Learning from False Starts - Seller's Corner with Steve Barone
Release Date: 03/01/2024
How Buyers Think Beyond the Acquisition – Buyer’s Corner with Don Penland, Knox Capital
TechExits Podcast
Don Penland | Operating Partner | Knox Capital What actually happens after a deal closes—and what do buyers wish founders had done before? In this Buyer’s Corner episode, Don Penland, Operating Partner at Knox Capital, shares a hands-on view of how private equity evaluates, acquires, and then improves software businesses. Don breaks down what makes a company attractive from an operator’s lens, where founders create risk without realizing it, and what typically gets fixed immediately post-acquisition—from financial visibility to...
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Building Value Before the Exit: Seller’s Corner with Mark Nardone, Blue Cow Software
TechExits Podcast
Mark Nardone | Blue Cow Software| Former President In this Seller’s Corner episode, Mark Nardone, President of Blue Cow Software, shares the story behind building — and ultimately selling — a niche SaaS company serving the fuel and energy industry. Mark reflects on an early acquisition attempt that nearly closed and then fell apart, what that experience taught him about valuation, buyer intent, and timing, and how focusing on recurring revenue fundamentally changed how buyers viewed the business. He also discusses why choosing the right...
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Inside the Investor’s Playbook: How VCs Think About Exits, Valuation, and Timing – TechExits with Rodolfo Dieck
TechExits Podcast
Rodolfo Elias Dieck | Managing Partner | Proeza Ventures What does today’s exit market really look like from the investor’s seat? In this Investor’s Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast, Rodolfo Elias Dieck shares how venture investors think about exits in today’s market—why most venture‑backed outcomes still happen through strategic M&A, how founders should prepare years in advance, and where valuation expectations often break down. Rodolfo also discusses the growing role of secondaries, how boards and investors...
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Inside a Strategic Buyer’s Playbook: Buyer’s Corner with Sharon Van Zeeland, Rockwell Automation
TechExits Podcast
Sharon Van Zeeland | Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development | Rockwell Automation What do strategic buyers actually look for before they make an acquisition? In this Buyer’s Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast, Sharon Van Zeeland shares how Rockwell Automation approaches M&A—from target identification and diligence through integration and value creation. Sharon explains what founders often misunderstand about buyer priorities, why profitability and focus matter more than ever, and how transparency...
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AI Investors Panel: What Gets Funded (and Exited) Now | TechExits Podcast
TechExits Podcast
What are investors actually looking for in the AI Era for tech companies right now? In this special TechExits Podcast episode, we bring you the Investors Panel from Growth & Exit Strategies: Scaling & Selling in the AI Era, recorded live on November 6. Leading venture, growth, and private equity investors share how AI is reshaping investment decisions, valuations, and exit strategies—and what founders should understand as they scale, raise capital, or prepare for M&A. The discussion covers: What gets funded in...
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Letting Go to Move Forward: Seller’s Corner with Robin Fisk, Donorfy
TechExits Podcast
Robin Fisk | Donorfy | Co-Founder & Former CEO In this Seller’s Corner episode, Robin Fisk shares what it really takes to sell a SaaS company you’ve spent a decade building. As a two-time founder and former CEO of Donorfy—a bootstrapped CRM serving more than 1,000 charities & nonprofits—Robin offers a candid look at designing a company with an exit in mind, managing the reality of due diligence, and handling the emotional side of letting go. He reflects on what worked, what he’d do differently, and how he approached the deal after the first buyer walked away....
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Redefining Venture Capital: Investor’s Corner with Jenny Abramson, Rethink Impact
TechExits Podcast
Jenny Abramson | Rethink Impact | Founder & Managing Partner Jenny Abramson, Founder & Managing Partner at Rethink Impact — the largest U.S.-based VC firm investing in female CEOs using tech to solve the world’s biggest problems — joins us for an inspiring Investor’s Corner conversation. She discusses how impact and performance go hand in hand, why now is a defining moment for female founders, and how Rethink Impact identifies companies where social good and business growth scale together. Jenny also shares her take on the current wave of tech exits, lessons...
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Scaling with Strategy – Buyer’s Corner with Ibrahim Abdel Rahim
TechExits Podcast
Ibrahim Abdel Rahim | Managing Partner | Moonbase Capital What drives a successful acquisition strategy from the buyer’s seat? In this episode, we sit down with Ibrahim Abdel Rahim to explore how disciplined acquisition strategies fuel long-term growth. Ibrahim shares his approach to identifying the right opportunities, balancing financial considerations with strategic fit, and navigating the challenges of integration. He highlights the role of trust, preparation, and clear communication in building lasting relationships with sellers. Ibrahim also offers practical...
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Inside the Investor’s Mind – Investor’s Corner with Daniel Ibri, Mindset Ventures
TechExits Podcast
Daniel Ibri | Mindset Ventures | Co-Founder & Managing Partner We’re kicking off the very first Investor’s Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast with Daniel Ibri, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mindset Ventures. Daniel shares his view on the surge in venture-backed tech exits, how today’s M&A market compares to past cycles, and the role VCs play in guiding founders through the exit process. He also talks about where most exits are happening—M&A, IPOs, or secondaries—and which sectors excite him most right now. This debut Investor’s...
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Juggling Stakeholders, Landing the Deal – Seller’s Corner with Scot Cocanour
TechExits Podcast
Scot Cocanour | Promium | Founder & CEO What’s it like to sell a business after nearly a quarter-century of innovation, leadership, and growth? In this episode, we speak with Scot Cocanour, founder and CEO of Promium, a specialized software company serving environmental labs. Scot reflects on the decision to sell after 24 years, navigating the M&A process while balancing the needs of his employees, customers, and shareholders. He discusses the smooth, eight-month journey that exceeded expectations, the importance of timing, and the emotional and strategic...
info_outlineWhen the first M&A deal fell through for cybersecurity solutions provider CBI, former president and CEO Steve Barone bounced back with new learnings and a refined vision of his ideal buyer. After an optimal outcome, Steve is traveling the world with his family and shaking things up in the cocktail bar industry.
Listen in for Steve’s take on what you need to succeed in your tech exit, with first-hand advice on how to recover from a failed deal.