simonswords82
Joined 16 years ago
Karma
3,273
Submissions
983
Member since
Jul 27
Recent submissions
Comment · 3 months ago
I read that Apple warned them about a potential litigation in February so you could be correct.
Comment · 5 months ago
It took me about ten businesses and over 20 years to "succeed". I wanted to retire at 35 for as long as I could remember, missed that by 7 years.
Sold Staff Squared in 2022 for a good sum (7 figure), reinvested most of it into Fundipedia.
Sold Fundipedia for life changing (8 figure) sum in 2025.
All businesses were bootstrapped, reinvesting profits to grow them organically.
I'm now angel investing and consulting. I'm posting more about my journey on my personal website over the coming months https://www.simonswords.com
Rough timeline:
2000 - started a computer hardware company called Atlas alongside a speed dating company (that's not a joke, I ran a speed dating company and some other weird businesses).
2002 - switched Atlas to designing websites, stopped selling hardware and associated support - fed up with call outs to fix networks at the weekend.
2004 - started to design AND code websites, grew Atlas out as a custom software shop - had about 10 employees. Made about 10% margin on a good year. Tough business.
Around 2006 - Vowed to find ARR working with our team on various software solution ideas.
2007 - built first version of what would become Fundipedia - a data management platform for buy side asset managers e.g. HSBC/Barclays/LGIM etc.
2011 - got fed up with internal HR admin as we took on more staff. Built internal HR/time off tracking system that would eventually become Staff Squared - a SaaS HR solution for small businesses.
2012 - 2016 - ran Atlas, Fundipedia and Staff Squared - not very well, but never made a mistake that killed these businesses. Although it nearly killed me - super stressful.
2017 - Fundipedia showed signs of promise as clients were coming to us via word of mouth - we did not market it at all. So I put a plan in place to grow Fundipedia and take on challenge of learning more about the asset management space.
2021 - landed massive Fundipedia client. Sold Staff Squared to a private buyer, wound down Atlas clients.
2025 - With Fundipedia leading the sector it was in - busting the rule of 40 it was now a real threat and an opportunity to our larger competitors in the space. I sold to FE FundInfo (who backed by Hg Capital).
Comment · 1 year ago
Where? Source please?
Comment · 1 year ago
I think most of us are hard wired to progress - progression looks different for each of us but matters all the same.
I've also had side quests in addition to my main quest which is financial stability and the extreme and total control of my circumstances. Side quests are hobbies, friendships, fitness targets etc.
Comment · 1 year ago
I love this line from a 2024 TV show called "The Gentlemen" and I think about it a lot:
"It’s a lucky man who is happy with his place in life"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gentlemen_(2024_TV_series)
Comment · 1 year ago
AKA quit while you're ahead
Comment · 1 year ago
Yes! That’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
Comment · 1 year ago
Just sold my data management software business https://www.fundipedia.com.
Now bootstrapping https://www.minute-master.com - AI formal minute generation for regulated firms primarily in financial services space but also free to use for charities.
Comment · 1 year ago
Comment · 1 year ago
I was going to say the opposite. Seems on all the main news outlets (Financial Times et al) have disabled comments. I was happy to see this being discussed on HN and I’ve yet to see Middle East or Trump being censored but happy to be signposted to evidence of this on HN.
Comment · 1 year ago
Without over complicating it, using AI is currently about 4x productivity in mid to senior developers.
Comment · 1 year ago
Good on this guy for having the courage to be honest about his circumstances. Still, shitty that this is the situation.
My mainstay was Fundipedia https://www.fundipedia.com. We solved data problems for the financial services industry - asset managers to be precise like HSBC, LGIM, Barclays.
I sold Fundipedia in May 2025 and another SaaS business prior, and now spend my time looking for like minded people who love fresh ideas.
Connect with me on Linked In: https://linkedin.com/in/simonswords/