Ensuring Smooth Transitions

At Curious, our focus is on buying and operating software companies for the long-term, and a big part of that success comes from having a clear, well-structured transition process. 

Over time, we’ve fine-tuned this approach to make sure everything runs smoothly—for both the companies we acquire and our own internal teams. Our aim is simple: prevent anything from slipping through the cracks and always look for ways to keep improving. Of course, there’s a lot more to the transition process than what I’ll cover here, but these are the higher-level steps I want to focus on, along with some reference documents that we’ve made public so that others can use or modify them for their own use. 

1. Start with Comprehensive Due Diligence

Before we even start taking over operations, we dive into a thorough but efficient 30 day diligence process. This is where we get into the details of the company—not just the product and financials, but the way it operates day to day. This foundation is what helps us ensure a smooth transition later and helps us make sure we’re making the right decision acquiring the company. We evaluate the company’s workflows, tech stack, and culture to ensure alignment and flag potential risks early.

We provide the seller with our Diligence Schedule and use this Diligence Checklist to make sure every detail is covered and no step is overlooked. This approach not only streamlines the process for us as the buyer but also helps the seller by clearly outlining what information is needed and when, allowing them to respond quickly and efficiently. 

2. Transparent Communication is Key

If there’s one thing we’ve learned during transitions, it’s that clear communication makes all the difference. Acquisitions naturally bring up uncertainty, so we make transparency a priority to keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the process. We start with open, honest conversations with key stakeholders to share our vision and get their feedback. Once that’s in place, we ensure the entire company knows what’s happening and how the transition will affect them. 

A word we use a lot internally is continuation. With the businesses we acquire, particularly when it comes to team and processes, we want to make sure we continue all of the things that are working well. 

3. Ownership Transfer: Logins, Platforms, and Billing

One of the most important parts of the process is making sure that all platforms, tools, and accounts are transferred correctly. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s crucial to keeping things running smoothly post-acquisition. We ensure all logins, passwords, and admin roles are transferred seamlessly, along with billing information for services and subscriptions to avoid disruptions.

We rely on a Transition Checklist to manage these tasks and ensure nothing is overlooked. With so many moving parts on both sides, this checklist is essential for keeping everything organized and running smoothly. It helps us stay aligned and ensures clear communication throughout the process. Both teams can easily update the status of tasks—from Needed to Received, Transferred, Canceled, or N/A—making collaboration efficient and seamless.

4. Integrating Teams and Processes

Once the deal is done, the real work begins. Integrating teams and processes can be tricky, but we’ve built a system that helps us transition without disrupting day-to-day operations. We look for ways our teams can complement each other, improving efficiency and innovation. Gradually aligning processes helps everyone adjust smoothly.

5. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

We continue to monitor how the company is performing and make improvements as needed to keep everything on track. We set clear metrics—like customer retention and product development timelines—to measure progress. Regular check-ins and real-time feedback help us adapt as necessary.

In the end, our approach to transitions is about more than just maintaining the status quo. It's about creating a foundation for future growth and ensuring the companies we acquire thrive in the long term. By sticking to these key steps and always looking for ways to improve, we minimize disruptions and set everyone up for success.

‍