The AI wave is here. Should you cash in or double down?

An AI chatbot for SaaS founders considering an exit

If you’re leading a successful software‑as‑a‑service (SaaS) company today, you can feel the ground shifting. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), falling cloud costs and low‑code tools mean the next competitive wave is already forming and founders are asking whether they really have the energy (and capital) to ride it again.

Why the game has changed

Even a non‑coder can now spin up a customised GPT in an afternoon, AI copilots slash development effort and customers expect continuous AI‑driven features. Competing means new skills, new hires and fresh investment all while keeping day‑to‑day operations humming. To get a better feel for it, I set up my own AI chatbot or GPT for Ishikawa in just a few minutes using OpenAI last night while Black Mirror streamed on the tv in the background.

Try it here!

The exit dilemma

There is another path. Ishikawa Technologies acquires owner‑led B2B software firms, preserving brands and teams while giving founders liquidity and peace of mind.

• €5–20 million annual recurring revenue (ARR) target range

• €10–50 million enterprise value (EV) typical deal size

• Close in ≈ 90 days with staff and customers retained

A smarter first step: the Ishikawa GPT

I built the Ishikawa GPT for fun but it seems useful, so I decided to share it here and now you can explore tough exit questions in private. Typical queries I suggest:

• “What valuation multiple could my company command?”

• “Will my staff keep their jobs?”

• “How quickly could we close?”

When inputs are incomplete, the GPT should flag the gap and suggest next steps, mirroring the way our deal team works.

How building a GPT proves the point

The fact that a bespoke AI advisor can be assembled in a few minutes underscores how fast our industry moves. If your own platform needs an AI retrofit, consider whether that’s a battle you want to fight or whether it’s time to secure the legacy you’ve already built.

Take the next step

Curious about liquidity, legacy or life after exit? Talk to Ishikawa by emailing sourcing@ishikawatech.com or try our GPT advisor and get a feel in 30 seconds.

The GPT is for fun and does not give reliable valuation, legal or tax advice.