000 products across nine countries.

Portfolio
96NORTH Leading organic aromatherapy brand in the US and the UK.
NUOPTIMA Award-winning team of growth experts with more than 20+ venture-backed and bootstrapped clients.
Alphagreen The largest alternative wellness marketplace in Europe, featuring 200+ brands with 2,000+ products in 9 countries.
Total capital raised:
$4m+
Equity Investors:
European and US family offices, angel investors
Debt:
Undisclosed
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Tiny Capital
Overview
Founded in 2006, Tiny Capital is a Canada-based aggregator firm that invests in and acquires bootstrapped businesses. Based on a philosophy inspired by Warren Buffett’s investment approach, it has grown since its establishment in 2007, evolving from starting companies to buying them in 2014 with a straightforward, founder-friendly process. 

As of now, Tiny Capital boasts ownership in over 40 companies, has made more than 90 minority investments, and employs over 900 people globally. The firm prides itself on a management style that respects company culture, avoids unnecessary synergies, and allows businesses to operate independently, aiming to be the buyer that founders are proud to work with. Tiny Capital’s enterprise value has surpassed $1 billion, underscoring its significant impact and success in the investment landscape.

Their investment criteria are as follows: 

  • High margins, 
  • MOAT via brand/community/or niche 
  • Simple business model 
  • Profits ranging from $500k to $50M 
  • Operating time of over three years 
  • A high-quality team  
  • A positive and ethical approach

Moreover, the firm promises to respond to acquisition proposals within 48 hours, make an offer within seven days and close the deal in 30 days.

Portfolio
Pixel Union Shopify theme provider, sold to WeCommerce, a listed Shopify apps aggregator.
KnoCommerce Customer survey platform for e-commerce brands, collecting insights to improve marketing strategies.
Dribble Offers a community and marketplace for creatives.
Notarize Provides remote online notarization, signature, and eClosing services, with revenues exceeding $500M in 2021.
Creative Market Offers a marketplace for design assets and ideas.
Stamped Provides a reviews and loyalty platform for e-commerce.
SuppleApps Develops customized apps for Shopify.
Yopify Offers e-commerce apps to enhance sales, conversions, and customer service.
Z1 Digital Studio Helps sellers launch new products with its digital product studio services.
Total capital raised:
Undisclosed
Equity Investors:
Undisclosed
Debt:
$108m from Silicon Valley Bank and BDC Capital
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Balio
Overview
Balio is a newly established, versatile software acquisition firm with a mission to acquire and sustainably grow its portfolio companies. Since its inception in 2022, the company has shown an ambitious growth trajectory, focusing on enhancing guest engagement in the hospitality industry and revolutionizing enterprise product communications with AI. Simply, this sector-agnostic firm is on the lookout for innovative solutions that can transform business operations and drive efficiency​.
Portfolio

Focuses on innovative SaaS businesses in guest engagement for hotels, product communications via AI, hotel revenue management, and government grant and loan reporting management in North America.

Total capital raised:
Undisclosed
Equity Investors:
Undisclosed
Debt:
Undisclosed
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SureSwift Capital
Overview
Specializing in acquiring established SaaS companies, SureSwift Capital’s primary objective is to offer founders a smooth exit while ensuring the continued growth and well-being of their teams and customers. Its distinctive business model includes providing investors with monthly profit shares, underscoring a commitment to consistent growth, profitability, and collaboration. 

Operating with a remote-first approach, the company also boasts a diverse global team comprising over 150 members across 20 countries. This team is dedicated to cultivating high-performing units that support and enhance the SaaS businesses within SureSwift Capital’s portfolio. The company primarily focuses on acquiring bootstrapped SaaS products that demonstrate profitability, growth, and a loyal customer base.

Portfolio
Vitay Facilitates automatic reference checking for HR professionals and recruiters.
Simple Purchase Orders Automates inventory restocking and purchase orders for e-commerce sellers.
GrowthHero Enables Shopify store owners to run affiliate programs.
MeetEdgar Automates social media management for small business owners and influencers.
Tradervue Online trade journaling tool for trading firms and traders.
Docparser Makes it easy to move data from images, Word, and PDF files to Google Sheets, Excel, and other formats.
Back in Stock Helps Shopify sellers to automatically notify customers about products being back in stock.
Storemapper Store locator tool that can be added to any website.
Wingman Helps traders improve performance by automating trade tracking.
Cross Sell Allows Shopify sellers to add a “you might also like…” feature to their stores.
FeedbackPanda Eases tracking of students’ progress and managing feedback for ESL teachers.
ChargeStripe Enables small store owners to accept credit and debit card payments using smartphones.
Jell Facilitates team collaboration and conducting standup meetings.
Mailparser Extracts necessary information from emails to save time on administrative work.
MySiteAuditor Creates automated SEO reports for businesses.
Paydirt Assists freelancers in tracking time and creating invoices.
Total capital raised:
Undisclosed
Equity Investors:
Undisclosed
Debt:
Undisclosed

Conclusion

Technology is constantly improving, with more data, new APIs, advancements in bandwidth, machine learning and increased penetration rates across businesses and customers. SaaS products will continue to grow and evolve, and while conglomerates and platforms continue to scale, so will independent micro-SaaS businesses, with often just one founder behind a whole business. Providing the infrastructure and support necessary to bring that micro-SaaS business to the next level is becoming an attractive value proposition, and we expect the number of exits in this space to increase.

Hence, entrepreneurs and business owners looking for a strategic partner to scale their ventures or considering exit opportunities are invited to connect with Alexej Pikovsky at [email protected]. With a proven track record of transforming small businesses into global powerhouses, Pikovsky offers unparalleled expertise for businesses poised for the next level of growth. So, seize the chance to discover how your business could flourish with expert guidance and the right scaling strategies.

FAQ

What is a SaaS platform or SaaS aggregator?
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An aggregator of SaaS and software companies can be thematic or industry agnostic. The group usually looks at $500k-2m ARR micro-SaaS companies which solve a problem in a certain niche and have a sticky business model. The group has a centralised marketing, tech and finance function, providing synergies across the portfolio of companies it acquires.

Are private equity funds focused on software companies also a form of software aggregation?
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Private equity funds such as Hg Capital, Vista Equity Partners or Marlin Equity Partners have a strong focus on Software companies, however, they operate each acquired company as a stand-alone business with no centralised support apart from the financial function. Each business private equity firms acquire has a large team of professionals across multiple functions such as HR, marketing, distribution, software development and finance. With micro-SaaS aggregators, the product is fairly simple and is a self-serve solution, thus rarely requiring a big customer success team. Plus, a lot of the sales & marketing is done via product-led growth and email marketing rather by than large teams of sales professionals. Without the big workforce, it is much easier to acquire these small companies/ solutions and put them under an umbrella of functional experts who sit in the aggregator.

How many micro-SaaS aggregators are there?
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At this point, there are not that many companies in this space, as it is not easy to find targets and many software companies try to get venture capital funding, making it not a suitable target to acquire these businesses.

What is the usual valuation of these businesses?
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Given the lack of exit opportunities and a ceiling in the size the business can achieve, the businesses are usually valued at 4x to 6x EBITDA multiples. Many of the aggregators raise debt financing to acquire these businesses, using the cash generated from the operations to pay down the debt. This approach is similar to private equity and the Amazon aggregator space.

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