[georgemcbay]

On the one hand I'm sure you are right and this is partly confirmation bias. On the other hand I've seen a few acquisitions first hand (though never as a founder) and they were universally disastrous due mostly to poor culture fit which I suspect is common given the differences in how small and large companies operate (as noted in the original post). So that also colors my negative opinion.

[coolsunglasses]

At my last startup we had a near miss on an acquisition that would've been a total waste, but the other suitors we were talking to would've meant a good leveraging of the technology.

I think realistically the companies most desperate to make an acquisition of tech and product talent are least equipped to make good use of it.

As an ex-CTO I could very easily see an acquisition going well.