Bi-Weekly Roundup
Welcome back to the bi-weekly Substack roundup. Every other Tuesday, I’ll compile everything I’ve published over the last two weeks with some short insights, as well as any other interesting articles I’ve come across that I want to share with you.
The big news of the week
Squarespace is being taken private by UK-based private equity firm, Permira, in an all-cash deal that gives the company a valuation of $6.6 billion. This marks Permira's second-largest acquisition in the last few years, following its acquisition of Zendesk in 2022 for $10.2 billion. With an uptick in market consolidation through acquisitions and partnerships, and heavyweights like Salesforce rejoining the buyers club, the competitive landscape seems to be changing yet again. So, the question remains—do all signs point to an M&A mad grab?
Another part of this story I find interesting is Anthony Casalena’s retention as CEO after the acquisition. While the decision has been dubbed a “huge vote of confidence” in Casalena’s leadership, it also highlights the incredible value and impact a founder can have on their business, the SaaS industry, and, most importantly, market sentiment.
Something to keep an eye on
In a significant move within the Canadian tech scene, Forma.ai, a Toronto-based innovator in AI-powered sales software, has acquired SeaMonster, another Toronto startup known for its SaaS platform which enhances sales activity monitoring. This integration underscores the growing trend of AI applications in SaaS solutions, particularly in the Canadian technology market, which continues to make strides in adopting and developing AI-driven business tools.
I’ll be interested to see how AI will continue to be used in new and innovative ways to solve complex business challenges and drive efficiency in the tech space. (You can read SureSwift’s article below to learn how we are authentically integrating AI in SaaS.)
What’s been on my mind
In my article below, I wrote a breakdown of SureSwift Capital’s robust roll-up model and why we like it—not just for its benefits to investors but for founders as well.
I also kept founders in mind when I shared a word of caution on the insidious nature of biases, especially if you’ve invested considerable time and energy into an acquisition. As a founder myself, and someone who’s been in the game a long time, take my advice: it can happen to anyone, so don’t let it happen to you.
In Case You Missed It…
SureSwift Capital: A robust roll-up model that is fair, resilient and repeatable
Our model is simple: Assess. Acquire. Improve. Reap. Share. Repeat.
Whether we’re aware of it or not, biases affect almost every decision we make
Whether we’re aware of it or not, biases affect almost every decision we make—and even the most experienced founders can fall victim when it comes to the acquisition process.
Unleashing the Power of AI in SaaS: SureSwift Capital’s Customer-Focused Approach
Our SaaS solutions are not just efficient, but also resonate with the creativity that only humans can bring.