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DigitalCrafts: From Bootstrap to $18.75M Exit

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TL;DR: DigitalCrafts differentiated by teaching JavaScript/PHP instead of Ruby/Rails with longer programs. Founded 2015 in Atlanta, expanded to Houston and online. Trained 1,200+ engineers, named Inc. 500 fastest-growing education company 2019. First-time founders struggled with culture until hiring head of people. Sold to Perdoceo for $16.3M cash + $2.5M earnout after 18-month process. Key lesson: build advisor/banker relationships early.

Key Insights

  • Differentiated curriculum (JS/PHP vs Ruby/Rails) and longer programs than competitors
  • First-time founders struggled with culture - hiring head of people was one of best decisions
  • 18-month acquisition process through COVID - patience and cultural fit over rushing
  • 2.7x revenue multiple ($18.75M) by building early relationships with advisors/bankers

Actionable Takeaways

  • Differentiate on curriculum and approach, not just location
  • Invest in culture early - hire head of people, do annual retreats
  • Build relationships with advisors and potential buyers long before you need them
  • Be patient in M&A - cultural fit matters more than speed

Principles Validated (2)

Read full article on theygotacquired.comAdded Feb 3, 2026