CEOs Who Sold Their Companies Share Real M&A Lessons | 2026 Sellers Panel
Release Date: 03/18/2026
Episode 93: Inside the Deal with Brian Allen
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we sit down with Brian Allen, former Managing Director and Chief Executive of Certus Solutions. Over the course of two decades, Brian grew Certus into a leading IBM-focused software and services provider in Australia and New Zealand, specializing in enterprise asset management. This journey culminated in a successful strategic sale to Aegis, following a long-planned liquidity event for the company's shareholders. Brian discusses his decade-long relationship with Corum Group, which began during a prior M&A process, and explains why he chose to...
info_outline
CEOs Who Sold Their Companies Share Real M&A Lessons | 2026 Sellers Panel
The Tech M&A Podcast
Selling a company is one of the most complex—and emotional—transactions a founder will ever face. In this 2026 Annual Sellers Panel, CEOs who successfully built and sold their companies share real‑world insights from inside the M&A process. From global deal dynamics and valuation expectations to earnouts, advisor selection, partner alignment, and emotional resilience, this panel offers candid lessons every founder should hear before going to market. The discussion highlights what surprised sellers most, where preparation mattered, and why having experienced advisors,...
info_outline
Tech M&A in February 2026: Deal Volume, Valuations & Mega Deal Trends Explained
The Tech M&A Podcast
February 2026 was an active month for technology mergers and acquisitions, with 394 tech M&A transactions, including five billion‑dollar mega deals and a top disclosed transaction valued at $9.9 billion. In this market update, we break down the latest tech M&A data from the Corum Index, including deal volume, valuation multiples, private equity activity, cross‑border trends, and sector‑level performance across horizontal, vertical, infrastructure, gaming, IT services, healthcare, AI, cybersecurity, and supply chain management. You’ll hear where valuations are...
info_outline
5 Costly Tech M&A Myths That Kill Founder Value (And How to Avoid Them)
The Tech M&A Podcast
After 40 years advising technology founders on mergers and acquisitions, one thing is clear: old myths about selling a tech company refuse to die—and they cost founders millions. In this video, a veteran tech M&A advisor breaks down five dangerous myths that still derail otherwise great exits. From the belief that “companies are bought, not sold,” to the risks of amateur buyer outreach and flawed bid timelines, this discussion explains why preparation, process, and professional execution matter more than ever. If you’re a tech founder, CEO, or shareholder thinking...
info_outline
Episode 92: Inside the Deal with Robin Fisk
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we sit down with Robin Fisk, co‑founder and CEO of Donorfy, a SaaS CRM platform built specifically for nonprofits and charities. Robin shares the 10‑year journey of building a bootstrapped, cloud‑based CRM serving over 1,000 organizations across the UK and Scandinavia, culminating in Donorfy’s acquisition by The Access Group in November 2024. Robin walks through why he and his co‑founder decided to sell, how they prepared for the M&A process, why choosing the right advisor mattered, and what surprised him most along the way. He...
info_outline
Episode 91: Inside the Deal with James Fair
The Tech M&A Podcast
Operating a company during an exit is difficult. Managing a sell-side process while simultaneously acquiring a business in a different time zone? That requires a specific mindset. In this episode, we speak with James Fair, founder of Vetasi, following his acquisition by Cohesive (part of the Bentley Group). James breaks down the reality of "oily hands" asset management software and the critical importance of recurring revenue. He shares the story of a grueling, unprecedented 3-week due diligence sprint that galvanized his team, and offers advice on why waiting for the "perfect" conditions is...
info_outline
Episode 90: The Power of a Pause
The Tech M&A Podcast
Markets shift. Buyers have concerns. Sometimes the offer isn't what you expected. After 40 years and more tech company sales than any firm in history, we've learned one crucial truth: Sometimes the best move is to hit "pause." In this month's webcast, hear from three founders who leveraged Corum’s Hiatus program to deliver dramatically better results: addressing buyer concerns, improving customer base, reducing churn and demonstrating consistency—proving that patience and preparation beat settling every time. Plus, we'll cover: CEO Desk: Thinking About an Exit? 7 Buyer Benchmarks That...
info_outline
Episode 89: Smart Money is Selling – Should You?
The Tech M&A Podcast
The smart money is capitalizing on the strong M&A market and valuations to exit investments. In this month’s Tech M&A Monthly webcast, we’ll explore five key reasons why VC and PE funds are heading for the exits—and what it means for your business. Are you watching what the smart money is doing? You should. What else will be covered? Special report: Understanding Working Capital Current Tech M&A market trends Valuations across all 6 tech sectors November megadeal report Learn why Tech CEOs and Founders should be watching the PE and VC exit trends. ...
info_outline
Episode 88: Quality of Revenue—The Key to Your Value
The Tech M&A Podcast
When buyers evaluate a software or tech company, they don’t just look at top-line growth or EBITDA. Buyers dig into the quality of your revenue. Is it recurring? Diversified? Sustainable? These factors play a critical role in determining valuation and can mean the difference between an average and extraordinary outcome. In this webcast, we break down what acquirers really look for in revenue streams, how quality impacts valuation and what CEOs and founders can do now to strengthen their company’s long-term value. Webcast Agenda: CEO Desk: 10 AI Traps to Avoid with M&A...
info_outline
Episode 87: Tech M&A Bidding—The New Rules
The Tech M&A Podcast
The rules of Tech M&A have changed. What once took months now happens in days — accelerating buyer responses, heightening competition and creating opportunities for sellers to maximize value. In this webcast, we discuss how you can succeed in the virtual age of Tech M&A bidding. Additionally, we also cover: 10 Tips for choosing an M&A attorney Key deals in August 2025 Valuation trends across six sectors Upcoming M&A educational opportunities --------------------------------------------------------------- Corum's Tech M&A Monthly is a regular podcast series for...
info_outlineSelling a company is one of the most complex—and emotional—transactions a founder will ever face.
In this 2026 Annual Sellers Panel, CEOs who successfully built and sold their companies share real‑world insights from inside the M&A process. From global deal dynamics and valuation expectations to earnouts, advisor selection, partner alignment, and emotional resilience, this panel offers candid lessons every founder should hear before going to market.
The discussion highlights what surprised sellers most, where preparation mattered, and why having experienced advisors, aligned partners, and clean financial reporting can make or break an outcome.
If you’re a tech founder or CEO thinking about an exit—now or in the future—this panel delivers practical, experience‑driven advice from those who’ve already been through it.
Corum is the world's leading educator on tech trends, valuations, growth strategies and Tech M&A. If you are a Tech CEO/founder and would like to learn to prepare, position, research, value, negotiate and execute due diligence for maximum price and optimal structure in an M&A transaction, attend one of our upcoming events. Visit corumgroup.com/events for a full global event schedule.
Takeaways
- Tech M&A is truly global, with buyers and sellers spanning multiple continents
- A company is ultimately worth what the market is willing to pay, not expectations
- Valuation discussions require research and realism
- Earnouts and post‑close roles must be clearly defined upfront
- Partner alignment and transparency are critical during negotiations
- Strong preparation of financials reduces pressure during due diligence
- Experienced M&A advisors help smooth negotiations and protect value
- Once committed to an exit, founders should make every decision around building value
Chapters
01:42 – What was your process for selecting an advisor
04:54 – What was your motivation for going through the M&A process?
07:39 – During the M&A process, what surprises did you encounter along the way?
11:53 – What advice would you give to CEOs selling their company?