Michael Magliochetti | Operating Partner | Riverside Partners

What separates companies that command premium valuations from those that struggle to close a deal?

In this Buyers Corner episode, Michael Magliochetti, Operating Partner at Riverside Partners, shares insights from decades of leading healthcare companies, completing acquisitions, and helping businesses grow through strategic investment.

Drawing on experience from both sides of the table, Mike explains what buyers evaluate beyond financial performance, why culture and leadership matter during diligence, and how founders can position their companies years before an exit.

He also discusses the realities of integration, common mistakes sellers make during a transaction, and why experienced advisors often make the difference between a good outcome and a great one.

📖 Interested in learning more from Mike? His leadership book, Dancing Between the Toes of Elephants, explores lessons from his career in leadership, business, and life.

Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Between-Toes-Elephants-Experience/dp/1964421136

Key takeways:

• How buyers evaluate companies beyond the financials

• Why culture and leadership influence acquisition success

• What founders should do years before an exit

• The role experienced advisors play during an M&A process

00:00 – Introduction & Mike's background

03:40 – What Riverside looks for in acquisition opportunities

11:20 – Evaluating management teams and founder readiness

21:10 – Running a successful M&A process and standing out as a buyer

35:24 – The advisors founders need and post-close integration

39:52 – Mike's advice for founders preparing for an exit

Brian Mac Mahon | Expert Dojo | Founder & Managing Partner

What does it really take to attract investment in today's market?

In this Investor's Corner episode, Brian Mac Mahon, Founder & Managing Partner of Expert Dojo, shares his unfiltered perspective on venture capital, startup growth, and why founders spend too much time chasing investors instead of customers.

Brian discusses the realities of today's fundraising environment, how he evaluates founders across a portfolio of more than 300 companies, and why execution matters more than hype—even in the AI era.

He also shares his views on venture-backed exits, secondary transactions, market liquidity, and the traits that separate exceptional founders from everyone else.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Why today's venture market is more challenging than founders realize • How investors evaluate growth and execution • Why customer traction matters more than hype or AI buzzwords • What founders should focus on to build a venture-scale business

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Expert Dojo

00:45 – Investment strategy and emerging markets

02:14 – The reality of today's venture capital market

07:58 – Building companies investors want to back

11:26 – Exits, secondaries, and liquidity trends

15:24 – What founders get wrong about investors

20:53 – AI, growth, and venture-scale businesses

23:43 – Final advice for founders

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 go-to-market execution.

If you're building with an exit in mind—or want to understand how buyers think beyond the pitch—this episode gives you a clear, practical view of what happens on the other side of the deal.

Key takeways:

• What private equity buyers prioritize beyond growth

• Where founders create risk before a deal

• What gets fixed in the first 90 days post-acquisition

• How to position your company for a stronger exit

00:00 – Introduction & Knox Capital's acquisition strategy

01:32 – AI trends and consolidation in the MSP market

05:51 – What makes acquisitions succeed or fail

11:16 – Building trust during the M&A process

15:45 – Common founder mistakes and deal breakers

24:33 – Post-acquisition integration challenges

27:08 – Final advice for founders planning an exit

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 buyer mattered more than maximizing price, how experienced advisors helped manage friction during negotiations, and what life looks like after the transaction — including why reduced stress became the most meaningful outcome.

Key Takeaways:

• Recurring revenue significantly improves buyer perception and valuation

• Selling without experienced M&A guidance creates real risk

• Buyer fit can matter more than headline price

• The greatest post‑exit benefit is reduced stress and clarity

00:00 – Introduction and Mark Nardone's background 01:05 – Building Blue Cow Software and long‑term vision 06:12 – Preparing for the exit and navigating the sale process 10:23 – Lessons learned and post‑exit reflections

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 navigate misalignment, and what founders need to understand about building relationships with potential acquirers early.

A practical, grounded conversation for founders, operators, and investors navigating the next wave of tech exits.

