Sharks & Mergers, Acquisitions IV: “Marine” Conditions & Tying it Together
Acquirers, Bootstrapping, M&A Process, Risk, Valuation

Sharks & Mergers, Acquisitions IV: “Marine” Conditions & Tying it Together

Sharks & Mergers, Acquisitions IV: "Marine" Conditions & Tying it Together As I mentioned in three other posts, in the technology ecosystem, it is good for (many) buyers to be active, just as an abundance of sharks signals a healthy marine ecosystem. However, it is still good to guard against “Jaws” and other circumstances that are likely to lead to an "attack" on your M&A outcome as a seller. In addition to the buyer landscape (i.e. sharks), there are a number of other inputs that swimmers (sellers)…
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Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets III: “Jaws” vs. Mistaken Identity
Acquirers, Bootstrapping, M&A Process, Risk, Valuation

Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets III: “Jaws” vs. Mistaken Identity

Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets III: "Jaws" vs. Mistaken Identity As I mentioned in two other posts, in the technology ecosystem, it is good for (many) buyers to be active, just as an abundance of sharks signals a healthy marine ecosystem. However, the question remains, does “Jaws” exist, i.e. are there truly dangerous, “company-damaging,” predatory buyers out there? From my experience, the answer is certainly “yes.” However, for each “Jaws” story, the reality is that a Jaws-level acquirer / investor is only involved in a…
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Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets II: Types of Sharks (Buyers)
Acquirers, Bootstrapping, Credibility, M&A Process, Risk, Valuation

Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets II: Types of Sharks (Buyers)

Sharks, Bora Bora, & Engaging M&A Markets II: Types of "Sharks" (Buyers) As discussed in my last post, the process of taking a company to market for investment or M&A can be a lot like my experience swimming with sharks.  While it should be safe, that does not mean it won’t be uncomfortable or that preparation / precaution is not important.  At the end of the last post, I introduce a few concepts that I’ll cover in some detail today and in further detail in future posts.…
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“Free Solo” and the Tech Bootstrapper: 5 Clear Parallels
Bootstrapping, Risk

“Free Solo” and the Tech Bootstrapper: 5 Clear Parallels

“Free Solo” and the Tech Bootstrapper: 5 Clear Parallels In the summer of 2017, Alex Honnold accomplished the impossible by free soloing Yosemite’s daunting 3,200-foot El Capitan. In the climbing world, free soloing could be considered a “sub-specialty” where the climber ascends a rock-face without the use of any safety equipment. In the documentary “Free Solo,” filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi follow Honnold’s preparation for, and ascent of, the formidable face. In accomplishing the climb with no rope, no safety net, and nothing to catch…
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