---
title: How to list your startup
description: Learn how to create the perfect startup listing that sells your business quickly, easily, and for the highest price.
---

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1. [Selling](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en)
2. [Listing](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#listing)

# How to list your startup

## A guide to crafting the perfect listing on Acquire.com

**Last updated: May 22nd, 2026**

You'll find everything you need to create the perfect listing below. But for expert guidance on how to make your listing pop, ask a customer success manager to review and [score your listing](https://blog.acquire.com/is-your-listing-good-enough-to-sell-your-business/). Contact us at support@acquire.com to learn more.

Creating the perfect listing is the first step in getting your startup acquired. 

In our experience, a “perfect” listing (one that gets the most buyer interest) is complete, accurate, and verifiable. 

To start, head to our [seller sign-up page](https://acquire.com/sellers?__hstc=215188040.344afbe7309ce4fe9141cf1dea7da190.1672975008791.1689650291522.1689656420555.320&__hssc=215188040.5.1689656420555&__hsfp=626468317) and click **Join now.** Below, we’ll guide you through the process of building a listing so you can sell your startup quickly and easily.

### How to create a seller account and list your startup 

 1\. After verifying your email, click **I want to sell my startup**. 

![intro arrow](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/intro%20arrow.png?width=670&height=379&name=intro%20arrow.png)

2\. Click **Awesome, let’s go** to begin the guided listing process. 

![Seller intro](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20intro.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20intro.png)

3\. We'll start with **the basics **of your startup. Click **Next **to continue. 

**![Introducing basics-1](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20basics-1.png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20basics-1.png)**

4\. Select **your startup type** and click **Next. **

![Select Type-1](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Select%20Type-1.png?width=670&height=476&name=Select%20Type-1.png)

4\. Enter your startup's name and click **Next. **

**![Seller onboarding - startup name](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20startup%20name.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20startup%20name.png)**

5. Enter a **valid website** for your startup and click **Next. **

![Website](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website.png?width=670&height=476&name=Website.png)

6\. Wait while we validate your website and check for your [SSL certificate](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-ssl). If you pass both checks, you’ll go to the next screen. Try again or [contact our support team](mailto:support@acquire.com) if you don't pass. 

![Loading screen while validating](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Loading%20screen%20while%20validating.png?width=670&height=476&name=Loading%20screen%20while%20validating.png)

7\. Click **As an individual **or **As a company** to tell us how you're selling your startup. 

![Startup type (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Startup%20type%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Startup%20type%20(1).png)

8\. Click the box and enter the appropriate information for selling as an individual or company. 

![Startup type](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Startup%20type.png?width=670&height=476&name=Startup%20type.png)

![Startup type (2)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Startup%20type%20(2).png?width=670&height=476&name=Startup%20type%20(2).png)

9\. Now, tell us **the details** of your startup. Click **Next **to continue. 

![Introducing details](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20details.png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20details.png)

10\. Enter **when you founded your startup** and click **Next. **

![Date founded](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Date%20founded.png?width=670&height=476&name=Date%20founded.png)

11\. Select **your team size** and click **Next. **

**![Team size](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Team%20size.png?width=670&height=476&name=Team%20size.png)**

12\. Enter **where your startup is located**. If it's in the United States, also **select the state** and click **Next. **

![typing](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/typing.png?width=670&height=476&name=typing.png)

![hover menu option](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hover%20menu%20option.png?width=670&height=476&name=hover%20menu%20option.png)

13\. Select **your business model.** You can **choose from our suggested options** or type your model in the box and press **the enter key.**

![Business model options](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20model%20options.png?width=670&height=476&name=Business%20model%20options.png)

14\. Click **Additional details **to add more information about your business model and how it operates. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Business model options (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20model%20options%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Business%20model%20options%20(1).png)

15\. Select your **tech stack**. You can **choose from our suggested options** or type your tech in the box and press **the enter key.**

![Tech stack](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tech%20stack.png?width=670&height=476&name=Tech%20stack.png)

16\. Click **Additional details **to add more information about your tech stack and how it operates. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Tech stack (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tech%20stack%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Tech%20stack%20(1).png)

17\. Enter **your competitors** in the box and press **the enter key. **Remove competitors by pressing the **"x" icon **next to the name. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Competitors](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Competitors.png?width=670&height=476&name=Competitors.png)

18\. Select **your startup's growth opportunities.** Choose multiple options and provide more information in the **Additional details box** below. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Growth opportunities (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Growth%20opportunities%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Growth%20opportunities%20(1).png)

19\. Select **your reason for selling**. Choose multiple options and provide more information in the **Additional details box** below. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Reason for selling](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reason%20for%20selling.png?width=670&height=476&name=Reason%20for%20selling.png)

20\. Select **how you financed or funded your startup.** Choose multiple options and provide more information in the **Additional details box** below. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Financing](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Financing.png?width=670&height=476&name=Financing.png)

21\. Select **the assets you're selling.** You can **choose from our suggested options** or type your assets in the box and press **the enter key.** Click **Next **when finished. 

