Scott Tolinski
@stolinski United States64K followers
Syntax podcast co-host and creator of Level Up Tutorials
Level Up Tutorials, Syntax, Phases +1
exit story · 2023 · creators & writers
How Scott Tolinski & Wes Bos Sold Syntax to Sentry (2023)
Syntax was built by Scott Tolinski & Wes Bos and sold to Sentry in 2023.
Key facts
- Buyer
- Sentry ↗
- Year
- 2023
- Price
- Undisclosed
- Revenue at sale
- —
- Years operated
- 5.8 years
- Channel
- Direct sale
Why they sold: Producing the show took a full recording day each week plus time on sponsorships and editing, so Wes and Scott lacked the time and resources for what they wanted to do. Joining Sentry, a longtime sponsor, gave them a team and freed them from selling ads.
The story of Syntax
Syntax is a web development podcast that Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski launched in mid-2017 after meeting in a mastermind group. It grew into one of the most popular podcasts for web developers, with twice-weekly episodes, live shows and later a YouTube channel, and was funded by sponsorships.
Sentry had sponsored the show for years. A Sentry contact Wes had long known approached the hosts about bringing Syntax under Sentry so they could stop selling ad spots and devote more time to it. On April 12, 2023, Sentry announced that Syntax had joined the company, timed with the show's 600th episode. Terms were not disclosed.
After the deal the podcast stopped running paid ads, Scott joined Sentry to work on Syntax full time, and his Level Up Tutorials library was made free and folded into the Syntax platform. The team added a producer and more creators, launched a new website and expanded on YouTube, with Sentry saying it would keep Syntax's own identity.
The makers
Wes Bos
@wesbos Canada441K followers
Canadian full-stack JavaScript teacher behind JavaScript30 and the Syntax podcast
Syntax, Wes Bos Courses
See the Syntax product page or Scott Tolinski's full profile, Wes Bos's full profile for everything they have built since.
Other exits by Scott Tolinski & Wes Bos
Level Up Tutorials
→ Sentry · 2023
by Scott Tolinski
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Sources
- blog.sentry.io — blog.sentry.io/syntax-sentry-mmxxiii/
- syntax.fm — syntax.fm/show/892/the-history-of-syntax/transcript
- syntax.fm — syntax.fm/600
Facts are taken from the maker's and buyer's public statements and press coverage. Prices and revenue are shown only when publicly stated; self-reported figures are not independently verified.
Keep exploring
Syntax acquisition FAQ
Who bought Syntax?
Syntax was acquired by Sentry in 2023 from Scott Tolinski & Wes Bos.
How much did Syntax sell for?
The price was not publicly disclosed.
Why did Scott Tolinski & Wes Bos sell Syntax?
Producing the show took a full recording day each week plus time on sponsorships and editing, so Wes and Scott lacked the time and resources for what they wanted to do. Joining Sentry, a longtime sponsor, gave them a team and freed them from selling ads.
How long did it take Syntax to get acquired?
Syntax was sold about 5.8 years after launch, through a direct sale (sold directly to a buyer, often a competitor, customer or acquirer that reached out).