Open-source KVM-over-IP device that lets you remotely control any computer from a browser, no software installation on the target machine.
Michael Lynch, ex-Google engineer, started TinyPilot as a side project in mid-2020 after struggling to manage his home servers remotely. He published build instructions and sold pre-assembled kits, growing to 7 employees and $1M+ annual revenue. In early 2024 he decided to sell. His first broker (FE International) rejected the listing; a second broker found an individual buyer named Scott. After 3 months of due diligence, TinyPilot sold for $598,000. Lynch netted $490,803 after broker fees and legal costs.
TinyPilot changed hands at a 2.4× profit multiple, right around the 2.5× median of the 102 deals in this database that disclosed both price and profit. A multiple in the median range is what the market pays for a steady business with no red flags and no standout premium either.
The $598,000 sale price puts it in the top quarter of the 570 deals with a disclosed price here, where the median is $20,000. Most indie acquisitions cluster well under the headline numbers founders read about, which is exactly why a real distribution is more useful than an average.
This database tracks 190 Developer Tools exits, and the ones that disclosed a price sold at a median of $23,000. Category matters more than founders expect: buyers apply different discount rates to a content business, a mobile app and a B2B tool even at identical revenue.
From founding to sale took 3.8 years. The deal closed through Business broker. Time to exit is a decent proxy for how built-to-sell a business was: shorter, cleaner processes usually mean documented operations and fewer surprises in due diligence.
See how this compares across the market on our market stats page, or browse more Developer Tools exits.
Broker choice matters, the first rejected the listing. Competing bidders create leverage. Due diligence weakens your position over time; close fast once offers arrive. Streamlining operations before listing (outsourcing manufacturing) raised profitability and attracted stronger bids.
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