How Founder Marc O'Dwyer Got the Exit He Wanted

The Journey of Big Red Cloud: A 24-Year Tale

Marc O’Dwyer acquired the startup Big Red Book in 2001. He quickly realized that boxed software was declining. In response, he created Big Red Cloud in 2012. By April 2025, the platform was serving over 8,000 SMEs. (thinkbusiness.ie)

When Ishikawa Technologies made their approach, the cultural alignment and focus on customers led to a rapid discussion about how to proceed.

A Satisfying Deal for the Founder

On signing day, April 4, 2025, Marc captured the moment perfectly: “Building Big Red Cloud has been an incredible journey… I know the combination with Ishikawa will only strengthen our ability to serve customers for years to come.”

If you're thinking about your exit strategy, don't hesitate to contact us for a confidential discussion at sourcing@ishikawatech.com

The deal fulfilled three essential criteria that Marc had noted before the sale process began. He secured the desired price, ensured an immediate hand-off to avoid having to work for someone else, and guaranteed that his team would remain intact under the new CEO, Stuart McCaul. (Business Post, Paywall).

With Ishikawa's backing, Big Red Cloud is set to advance in payment automation, enhance its cloud innovations, and accelerate its expansion into the UK market. This will build on Marc's strong foundation and customer-first approach.

How Marc Engineered a Clean Break

Know Your Number

During the Finance for Founders podcast recorded shortly after closing, Marc shared that he had one specific number in mind when negotiating. He stated, “Cash is king… I got the number that I wanted.” (podcasts.apple.com)

Delegate Early

Long before the sale, Marc partnered with CFO Paraic Nolan. He distributed decision-making among a seasoned leadership team. This allowed Ishikawa to see that the business could thrive without him.

Invest in Culture

Just before the deal was finalized, Paraic received an award from Guaranteed Irish for Best Business Support. This recognition highlighted Big Red Cloud's commitment to providing friendly, helpful bookkeeping advice to its customers.

Plan for Day-One Freedom

Once everything was in order, Marc was able to step away immediately after the signing. He focused on personal pursuits, particularly his love for sports.

Life After Exit: Embracing New Challenges

Marc's farewell message on LinkedIn hinted at retirement. However, his calendar resembles more of a race schedule than a quiet life. He is actively back in the pool and on his bike, training for long-distance triathlons. This comes after his participation in the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2022—an event that marked one of his eight Ironman finishes and a memorable day on the Big Island. (tritalkingsport.com)

Last October, he completed his 15th Dublin Marathon, coming within two minutes of his personal best from 25 years ago. (linkedin.com).

Most weekends, you can find Marc playing for the Leinster veterans charity rugby team. On weekdays, he spends time mentoring first-time triathletes and hosting discussions on how endurance sports relate to the well-being of founders. (bigredcloud.com).

Why Ishikawa Celebrates This Successful Transition

For Ishikawa Technologies, this acquisition is significant. Marc has handed over a loyal customer base and a dedicated team. Additionally, Ishikawa provides the resources necessary to scale the platform internationally. This results in a win-win scenario: a satisfied founder and a buyer who benefits from established momentum. Furthermore, Marc serves as an enthusiastic brand ambassador, encouraging others to “Talk to Ishikawa if you want your legacy protected.” (x.com)

At Ishikawa Technologies, we believe founders deserve this type of transition: a fair price, a motivated team, and the peace of mind that their work will continue to benefit customers. Marc O’Dwyer’s journey serves as our blueprint, and we are honored to carry the torch into this new chapter. If you're interested in discussing an exit, don't hesitate to reach out at sourcing@ishikawatech.com.