Scaling a software company to global acquisition requires more than initial capital. Founders must navigate economic volatility and build robust operational processes.

Susan Spence joins Tommy Boyle on the Business Answers podcast to discuss the journey of building SoftCo from Dublin into a global procure-to-pay software provider. They examine self-funding strategies, co-founder dynamics, and the realities of exiting a business.

Susan Spence is the co-founder of SoftCo and Manverton, and she chairs the Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan. Recognised as the Irish Tatler Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, Susan brings decades of expertise in scaling enterprise technology and planning successful corporate exits.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Building a sticky financial process automation product from Dublin
Funding early business operations through traditional banking relationships
Surviving the dot com era and prioritising recurring revenue models
Managing a sibling co-founder partnership over thirty four years
Preparing a company for acquisition through ten consecutive profitable quarters

GUEST DETAILS

Susan Spence is the co-founder of SoftCo, a global procure-to-pay software business built from Dublin that was acquired by Keensight Capital in 2024. She is also the co-founder of Manverton, an investment firm focused on property and the equine industry, and she chairs the Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan. Named Irish Tatler Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, she brings extensive expertise in scaling enterprise technology, navigating economic downturns, and executing successful corporate exits.

MORE INFORMATION

Business Answers podcast, hosted by expert broker Tommy Boyle, explores the intersection of strategic growth, finance, and exit planning for SME owners and directors. Each episode features business leaders providing actionable insights to successfully scale, increase valuation, and build a sellable, sustainable, and profitable enterprise.

This podcast is produced by DustPod.io for BusinessAnswers.ie

QUOTES

You have to keep trying things. The thing that ends up working, you probably never expect it. - Susan Spence

Our strategy was to dominate the local market first. If you can't sell down the road, what gives you the right to sell in Germany, France, wherever else? - Susan Spence

When you come to the very end and somebody wants to buy you, one of the things they ask you is, give me 10 customers we can talk to. We were able to say, here's our full list. - Susan Spence

KEYWORDS

#SellingABusiness#FinancialProcess#AutomationScaling#CoFounderBusinessPartnership
#BuildingASellableEnterprise