      SaaStr · 2012-10-15
      · 4980d
    

Three Paths to SaaS Success: Eloqua, Marketo, and Pardot Case Study

A comparative analysis of three marketing automation SaaS companies that achieved successful exits through different strategies: Eloqua went public then acquired by Oracle for $811M, Marketo raised $110M+ and achieved a $1B+ IPO, and Pardot remained bootstrapped before a $100M acquisition by ExactTarget. The article argues there is no single 'best' path to success in SaaS, and founders should align their strategy with their goals and values.

9 metrics· Cited 0× in the knowledge base ·Open source ↗

Metrics in this report

ARR at Exit

100$M

run rate Q2 2012

Eloqua pre-Oracle acquisition

Capital Raised

40$M

Eloqua total

Pre-IPO SaaS marketing automation

Capital Raised

110$M

total

Marketo pre-IPO

Capital Raised

0$M

VC funding

Pardot bootstrapped

IPO Valuation

92$M

IPO price

Eloqua 2012

IPO Valuation

1000$M

minimum

Marketo 2013

M&A Valuation

811$M

Oracle acquisition

Eloqua 2012

M&A Valuation

100$M

ExactTarget acquisition

Pardot October 2012

Revenue

7.4$M

GAAP 2011

Pardot pre-acquisition