Acquire existing, dormant productivity apps and bundle them under a single subscription, providing centralized development and marketing, similar to a Microsoft Office suite for productivity tools.
Opportunity7.1
Why now
Many existing productivity apps are dormant but profitable. Trend towards digital business M&A, burnout from traditional startup cycles, focus on cash flow and dividends, and creator-led distribution.
Market gap
Lack of curated, continuously updated, and bundled offerings for productivity tools. Many smaller apps are left unmaintained.
millions of dollars (for existing apps), 100K-10M range for roll-ups
Founder
Someone with a natural knack for product, experience with digital businesses, and ability to build community/pick niches. Ideal for productivity enthusiasts/nerds.
Scores
Problem
7.0
Feasibility
7.0
Why now
8.0
Go-to-market
7.0
Confidence
10.0
Proof signals
Clack app example: an outdated but loved app that generates revenue, representing an acquisition target.
Sahil Lavingia (Gumroad) advocating for dividend-issuing startups and cash flow.
General trend of M&A activity in digital businesses (100k-10M revenue range).
Keyword demand
Keyword
Volume
Growth
productivity apps
14,800/mo
+83% YoY
digital M&A
no data
no data
SaaS acquisition
70/mo
-29% YoY
US English Google Ads volume from DataForSEO; growth uses returned monthly search history.
Source episode
$1M Startup Trends For 2024, With Michael KarnjanaprakornEpisode source
so I I've always wanted to build a holding company for productivity apps and I understand that productivity apps the propensity to pay is very low I could give you all the reasons not to do it but I just like productivity apps