Some quick reflections on the current tech M&A market
We’re just a few weeks into 2018 and have already completed three portfolio exits: @Mattermark (by @FullContact), @MemoAIHQ (by @coinbase), and @GoPike13 (by $CSU.ca). This is a good time to share some observations about the current state of the tech M&A market – both specific insights from these transactions as well as broader observations. More […]
Looking to sell? When and how to hire an investment bank
When entrepreneurs are thinking about an exit, they typically wonder if they should hire an investment bank to help with the process. Will a bank bring in new buyers and better terms, or will you just be sinking money into the bank’s coffers? Since I’m often asked about the process, I thought I’d break down my […]
How to keep founders around after an acquisition
Facebook, Google, Salesforce, Twitter…all the top players in Silicon Valley want to get their hands on the best talent around. That’s why we’ve seen example after example of “acqui-hires” in the past few years as well as some very large acquisitions where a big driver was the talent behind a start-up (e.g. Nest, Beats). However, only a […]
When to sell your company
Few decisions can be as life-changing for founders as deciding when to sell a business. Companies get sold for a whole host of reasons: founders break up; money runs out; shareholders force a sale. And in many cases, the financial upside of a sale is just too seducing for the entrepreneurs, particularly for first-time founders. […]