On the one hand I'm sure you are right and this is partly confirmation bias. On the other hand I've seen a few acquisitions first hand (though never as a founder) and they were universally disastrous due mostly to poor culture fit which I suspect is common given the differences in how small and large companies operate (as noted in the original post). So that also colors my negative opinion.
At my last startup we had a near miss on an acquisition that would've been a total waste, but the other suitors we were talking to would've meant a good leveraging of the technology.
I think realistically the companies most desperate to make an acquisition of tech and product talent are least equipped to make good use of it.
As an ex-CTO I could very easily see an acquisition going well.
