Awesome Motive

Software holding company that creates tools and training to help small businesses grow & compete with the big guys. Over 30 million websites use their software.

• West Palm Beach, USA • Est. 2011
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Investment Requirements

Revenue (ARR)
$250K - $10M
Deal Structure
All cash Minority investment
Target Industries
B2B Software E-commerce & Payments
Geographic Focus
Global
Time To
Response
48 hours
Valuation
Close
30 days

Company Overview

About Awesome Motive

Awesome Motive is a software holding company that creates tools and training to help small businesses grow & compete with the big guys. Over 30 million websites use their software, making them one of the largest WordPress ecosystem companies.

What They Buy

  • Target: WordPress plugins, SaaS companies, web-focused businesses
  • Size: $250K - $10M ARR, profitable businesses
  • Structure: Full acquisition or minority investment + strategic partnership
  • Focus: Strategic alignment with existing portfolio, simple business model
  • History: 2+ years operational history required
  • Geography: Global (remote-first)

Process & Timeline

  • Response: Within 48 hours of application
  • Offer: Made within 7 days if good fit
  • Close: 3-4 weeks total process
  • Terms: All cash upfront, no complex structures
  • Flexibility: Founders can leave in 30 days (no golden handcuffs)

What Makes Them Different

  • Founder-backed: Only investors are portfolio company founders (not traditional PE/VC)
  • Warren Buffett-inspired: Simple deal structures, cash upfront
  • Fast process: 30-day total timeline vs. 3-6 months typical
  • No renegotiation: Straightforward terms that don’t change
  • Long-term hold: No exit plan, permanent ownership
  • Founder-friendly: Created by founders who experienced bad acquisition processes

Investment Criteria

  1. Strategic alignment: Must align with at least one existing business
  2. Simple business model: Explainable in 3 sentences or less
  3. Healthy financials: Bootstrapped, sustainable, profitable
  4. Operational history: 2+ years of successful operations
  5. Quality team: Good culture and team dynamics

Benefits for Founders

Full Acquisition Path:

  • Clean exit with confidence
  • All cash upfront payment
  • 30-day close process
  • No golden handcuffs

Minority Investment Path:

  • Strategic partnership for growth
  • Access to proven playbooks
  • Office hours with AM founders
  • Exposure on media properties
  • Private founders Slack community
  • Bi-annual mastermind meetings

Portfolio Scale

  • Reach: 30+ million websites use their software
  • Team: 330+ team members across 50+ countries
  • Acquisitions: 16+ completed deals
  • Focus: WordPress ecosystem leaders

Portfolio Companies

WPBeginner
WordPress tutorials and resources
OptinMonster
Lead generation software
WPForms
WordPress form builder
MonsterInsights
Google Analytics plugin
All in One SEO
WordPress SEO plugin
SeedProd
Landing page builder
WP Mail SMTP
Email delivery plugin
Smash Balloon
Social media feed plugins
PushEngage
Web push notifications
Easy Digital Downloads
Digital commerce platform

Founder Testimonials

"Exits are hard but they are made so much easier when you can exit knowing your team, products, and customers will be even better cared for than they were under your own lead. I'm excited about this new chapter, knowing that our products are in good hands under the continued leadership of the Sandhills Development team, with support of the team at Awesome Motive."
Pippin Williamson
Easy Digital Downloads (2021)
Source
"We're excited to have Thrive Themes join the Awesome Motive family, and I'm confident that the strength and leadership that Awesome Motive provides will ensure that Thrive Themes remains the leading provider of conversion-focused growth tools for many years to come and will fuel future innovation."
Shane Melaugh
Thrive Themes (2023)
Source
"With Awesome Motive's vast resources and deep understanding of the WordPress industry, I know they'll be able to make Duplicator even more powerful than it is today. We're excited to have Duplicator join the Awesome Motive family, and I'm confident that the strength and leadership that Awesome Motive provides will ensure Duplicator remains the leading WordPress backup & migration solution for many years to come."
Cory Lamle & Bob Riley
Duplicator (2023)
Source

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Last updated: October 6, 2025

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