![Key assets](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Key%20assets.png?width=670&height=476&name=Key%20assets.png)

22\. Now, we'll cover **your startup's metrics.** Click **Next **to continue. 

![Introducing metrics](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20metrics.png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20metrics.png)

23\. Click **Connect** next to each section. Follow the instructions for connecting your [customer metrics](https://help.acquire.com/how-do-i-connect-my-customer-metrics-stripe-paypal-braintree-app-stores-etc-via-chartmogul?hsLang=en), and [web traffic](https://help.acquire.com/how-do-i-connect-web-traffic-via-google-analytics-1?hsLang=en).

You can also can also **Skip **connecting your metrics and enter the data manually (see more below). 

**We highly recommend connecting your metrics to build trust with buyers and make your listing stand out on the marketplace. **

![Connect metrics 2](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Connect%20metrics%202.png?width=670&height=476&name=Connect%20metrics%202.png)

24. Enter **your startup’s trailing twelve-month (TTM) gross revenue** and click **Next.**

![Seller onboarding - revenue](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20revenue.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20revenue.png)

25\. Enter **your startup’s TTM net profit** andclick **Next. **

![Seller onboarding - profit](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20profit.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20profit.png)

26\. Enter **how much gross revenue you earned last month** and click **Next. **

**![Rev (show if no data or not connected)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rev%20(show%20if%20no%20data%20or%20not%20connected).png?width=670&height=476&name=Rev%20(show%20if%20no%20data%20or%20not%20connected).png)**

27\. Enter **how much net profit you earned last month **and click **Next. **

**![Profit (show if no data or not connected)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Profit%20(show%20if%20no%20data%20or%20not%20connected).png?width=670&height=476&name=Profit%20(show%20if%20no%20data%20or%20not%20connected).png)**

28\. Enter **your annual growth rate **and click **Next. **

![Growth rate](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Growth%20rate.png?width=670&height=476&name=Growth%20rate.png)

29\. Enter **your expected annual recurring revenue (ARR) **and click **Next. **

**![ARR (skip for eCommerce\_)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ARR%20(skip%20for%20eCommerce_).png?width=670&height=476&name=ARR%20(skip%20for%20eCommerce_).png)**

30\. Select **the number of active customers** you have and click **Next. **

![Customers (skip for eCommerce\_)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Customers%20(skip%20for%20eCommerce_).png?width=670&height=476&name=Customers%20(skip%20for%20eCommerce_).png)

31\. You're halfway there! Time to fill out your **seller profile. **

**![Introducing Step 2](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20Step%202.png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20Step%202.png)**

32\. Enter **your first and last name** and click **Next**. The buyers won’t see your name unless you provide access. 

![Seller onboarding - name](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20name.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20name.png)

33\. Select **if you're an owner or broker** for the business and click **Next. **

![Startup type (3)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Startup%20type%20(3).png?width=670&height=476&name=Startup%20type%20(3).png)

34\. Add a **photo of yourself** and click **Next. **

![Photo](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo.png?width=670&height=476&name=Photo.png)

35\. Enter **a short paragraph about yourself and your entrepreneurial background **and click **Next. **

![Description of self](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Description%20of%20self.png?width=670&height=476&name=Description%20of%20self.png)

36\. Enter **your LinkedIn profile link** and click **Next. **

Connecting your LinkedIn profile helps buyers learn more about your background and experience (when you approve startup access). 

![Connect LinkedIn](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Connect%20LinkedIn.png?width=670&height=476&name=Connect%20LinkedIn.png)

37\. Now, we'll help you build a data room. Click **Next** to continue. 

![Introducing Data room (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20Data%20room%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20Data%20room%20(1).png)

38\. **Upload a profit and loss (P&L) statement** to provide more financial information to prospective buyers. We recommend including a P&L even when connecting metrics so buyers can see you track critical financial information.

Upload multiple years if possible, and click **the trash icon** on the right to delete any files. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Profit and loss statement (2)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Profit%20and%20loss%20statement%20(2).png?width=670&height=476&name=Profit%20and%20loss%20statement%20(2).png)

39. Add **documents and files** to your listing that buyers might find useful. These documents should convey the value of your company to persuade buyers it’s worth pursuing. Consider additional documents like: 

- Seller introduction videos 
- Confidential information memorandum (CIM)
- Transition steps 
- Pitch decks
- Product demos
- Asset valuation estimates
- Customer testimonials
- More charts, diagrams, and analyses related to your business

Upload several documents and click **the trash icon** on the right to delete any files. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Supporting docs (2)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Supporting%20docs%20(2).png?width=670&height=476&name=Supporting%20docs%20(2).png)

40\. For the last section, we'll gather info to help you market your business. Click **Next** to continue. 

![Introducing marketing](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Introducing%20marketing.png?width=670&height=476&name=Introducing%20marketing.png)

41\. Enter **a headline** for your startup that explains how it helps customers. We'll also generate a headline for you, which you can edit. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Headline](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headline.png?width=670&height=476&name=Headline.png)

42\. Enter **a description **for your startup that describes its offering. Keep it factual, but don't forget to sell the opportunity to buyers.  Emphasize your startup’s strengths and what makes it appealing to a potential buyer. 

