Why Xero Acquired This South African Startup

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The Founder Files

Metavolve

145 episodes

6 days ago

Rated #1 Podcast for Entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2023 by Feedspot. The Founder Files is where founders come to explore proven growth strategies and real entrepreneurial challenges. Hosted by Cameron Coutts, each episode unpacks the complex journeys of scaling businesses, delivered by entrepreneurs who've walked the path. No script, no filter – just a fireside chat between growth-driven founders. If you’re seeking practical advice and relatable stories to fuel your growth journey, this is your go-to resource. Subscribe now!

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Why Xero Acquired This South African Startup

The Founder Files

1 hour 47 minutes 5 seconds

3 months ago

Why Xero Acquired This South African Startup

What does it take to build a product that fits so well, it practically sells itself to users and acquirers alike?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Vangelis Kyriazis, CEO and co-founder of Syft, a financial reporting platform that was ultimately acquired by Xero.From side hustle beginnings to global acquisition, Vangelis shares how deep product understanding, team trust, and client-centric thinking helped Syft scale, and why staying simple was their greatest strength.We dive into:• Building a product that complemented Xero perfectly• Leading through uncertainty during acquisition• Creating internal systems that scale with your team• Managing client expectations with third-party partners• Staying focused by understanding your product deeplyThis episode is packed with real-world lessons on building, scaling, and selling a product without losing your edge or your people.---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Vangelis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vangelis-kyriazis-55700098/?originalSubdomain=za🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfilespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-metavolve/----------00:00 Introduction04:35 Understanding Syft's business model & strategy06:29 Syft's market fit in accounting tech18:51 Mental clarity in the messy middle22:59 Time management for growth-stage founders26:50 Inside the Xero acquisition38:26 What made Syft the right fit?48:43 Behind the scenes of integration01:01:46 Founder remuneration post-acquisition01:07:29 Navigating the unexpected: Surprises in the acquisition journey01:12:53 Has the acquisition shifted your ambition?01:17:10 What’s next: The roadmap for integration01:25:22 Leading through uncertainty 01:32:02 What are you excited about for the rest of 2025?