TLDR Web Dev · OPINIONS & ADVICE

LESSONS FROM MY FIRST EXIT

mtlynch.io33 min read

Summary from the TLDR Web Dev newsletter

Michael Lynch, a former Google engineer, sold his bootstrapped hardware company, TinyPilot, for $598,000 after four years of running it. In this post, he details the process, highlighting what he did well (extensive documentation, using a trusted broker, and avoiding seller financing) and what he would do differently (cash buyer incentives and earlier legal counsel). The sale taught him valuable lessons about due diligence, the hidden costs of selling, and the importance of clear contracts.