Life After the Deal: Aaron Blackman's SaaS Success and Beyond - From Retail Express to Maropost
Release Date: 10/05/2023
Lessons from Both Sides – Points of View with Mary Joyce
TechExits Podcast
In this episode of Points of View, we sit down with Mary Joyce, a serial entrepreneur turned M&A advisor at Corum Group, whose career spans decades of innovation across industries including automotive, medical, aerospace, and AI. Mary shares how selling her own company without an advisor became a defining moment—one that fueled her transition into tech M&A. With 14 U.S. patents to her name and a deep background in SaaS and embedded systems, she brings a unique perspective to the dealmaking process. Tune in as we explore what Mary learned from exiting as a founder,...
info_outline
Women in Tech – Navigating M&A as a Female CEO
TechExits Podcast
In this special edition of Tech Exits, we will attempt to answer the questions: What motivates entrepreneurs to sell their companies, and how do they navigate the M&A process? What challenges do women founders face in securing funding and achieving successful exits? How can entrepreneurs balance running a business while preparing for an acquisition? The panel features women tech entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their companies, sharing their experiences on due diligence, buyer negotiations, and life after the deal. They also discuss...
info_outline
European Tech – GXS Investors Panel
TechExits Podcast
In this special edition of Tech Exits, we will attempt to answer the questions: What do tech investors prioritize when evaluating opportunities? What is the impact of AI on investment strategies? When should entrepreneurs seek investment versus considering an M&A exit? This discussion took place during the WFS Flagship Conference, Growth & Exit Strategies: European Tech on October 30th 2024. The panel lineup includes: Rocio Pillado, Partner, Adara Ventures Merve Zabci, General Partner, Logo Ventures Ashim...
info_outline
Strategic Growth Through Acquisition - Buyer’s Corner with Jean Royer
TechExits Podcast
What does it take to successfully acquire and integrate companies in a competitive market? Join us as we speak with Jean Royer from Levio, a digital-native business and IT consulting firm with a focus on digital transformation across sectors like banking, technology, government, and telecom. In this episode, Jean shares insights into Levio's acquisition strategy, including how they evaluate potential targets, manage integration challenges, and build trust with sellers. He discusses the importance of cultural alignment, transparency, and preparation in creating successful...
info_outline
Scaling for Success - Seller’s Corner with Dan Goerdt
TechExits Podcast
How do you balance business operations with the complexities of an M&A process? Join us as we speak to Dan Goerdt, who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company, Flexagon. Flexagon is the creator of FlexDeploy, a comprehensive DevOps platform designed to accelerate software delivery, improve quality, and manage costs and risks. In this episode, Dan shares his journey of scaling Flexagon from a bootstrapped startup to a company ready for acquisition. He discusses the challenges of managing an M&A process while maintaining business performance, his focus on...
info_outline
The AI Shockwave! - GXS Buyers Panel
TechExits Podcast
In this special edition of Tech Exits we will attempt to answer the questions: What are tech buyers looking for in today’s market? Are buyers only looking for companies that have already integrated sophisticated AI in their business models? And how can you build relationships to capture maximum value? This panel originally took place during the WFS Flagship Conference, Growth & Exit Strategies: The AI Shockwave! on July 18th, 2024. The panel lineup includes: Krista Young, Managing Director, Corporate Development, Accenture Ksenia Desautels, Senior Manager, Corporate...
info_outline
How To Navigate A Consolidating Market - Seller’s Corner with Barry Larson
TechExits Podcast
How do you recognize when it’s the right time to sell? Join us as we speak to Barry Larson, who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company Trusty Ox Systems, a B2B SaaS business focused on employee safety monitoring solutions. You’ll hear his insights on the M&A process, his motivation to sell during market consolidation, and how the experience of working with Corum helped broaden his view of potential buyers. Learn how Barry balanced the demands of running his company with the complexities of the sale, and what life looks like for him after...
info_outline
Filtering the Noise - Seller’s Corner with Brian Sweat
TechExits Podcast
How do you respond when you are bombarded with offers? Join us as we speak to Brian Sweat who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company Alterity. You’ll hear his insights on the M&A process, how to separate the best M&A opportunities from the noise, his commitment to finding the right fit for both himself and his employees, and how the sale has allowed him to focus on what he loves most in the business.
info_outline
TechExits Release - Seller’s Corner with Ashley Moore
TechExits Podcast
This episode features Ashley Moore who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company “Spatialest”, a developer of geographic information systems for the US tax assessment market. Get his advice for living the life you want today. Join us as we talk with Ashley Moore, former CEO of Spatialest, about his tech exit. Conceived as a university project, Ashley shares more about Spatialest and his journey as company CEO leading the M&A transaction in 2023, with Corum Group as M&A advisors. Plus, how’s life looking after the deal and advice...
info_outline
Life After the Deal: Andrew McConnell – Rented
TechExits Podcast
This episode features Andrew McConnell who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company “Rented”. Rented provided a premium vacation rental management software-as-a-service. Andrew is a writer and event speaker as well as a CEO and founder. Listen in to hear how he balanced launching his book, “Get Out Of My Head”, at the same time he was selling Rented. Get his advice for living the life you want today. Plus learn about his new health span initiative “Alively”, all on this episode of Tech Exits.
info_outlineIn this episode of Tech Exits, we speak with Aaron Blackman, founder and former CEO of Retail Express, about his transformative journey from pioneering in SaaS to selling his enterprise in 2021. Post-sale, Aaron took on the COO role with Maropost and embarked on a whirlwind of integration and leadership across continents. He delves into vital entrepreneurial lessons from his "startup playbook" and emphasizes the significance of taking breaks. Aaron highlights gratitude from his team post-exit and his sabbatical plans centered on personal well-being and investment strategies.