Handybook Buys Exec in a Deal for the On-Demand World

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/exec-an-errand-service-exits-with-an-acquisition/?_r=1&

by anrope • 13 years ago

83 21 13 years ago

bits.blogs.nytimes.com

hkmurakami2• 13 years ago

Since the acquisition was a 100% stock transaction (and the acquirer is still a private company), this is more of a "let's join forces" type deal than an exit arrangement.

minimaxir• 13 years ago

Is that better or worse than an acquihire?

hkmurakami2• 13 years ago

I think that depends on (1) whose perspective we're looking at this from, and (2) what the future holds for the combined company.

In terms of liquidity and it being "a sure thing", an acquihire would surely be better for Exec. But Justin Kan already has a few successful endeavors under his belt and probably isn't hurting for a quick check. Increasing his odds for a homerun probably makes more sense. The same probably goes for the investors.

For the employees on the other hand, an acquihire and subsequent retention package would most likely have a better EV/Risk ratio.

thatthatis2• 13 years ago

But not quite a merger of equals. 12mn in handybook funding, 3mn in exec funding, 10mn rumored merger price.

That suggests to me that exec shareholders now own less than 1/3 of handybook but probably more than 10%. Assuming the 12mn in funding has bought exactly 1/2 of the company, then handybook's most recent post money would be ~ 24mn. 10mn in new stock --> 10/34 as the share owned by exec. Probably more than 10% bc that's the amount they'd own if handybook was valuing themselves at 100mn. I doubt that they are that high yet.

This looks to me less like a merger and more like a realization by exec that their value is at a global maximum -- once handybook cracks sf on their own the value of buying exec drops substantially.

In my opinion a shrewd move by all parties.

ivanplenty• 13 years ago

Completely agree with @thatthatis, but one separate thought.

"talks began in October"
"they [HandyBook] had a much better and well-defined marking model and they had already developed what we were trying to iterate, but better."

Is this related to the departure of the people behind the https://giveit100.com/ around then? The non-technical founder was responsible for marketing at Exec, for example. I could imagine were I in her shoes and heard this back then I also would be looking for new work.

karenxcheng• 13 years ago

Hi Ivan, I (along with Finbarr) are the co-founders of http://giveit100.com. I left Exec back in August and had no idea of the Handybook merger/acquisition until now. I learned a lot at Exec and am really grateful to have the chance to work there.

Dobbs• 13 years ago

Congrats to the Kan brothers!

justin2• 13 years ago

Thank you!

timje1• 13 years ago

The headline bookend in a Deal for the On-Demand World sounds like the writer ran out of intelligent things to say.

smackfu• 13 years ago

Confusing headline if you don't know "Exec" is the name of a business. And how can anyone keep track of all the names of businesses around here.

wsr2• 13 years ago

Justin, congratulation on the company sale!

If you have a minute, I'd love for you to read this:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/bowei-gai/one-year-ago/101525...

I know you can create more amazing companies in the valley, everyone knows that. But what I'd love to suggest is for you to take these next few months to check out what else is out there in the world.

The market opportunity won't be as big, but your experience and unbelievable drive for success (that's what I remember the most about you) can potentially make a much bigger impact in the world outside of Silicon Valley.

Here is my open invitation for you to visit Philippines, or anywhere else in 29 countries I've traveled to this past year. I promise we can mobilize the World Startup Report ambassadors network in every continent to make your trip a successful one. These folks will gladly host and take care of you, anytime, anywhere.

Please give this some thoughts... the world could use another superhero.

Bowei@worldstartupreport.com

justin2• 13 years ago

Thanks! I am interested in the startups in the rest of the world, especially in SE Asia. I just got back from a trip to Thailand and Singapore, where I talked to several startup investors, accelerators, and founders to try to figure out where market opportunities might be. I didn't get to the Phillipines on this trip, but hopefully will in the near future (planning Indonesia at the very least this year).

wsr2• 13 years ago

Glad to hear that Justin!

SE Asia is a very interesting market, people are solving a completely different set of problems that what we're used to in the first world countries.

We have a very strong network here in SE Asia. Don't hesitate to reach out to me on your next trip back. I'd be happy to show you what I've learned.

Congrats again!

rdl• 13 years ago

Myanmar is going to be amazing if the elections in 2015 go well. I visited in November 2013 and would love to figure something out there.

ajju• 13 years ago

Congratulations Justin and Daniel.

danielkan• 13 years ago

Thanks!

argumentum• 13 years ago

Congrats! From the end of the article:

I’d like to try doing nothing for a while -justin kan

LMAO imagining that in justin's voice.

rouma7• 13 years ago

On Freund is doing a great job heading up the engineering team at Handybook as well. Really excited for those guys and their contribution to New York tech

pbharrin• 13 years ago

Congrats! Awesome job.

namenotrequired• 13 years ago

> Mr. Kan [...] said he planned to take a few months off after the sale.

Is it normal / common for founders to sell their company but not join the new parent company themselves?

Handybook Buys Exec in a Deal for the On-Demand World

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