15-Year-Old Agency-Based B2B Language Services Business Listed at $9.1M
$9,100,000
This agency-based B2B language services business was founded in January 2011, making it approximately 15 years old. The company helps clients translate and localize content, software, websites, and multimedia for global markets, using an AI-powered localization platform alongside a network of 10,000+ vetted linguists. The listing is also Guided by Acquire, meaning it receives dedicated Acquire M&A support through preparation, buyer outreach, negotiations, and closing.
The numbers: The business is listed at $9.1M, with Acquire reporting $9M TTM revenue / $2M TTM profit, a roughly 22% margin, and 10% annual growth. That puts the ask at approximately 1.0x revenue and 4.6x profit. Acquire also reports 500–999 active clients, 85% client retention, a $10K average contract value, and 5% top-client concentration.
What stands out: The business serves healthcare, finance, education, software, legal, and other sectors across translation, localization, interpreting, data annotation, desktop publishing, website, and multimedia services. Acquire says it is UK-headquartered, bootstrapped, and debt-free, with a 21–100 person team supporting delivery.
What to watch: This is an agency-based, on-demand B2B business rather than a pure SaaS company, so buyers should understand how much revenue and margin depend on human-services delivery versus proprietary technology. The seller references $2M adjusted EBITDA, including normalization for R&D costs and founder salary, versus $1.6M unadjusted EBITDA. At the latter figure, the $9.1M ask is closer to 5.7x EBITDA.
Things to Consider:
- Seller motivation: Explore the seller’s stated reasons for selling, including starting a new venture, lifestyle changes, family needs, lack of time, and health reasons, to understand future involvement and transition risk.
- Business evolution: Review how the company grew from its 2011 founding into its current AI-powered localization model, including long-standing client relationships and where the seller sees the business heading.
- Team and operations: Clarify where the 21–100 person team is based, how delivery is managed day to day, and which roles are critical to maintaining service quality, client retention, and margins after closing.
