Guest: Tony Rock, Founder of Lever 6 Capital

In this episode, we explore why creating exit value starts years before a company ever goes to market—and what private equity operating partners can do today to maximize future outcomes.

Building enterprise value isn't just about growing revenue or hitting EBITDA targets. Tony Rock, Founder of Lever 6 Capital, joins us to discuss the operational, strategic, and cultural decisions that make companies more attractive to buyers long before an exit process begins.

Drawing on decades of experience as a founder, operator, investor, PE principal, and advisor, Tony shares why so many otherwise successful businesses struggle through the transaction process, how operating partners can identify value creation opportunities earlier, and why benchmarking, pricing, culture, and leadership alignment all play critical roles in creating a premium asset.

Whether you're an operating partner, private equity investor, or founder preparing for an eventual exit, this conversation offers practical frameworks for building a stronger company—not just a more profitable one.

Key takeaways:

• Why exit planning should begin years before a sale process starts.
• The Six Cs framework for evaluating long-term enterprise value.
• How benchmarking against peers uncovers hidden opportunities.
• Why pricing and packaging deserve more attention from PE-backed companies.
• The cultural and leadership factors that influence successful transactions.
• How operating partners can position portfolio companies for stronger exits.

Additional resources from Lever 6 Capital:

For more context on recurring revenue market trends, explore Tony’s Compounding: Q2 2026 Recurring Revenue Market Report.

You can also download Exit Conversations, a practical guide to understanding buyer behavior, protecting value, and navigating the risks that determine your final outcome.