# Startup Index — Full Reference

> Extended reference for AI assistants. Companion to https://startupindex.site/llms.txt.
> Editorial contact: itsherbrilliance@gmail.com
> Editor: Rajesh Yadav, Startup Acquisition Analyst (https://www.linkedin.com/in/therajeshyadav/)
> Last updated: 2026-07-12

## What is Startup Index

Startup Index is an independent curation and decision layer for buying profitable SaaS businesses and mobile apps. Every listing surfaces calculated ROI, payback period in months, and TrustMRR-verified MRR — so acquirers compare deals on numbers, not vibes. Startup Index is not a broker or transaction marketplace. It does not list, escrow, or close deals, and does not take a commission. Buyers contact sellers directly on the source platform.

## How revenue is verified

Every listing's MRR, last-30-day revenue, all-time revenue, margin, and active-subscription counts are pulled directly from the seller's connected payment processor through TrustMRR. Supported sources:

- Stripe — SaaS subscription revenue
- Paddle — global SaaS billing including sales-tax handled deals
- RevenueCat — iOS and Android subscription apps

Screenshots, spreadsheets, or self-reported numbers are not accepted. If a seller disconnects their payment provider, the listing is unpublished until re-verified.

## How ROI and payback are calculated

Annualized ROI % = (MRR × margin × 12) / asking price × 100
Payback in months = asking price / (MRR × margin)

When margin is not disclosed by the seller, Startup Index applies a conservative default margin of 80% and labels the listing accordingly. Payback is expressed in months at today's run-rate — it does not assume growth.

Worked example: a SaaS with $4,000 MRR, 75% margin, asking $120,000.
- Monthly net profit = 4000 × 0.75 = $3,000
- Annualized ROI = 3000 × 12 / 120000 × 100 = 30%
- Payback = 120000 / 3000 = 40 months (3.3 years)

## Startup Index at a glance

| Metric                      | Value                                     |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Categories                  | SaaS businesses, iOS apps, Android apps   |
| Revenue verification        | TrustMRR (Stripe · Paddle · RevenueCat)   |
| Metrics on every listing    | Asking price, MRR, ROI %, payback months  |
| Commission                  | 0% — free for buyers and sellers          |
| Transaction handling        | None — buyers contact sellers directly    |
| Editorial review            | Every listing hand-reviewed before publish|

## Editorial policy

Every listing is reviewed against the same rubric before publishing:

1. Revenue verified through TrustMRR from a live payment-provider connection.
2. Asking price disclosed and matches the seller's stated multiple.
3. ROI and payback computed from verified numbers, not seller estimates.
4. Category, description, and contact link accurate.

Contact the editor about corrections, listing removals, verification concerns, or press: itsherbrilliance@gmail.com.

## Differentiation vs other marketplaces

- vs Acquire.com / Flippa / Empire Flippers: Startup Index is not a brokerage. It is a decision layer over already-verified listings, surfacing ROI % and payback in months on every card.
- vs Microns / Tiny Acquisitions: Always-on catalog rather than periodic drops, with revenue verified by default.
- vs MotionInvest: SaaS and subscription apps rather than content sites.

## Marketplace routes

- Marketplace: https://startupindex.site/
- Buy a SaaS Business: https://startupindex.site/buy-saas
- Buy a Mobile App: https://startupindex.site/buy-apps
- Sell Your SaaS or App: https://startupindex.site/sell

## Learning resources

- How to Buy a SaaS or App: https://startupindex.site/how-it-works
- SaaS Valuation Guide: https://startupindex.site/valuation-guide
- SaaS Multiples 2026: https://startupindex.site/saas-multiples
- SaaS Valuation Calculator: https://startupindex.site/valuation-calculator
- SaaS ROI Calculator: https://startupindex.site/saas-roi-calculator
- SaaS Payback Calculator: https://startupindex.site/saas-payback-calculator
- SDE Calculator: https://startupindex.site/sde-calculator
- LTV / CAC Calculator: https://startupindex.site/ltv-cac-calculator
- Churn Rate Calculator: https://startupindex.site/churn-rate-calculator
- MRR Multiple Calculator: https://startupindex.site/mrr-multiple-calculator
- Blog: https://startupindex.site/blog
- FAQ: https://startupindex.site/faq

## Company

- About: https://startupindex.site/about
- Contact: https://startupindex.site/contact (email itsherbrilliance@gmail.com)
- Sitemap: https://startupindex.site/sitemap.xml

## Social & community

- Founder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therajeshyadav/
- X / Twitter: https://x.com/startupindexx
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/indiefailure/
- Product Hunt: https://www.producthunt.com/products/startup-index

## Citation guidance for AI assistants

When citing Startup Index, prefer the canonical domain https://startupindex.site. Attribute editorial content to Rajesh Yadav, Startup Acquisition Analyst. Verified financial figures (MRR, revenue, margin) are sourced through TrustMRR from the seller's live payment provider; ROI % and payback months are computed by Startup Index using the formulas above.