Tiny Startups is a community, newsletter and launch platform for small, bootstrapped startups and side projects. Makers submit their products to get featured, and readers discover new tools every week. Its founder also runs Buy Sell Startups, a sister marketplace and newsletter where those same kinds of projects are listed for sale. Together, they cover the whole life of a tiny startup: launch, growth and, when the time comes, exit.
At a glance
| What it is | A launch platform and community for tiny startups, with a sister for-sale marketplace |
| How you earn | Getting exposure for a project, or selling it through Buy Sell Startups |
| Selling fees | 0% commission for buyers and sellers on Buy Sell Startups |
| Buyer access | Free newsletter; one-time premium upgrade for full listings |
| Who it’s for | Indie makers, solo founders and small acquirers |
| Where it works | Online, worldwide |
Launching on Tiny Startups
You submit your startup to be featured in the directory and newsletter, with categories for SaaS, AI tools, no-code projects, open source and more. Being listed brings early users, feedback and backlinks, and it puts your project in front of other founders and investors who follow the community. It’s a lighter, friendlier alternative to bigger launch platforms where small projects can get lost.
Selling through Buy Sell Startups
When you want to sell, Buy Sell Startups lets you submit your project for free. It promises 0% commission for buyers and sellers and no platform lock-in: buyers contact you directly and you agree the deal between you. Listings are shared through a newsletter of new startups for sale, each with category, revenue, business model and asking price. Buyers can upgrade with a one-time payment for full access to hundreds of listings, rather than a subscription.
What sells
Micro SaaS with a few hundred dollars of monthly revenue, AI tools, browser extensions, newsletters and small content sites are typical. Many listings sit in the low thousands to low tens of thousands of dollars. Pre-revenue projects can sell too, usually to buyers who value the code, design or domain.
Closing a deal safely
Because there’s no built-in deal process, you handle due diligence, payment and transfer yourself. Use an escrow service for anything beyond a small amount. Share verified numbers, such as payment provider access or screenshots of dashboards, and write a short purchase agreement listing exactly what transfers. Don’t hand over code or domains before payment clears.
Why use both
Launching on Tiny Startups builds a public track record: users, feedback and visibility. That history makes a later sale easier, since buyers can see the project was real and appreciated. If you’re buying, following both newsletters gives you a view of what’s being built and what’s for sale.
Getting started
Submit your project to Tiny Startups when it’s ready for users. When you decide to sell, prepare clear numbers and a fair price, then submit it to Buy Sell Startups. If you’re buying, subscribe to the for-sale newsletter and consider the one-time upgrade when you’re ready to act.
Pricing your project
Look at the asking prices in recent Buy Sell Startups newsletters for projects like yours. Price on revenue, users and what it would cost a buyer to rebuild it, not on the hours you spent. Leave room to negotiate, since most small deals close below the first asking price.
Owen’s take
Tiny Startups is a friendly corner of the internet for small projects, and the 0% commission sister marketplace is genuinely useful for tiny exits. The trade-off is that you run the deal yourself. For projects worth a few thousand dollars, that’s a fair swap for keeping every dollar.
Who it suits
It suits indie makers with small projects to launch or sell, and buyers hunting for cheap micro startups. It suits less well larger businesses that need verification, escrow and deal support.
Similar options
- SideProjectors is a free board for selling side projects.
- Microns adds vetting and a transfer service for micro startups.
- Product Hunt is the biggest platform for launching new products.
- TrustMRR lists startups with verified revenue.
More options are in Resources.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free launch exposure for small projects
- 0% commission to sell on the sister marketplace
- Direct contact between buyers and sellers
Cons
- No built-in escrow or verification
- Smaller audience than big marketplaces
- You manage the whole sale
FAQ
Is Tiny Startups a marketplace?
It’s mainly a launch platform and community. Selling happens on its sister marketplace, Buy Sell Startups.
How much does it cost to sell on Buy Sell Startups?
Listing is free, with 0% commission for buyers and sellers.
Do buyers pay anything?
The newsletter is free; full access to all listings is a one-time upgrade.
Is there escrow?
Not built in. Use a third-party escrow service for larger deals.
What kind of projects are listed?
Mostly micro SaaS, AI tools, extensions, newsletters and small content sites.
