Investors Reshape Markets by Acquiring Venture Capital ‘Zombies’ for Long-Term Gains, Transforming Financial Strategies

In recent months, the business world has witnessed a subtle yet significant shift in the investment landscape. Companies like Bending Spoons and Curious are leading a new trend of acquiring and revitalizing stagnating tech brands, commonly referred to as “venture zombies.” This strategy, which involves buying underperforming businesses and turning them profitable, is gaining traction as a promising approach in a market increasingly dominated by AI-native startups. With notable acquisitions and financial strategies, these firms are reshaping the future of venture capital investments by focusing on long-term profitability rather than quick exits.

The Rise of “Hold Forever” Investment Strategies

Bending Spoons, a relatively low-profile Italian company, recently made headlines with its acquisition of AOL and a substantial $270 million capital raise that boosted its valuation to $11 billion. This swift move mirrors a larger trend in the tech industry, where companies are adopting a “hold forever” strategy. Unlike traditional private equity firms, Bending Spoons and similar companies do not plan to sell the businesses they acquire. Instead, they focus on enhancing profitability through stringent cost-cutting measures and strategic price increases.

Andrew Dumont, the founder and CEO of Curious, is a strong advocate for this approach. He believes that the venture power law, where a majority of startups fail, still leaves room for viable businesses that can be revived. According to Dumont, the key lies in acquiring these “venture zombies” at a low price and quickly transforming them into cash-generating assets. This strategy is not just about short-term gains; it’s about creating sustainable business models that thrive over time.

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Reviving Stagnant Tech Brands

Dumont’s firm, Curious, has been actively acquiring software companies that have stalled in their growth. These businesses, unable to secure further investment, often sit idle until a firm like Curious steps in. Since 2023, Curious has raised $16 million to pursue this acquisition strategy. The firm has already acquired five businesses, including UserVoice, a startup that had previously raised significant venture capital but struggled to align its capital table with long-term profitability.

The acquisition of UserVoice highlights the challenges and opportunities in the current tech landscape. As venture funds age, many companies find themselves in a state of stagnation, unable to grow or exit. Curious provides a lifeline by offering liquidity and implementing strategic changes to restore profitability. By centralizing functions such as sales and marketing across its portfolio, Curious can achieve significant cost efficiencies and drive profit margins upwards.

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Financial Implications and Market Dynamics

The financial dynamics of acquiring “venture zombies” differ significantly from traditional startup investments. While healthy SaaS companies might sell for four times their annual revenue, these stagnating businesses can be acquired for as low as one times their yearly revenue. This pricing disparity creates an attractive opportunity for firms like Curious to capitalize on undervalued assets.

Once acquired, these businesses can be quickly revitalized to achieve profit margins of 20% to 30%. This rapid turnaround is facilitated by the ability to streamline operations and cut unnecessary costs. For investors, this model offers a balanced approach to growth and profitability, free from the pressures of achieving VC-scale exits. Instead of focusing solely on growth metrics, these firms prioritize sustainable earnings that can finance further acquisitions.

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Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the promising outlook, the “hold forever” strategy is not without its challenges. Turning around stagnating businesses requires a deep understanding of each company’s unique dynamics and the ability to implement changes effectively. As Dumont notes, the process involves considerable effort and expertise, and not every investor is equipped to take on such a task.

Looking ahead, firms like Curious plan to expand their portfolios significantly. Dumont envisions acquiring 50 to 75 startups over the next five years, focusing on those generating $1 million to $5 million in recurring revenue. This segment of the market has historically been overlooked by private equity and secondary investors, leaving ample room for strategic acquisitions. While the success of Bending Spoons and Curious validates the potential of this model, it remains to be seen how many new players will enter the fray, given the challenges involved in executing such a strategy.

As the landscape of venture capital continues to evolve, the “hold forever” strategy presents a compelling alternative to traditional investment models. By focusing on long-term profitability and sustainable growth, companies like Bending Spoons and Curious are redefining what it means to succeed in the tech industry. This raises an intriguing question: Will more investors adopt this approach, or will the complexities of revitalizing “venture zombies” deter widespread adoption?