From Cash Flow to Exit: How Sharon Nouh Bootstrapped ProSpend to a Successful Acquisition

In this episode of Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side, we sit down with Sharon Nouh, founder and CEO of ProSpend and Lighter Capital’s first-ever Grit & Growth Award. Sharon shares how she built and scaled a SaaS company without traditional VC funding—and ultimately led it to a successful acquisition by UK-based ISH.Sharon walks through the realities of bootstrapping: managing cash flow, choosing non-dilutive funding, maintaining control as a founder, and navigating the challenges she faced pitching VCs as a female entrepreneur. She also reflects on the pivotal moments that accelerated ProSpend’s growth, including key partnerships and integrations that unlocked scale.Beyond her journey to success, she shares practical lessons on preparing for an exit, what founders should expect from the acquisition process, and why playing the long game can pay off in a big way.