01 Aug Built to Sell: Why David Hauser Walked Away After a $175M Exit to Become a Disciplined Buyer
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
