The Founder Who Became the Acquirer
“David Hauser is the founder of Grasshopper, a company he sold for $175M. He went on to buy companies through Durable Capital. In this episode David shares tips on what buyers look for in a business acquisition,” shares Sam Thompson, a Minneapolis business broker and the president of M&A firm Transitions In Business. “He also talks about structuring a deal to minimize equity, navigate the emotional crash post-exit and dealing with legal counsel.”
Most founders measure success by the price they get for their company.
David Hauser did that—he built Grasshopper to $30M Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and sold it for $175M – almost 6 times revenue. He and his partner owned the majority of the shares so the deal was life-changing for Hauser. But what makes this interview different is what Hauser did next: he crossed the table to become an investor and now acquires businesses through Durable Capital.
It’s a study in contrasts. As a founder, Hauser chased growth. As an investor, he’s ruthlessly disciplined. He mocks the PE herd chasing home services roll-ups and avoids auction-driven deals. Drawing on his experience founding Grasshopper and Mark Cuban-backed Chargify, he outmaneuvers ETA buyers and first-time acquirers with quiet, direct, close-ready offers. This is a rare window into how someone who’s built and sold a business thinks about buying one—and what makes a deal attractive from the other side.
You discover how to:
- Spot the difference between rivers and reservoirs
- Avoid the #1 mistake sellers make with legal counsel
- Navigate the emotional crash post-exit
- Position yourself against ETA buyers in a crowded market
- Understand why private equity pays too much (and how to win when they do)
- Structure a deal to minimize equity and close fast
Listen now to hear how a successful founder thinks—and buys.