We'll also generate a description for you, which you can edit. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Description](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Description.png?width=670&height=476&name=Description.png)

43\. Select **the search keywords that describe your startup.** You can **choose from our suggested options** or type your keywords in the box and press **the enter key.** Click **Next **when finished. 

![Keywords (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Keywords%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Keywords%20(1).png)

44\. Review your **recommended asking price.** If you approve of the recommendation, click **Submit,** and we’ll set that number as your asking price.

Your asking price is usually the start of negotiations. It doesn’t necessarily limit or predict your closing price. Learn more in our guide, [How to set your asking price.](https://help.acquire.com/how-to-set-your-asking-price?hsLang=en)

![Seller onboarding - Asking price v2-1](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20Asking%20price%20v2-1.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20Asking%20price%20v2-1.png)

If you want to adjust your asking price, **drag the slider** to your desired number. 

![price 2](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/price%202.png?width=670&height=380&name=price%202.png)

Or, **click the box next to your price to enter a new asking price**. Click **Save.  **

**![price 3](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/price%203.png?width=670&height=383&name=price%203.png)**

Once you settle on an asking price you're happy with, click **Next. **

**![price 4](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/price%204.png?width=670&height=376&name=price%204.png)**

45\. Enter **your asking price reasoning** to justify your number. Click **Next **when finished. 

![Asking price reasoning](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asking%20price%20reasoning.png?width=670&height=476&name=Asking%20price%20reasoning.png)

46\. Enter **your phone number** and click **Next. **

Buyers don’t see your phone number unless you grant them access. We collect it to verify you’re a real person and not a bot, building trust and legitimacy in the marketplace. Plus, we might contact you with important updates about your acquisition or to help you attract more buyers.

![Seller onboarding - phone number](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20onboarding%20-%20phone%20number.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20onboarding%20-%20phone%20number.png)

47. **Preview your listing** to see what buyers view on the marketplace. View the condensed listing card first.  

![Preview listing](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Preview%20listing.png?width=670&height=476&name=Preview%20listing.png)

Click **View preview **to see the expanded listing. 

![Seller listing preview](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Seller%20listing%20preview.png?width=670&height=476&name=Seller%20listing%20preview.png)

 

48\. Click **Submit your listing** to send your listing to our curation team for review.

![Submit takeover (1)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Submit%20takeover%20(1).png?width=670&height=476&name=Submit%20takeover%20(1).png)

49\. If you're selling a US-based entity, we'll ask you to [**verify your business **](https://help.acquire.com/how-do-i-verify-my-business?hsLang=en)to build trust with buyers and receive a **Verified badge. **

**![Submitted, not approved (2)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Submitted%2c%20not%20approved%20(2).png?width=670&height=476&name=Submitted%2c%20not%20approved%20(2).png)**

50\. Non-US-based sellers or individual sellers will be asked to **[verify their identity](https://help.acquire.com/how-do-i-verify?hsLang=en)** to build trust with buyers and receive a **Verified badge. **

![Submitted, not approved (3)](https://help.acquire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Submitted%2c%20not%20approved%20(3).png?width=670&height=476&name=Submitted%2c%20not%20approved%20(3).png)

Once you complete your listing, our curation team will review it. Rejected startups receive an explanation of why it was rejected while approved startups go live automatically. 

You can edit your listing once it goes live, but any changes will go through our curation team so we can maintain the integrity of the marketplace. On average, it takes one business day to review new or edited listings. 

### Still need help?

 Please [search the help center again](https://help.acquire.com/?hsLang=en) or contact us at support@acquire.com.

- [Buying](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Financing](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#financing)
    - [Finding a startup](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#finding-a-startup)
    - [Evaluating startups](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#evaluating-startups)
    - [Making an offer](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#making-an-offer)
    - [Due diligence](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#due-diligence)
    - [Escrow & closing](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#escrow-closing)
    - [After acquisition](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#after-acquisition)
    - [FAQs](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Formalizing your offer](https://help.acquire.com/buying?hsLang=en#formalizing-your-offer)
- [Selling](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Listing](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#listing)
    - [Insights](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#insights)
    - [Evaluating buyers](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#evaluating-buyers)
    - [Fielding offers](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#fielding-offers)
    - [Due diligence](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#due-diligence)
    - [Escrow & closing](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#escrow-closing)
    - [After acquisition](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#after-acquisition)
    - [FAQs](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Acquisition Tips](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#acquisition-tips)
    - [APA](https://help.acquire.com/selling?hsLang=en#apa)
- [Account](https://help.acquire.com/account?hsLang=en)
- [Resources](https://help.acquire.com/resources?hsLang=en)
- [Mini Courses](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Negotiations](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#negotiations)
    - [Preparation](https://help.acquire.com/mini-courses?hsLang=en#preparation)

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