When buyers are interested in your startup, they'll submit formal offers through the platform. Here's how to manage them effectively.
Where to Find Your Offers
All incoming offers appear in your Offers Received dashboard. You'll also receive an email notification each time a new offer is submitted.
Reviewing an Offer
Each offer shows:
- The buyer's proposed price
- Any notes or conditions the buyer has included
- The due diligence period the buyer is asking for, and whether the offer depends on financing
- The buyer's profile, including whether they have verified their ID (the blue check)
Your Response Options
Accept
If you're happy with the offer, accept it. Both parties will receive confirmation and be guided through next steps: due diligence, purchase agreement, and closing.
Counter Offer
If you'd like to negotiate, submit a counter offer with your preferred price and any revised terms. The buyer is notified and can accept it, reject it or counter again.
Decline
If an offer isn't right for you, reject it. The buyer can submit a new offer, and the conversation stays open.
Handling Multiple Offers
If you receive multiple offers simultaneously, you're not obligated to respond to them in any particular order. Review each buyer's profile carefully — price is important, but a buyer's experience, seriousness, and ability to close matter equally.
What Happens After Acceptance?
Accepting an offer is a statement of intent, not a legally binding agreement. When you accept, your listing moves to Under Contract and stops taking new offers, and other buyers' pending offers are put on hold. Then:
- Both parties confirm next steps in the conversation
- The buyer conducts formal due diligence
- A purchase agreement is drafted (typically by legal counsel)
- The buyer pays through an independent escrow service and the business is handed over
What If the Deal Falls Through?
Either party can cancel an accepted deal with a stated reason. When a deal is cancelled, your listing goes back to active and the offers that were on hold become pending again, so you can pick up where you left off.
Does Acquirly Take a Cut of the Sale?
No. Acquirly currently charges no success fee. See Understanding Acquirly fees.