How can you exit your start-up without losing customers and employees?

Like all the actions and decisions humans make, they have to have a clear goal and reason as why to do it. Same way one should have a clear goal before making decision to exit a start up. Pre and post consequences of the decision.

The motive should be crystal clear and need to be precise. When we are able to do that neither our customers nor our employees will be in disappointed. This the best way to avoid any choas which deeply effects the business.

Identifique possíveis obstáculos à conclusão da transação e esteja preparado para abordá-los proativamente durante as negociações.

An exit plan with clear goal(s) is the starting point for me. Set a timeline of one to five years within which to achieve a profitable exit - don't be in a haste. Communicate your intention to exit to key staff and address their concerns particularly on their job security and continuous improvement in their work environment. Not doing so might have severe consequences for valuation. Address key value drivers in optimizing sales such as structure, records, etc. Appointing an experience consultant/business broker to oversee this lengthy and cumbersome exercise is advisable, so you can continue to focus on the needful- driving a profitable business.

How can you exit your start-up without losing customers and employees - a fundamental question to answer before embarking on an exit and one any potential acquirer or investor will probe. 3 key points: 1. Identify the key contributors in the business, not just the leaders, and ensure they are motivated & and rewarded by any exit - e.g. Growth shares and employee Options, and make sure they understand your exit strategy and can see a positive future beyond it. 2. Put in place a solid, well-led customer-facing operational management team that is by definition included in part 1 above. 3. Build a realistic well-defined and resourced product development roadmap - customers will eventually desert a one-product company

Destaque os pontos fortes e únicos da sua startup. Mostre como ela se destaca da concorrência e por que representa uma oportunidade valiosa para o comprador.

Trabalhe com advogados, consultores financeiros e outros especialistas para orientar o processo de negociação e garantir que todos os aspectos legais e financeiros sejam considerados.

Having a strong sucession plan i.e. a second line of management and plan of action (i) to ensure business continuity; (ii) no disruption to ongoing operations and (iii) smooth and effective transition process are the key ingredients to a sucessfull exit plan without loosing the business, its customer, value propositions.

Além do preço, considere outros termos importantes, como prazos, formas de pagamento, retenção de funcionários-chave e responsabilidades pós-venda

This is probably the most critical part, where most failures occur. Remember teamsheets are typically non-binding, enabling the potential acquirer to beat the competition without actually committing to anything but an outline set of terms. Negotiate hard with bidders but aim to maintain good relationships with as many as possible for later. I have experienced several situations where the highest bidder proved an unreliable suitor and pulled out after many months of effort. Equally, I have had to pull out at the 11th hour due to unsavory facts emerging about shareholders/directors. Exits are time-consuming and highly distracting for the management team so look for a buyer that a) has a track record of moving fast and b) the funds to hand.

Most of the time an exit strategy involves taking risks. It gives out the idea that the person is done or the company is done. The process, consequences, and convincing depends upon the motive of your exit.

Your personal and professional goals and how they align with your exit option (e.g., selling, transferring, closing, or declaring bankruptcy). The valuation and attractiveness of your start-up to potential buyers or investors, and how to maximize it by improving your financial performance, brand reputation, customer base, and intellectual property rights. The impact of your exit on your customers and employees, and how to minimize any disruption or dissatisfaction by maintaining your focus on quality, honoring your commitments, and transferring the business smoothly. You should manage your exit as a project, with a clear timeline, budget, and milestones, and monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of your exit.