Key Takeaways

• Why most venture‑backed exits still happen through M&A

• How investors help founders prepare long before a sale

• Where valuation misalignment between founders and VCs comes from

• Why secondaries matter—but aren't a silver bullet yet

00:00 – Introduction & Proeza Ventures' investment focus 01:50 – Why tech exits are picking up again 04:30 – How investors prepare founders for exits 07:05 – M&A vs IPOs and the role of secondaries 09:10 – Inbound interest vs running a formal M&A process 12:45 – What buyers value that founders often overlook 19:20 – Will the exit wave continue? Advice for founders

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 can make or break a deal.

A must-listen for tech CEOs who want to understand how strategic acquirers think—and how to position their company accordingly.

Key takeways:

• What strategic buyers value beyond revenue • How corporates assess product fit and risk • Why transparency speeds up M&A deals • How founders can prepare to be acquisition-ready

00:00 – Introduction & Sharon's background

01:00 – Rockwell's acquisition strategy

02:50 – What makes a company attractive to buyers

04:30 – Product and technology diligence

07:30 – Common red flags founders underestimate

09:15 – How deals get delayed or derailed

10:20 – Post-close integration realities

11:25 – Advice for founders planning an exit

13:10 – Closing thoughts

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 today's AI-driven market

• How AI impacts diligence, scalability, and valuation

• When founders should raise capital vs. prepare for exit

• What investors believe founders consistently underestimate

Panelists: Brian Mac Mahon, Founder & Managing Partner | Expert DOJO Tanya Marvin-Horowitz, Partner | Butterfly Ventures Gabriela Smith, Co-Founder | LatAmplify Ventures Steve Schlenker, Co-Founder & Managing Partner | DN Capital Tara Zahiri, Vice President | Mainsail Partners

Moderator: Nihat Arkan, Senior Vice President | Corum Group

00:00 – Introduction & panel overview 02:10 – Investor perspectives: what they fund and where 08:45 – How AI is changing investment theses 17:00 – Where AI actually creates value (data, efficiency, moats) 25:00 – Real AI investments: examples and lessons learned 42:00 – Generative AI, margins, and sustainable business models 55:00 – Exit timing, IPO vs M&A, and founder advice

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. Whether you're thinking about selling in a year or in ten, Robin brings clarity to the decisions founders face on the road to a successful exit.

A candid, practical conversation for any founder preparing for life after their exit.

00:00 – Introduction & Donorfy's background 02:00 – Building a SaaS company with an exit in mind 04:10 – Why and when to pursue an M&A exit 07:30 – Choosing the right advisor and buyer 11:00 – Managing secrecy, due diligence, and a false start 16:40 – Non‑negotiables and finding the right strategic buyer 23:30 – Lessons learned and life after the exit

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 from supporting mission-driven founders, and what sectors she's most excited about in 2026 — from women's health to sustainability.

A must-listen for founders and investors who believe doing good and doing well can — and should — coexist.

00:00 – Introduction & Rethink Impact's investment focus 01:25 – Rethink Impact's thesis and example portfolio companies 03:45 – Why tech exits are rising again 05:45 – M&A vs IPOs and today's exit landscape 06:50 – How VCs help founders build exit optionality 09:20 – Impact investing and M&A outcomes 12:10 – Valuation alignment and board dynamics 14:20 – Sectors and technologies shaping the future 17:50 – Final advice for founders planning ahead

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 advice for founders—what buyers really look for, how to position a company for acquisition, and the pitfalls to avoid during negotiations.

Gain firsthand insight into the mindset of an active buyer and learn what it takes to stand out in today's competitive M&A landscape.

00:00 – Introduction & Moonbase Capital's acquisition model 04:55 – Search funds and buying founder‑owned businesses 07:25 – Evaluating tech companies in a fast‑moving market 08:35 – Biggest challenges buyers face in tech acquisitions 10:10 – Deal timelines, sourcing, and avoiding competition 13:15 – Common seller mistakes and deal breakers 18:50 – Post‑acquisition priorities and founder advice