TechExits Podcast

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

Daniel Ibri | Mindset Ventures | Co-Founder & Managing Partner

We're kicking off the very first Investor's Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast with Daniel Ibri, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mindset Ventures.

Daniel shares his view on the surge in venture-backed tech exits, how today's M&A market compares to past cycles, and the role VCs play in guiding founders through the exit process. He also talks about where most exits are happening—M&A, IPOs, or secondaries—and which sectors excite him most right now.

This debut Investor's Corner is a must-listen for founders, CEOs, and investors who want to understand tech M&A through the eyes of a leading VC.

00:00 – Introduction & Mindset Ventures' investment focus 03:20 – Early‑stage B2B software investing and exit context 04:25 – Why tech M&A activity is picking up again 06:45 – Preparing portfolio companies for acquisition 09:35 – Strategic M&A vs IPOs in today's market 12:05 – Founder–investor misalignment and exit timing 17:05 – Sectors of interest and final advice for founders

Scot Cocanour | Promium | Founder & CEO

What's it like to sell a business after nearly a quarter-century of innovation, leadership, and growth?

In this episode, we speak with Scot Cocanour, founder and CEO of Promium, a specialized software company serving environmental labs. Scot reflects on the decision to sell after 24 years, navigating the M&A process while balancing the needs of his employees, customers, and shareholders.

He discusses the smooth, eight-month journey that exceeded expectations, the importance of timing, and the emotional and strategic elements of letting go. Scot also shares the surprising personal rewards of the sale—including keeping a promise to his wife, traveling, coaching, and even starting a new venture.

This episode is full of grounded wisdom for tech CEOs looking to exit on their own terms—without dropping the ball.

00:00 – Introduction & Promium's background 01:25 – Why Scot decided it was time to sell 02:15 – Choosing Corum and preparing for the process 03:00 – What surprised him most about the M&A journey 03:55 – Balancing owners, employees, and customers 05:00 – Life after the exit and lessons for founders

In this special edition of Tech Exits, we will attempt to answer the questions:

• What do tech investors prioritize when evaluating opportunities?

• What is the impact of AI on investment strategies?

• When should entrepreneurs seek investment versus considering an M&A exit?

This discussion took place during the WFS Flagship Conference, Growth & Exit Strategies: HealthTech on April 3rd, 2025.

The panel lineup includes:

David Gardner, Founding Partner, Cofounders Capital

Daniel O'Mahony, Partner, Seroba Life Sciences

Robbi Allen, General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund

Moderating this panel is David Levine, Regional Managing Director of the Corum Group.

What does it really take to sell a specialized, high-performing company—and survive the emotional rollercoaster along the way?

In this episode, we sit down with James Fair, co-founder of Vetasi, to discuss his firsthand experience navigating the M&A process. With no urgent motivation to sell, James still saw the value in preparing for the future and ultimately chose to pursue an acquisition.

He reflects on what made Vetasi attractive to buyers, the challenge of maintaining company operations while managing the demands of due diligence, and the critical role of trust and communication with internal teams.

James also shares the surprises, missteps, and hard-earned lessons from the deal, offering candid advice for founders considering their own exits. You'll hear why emotional resilience matters, how preparation can make or break a sale, and what life looks like on the other side of the table.

00:00 – Introduction & Vetasi's background 01:40 – Why James decided to pursue an exit 02:25 – What made Vetasi attractive to buyers 04:45 – Communicating with investors and leadership 05:45 – Running the business during due diligence 07:00 – Timing, preparation, and lessons learned 09:55 – Life after the deal and final advice

Steve Wargalla | QStrat | Managing Director

What's the difference between going it alone and having a team of experts behind your M&A process?

Join us as we speak with Steve Wargalla, who engaged the WFS platinum sponsor, the Corum Group, to sell his company, QStrat—a provider of quoting and sourcing software for manufacturers and distributors.

In this episode, Steve reflects on his journey from a first, unstructured exit to a second, highly organized sale with Corum. He shares the lessons learned, the value of working with experienced dealmakers, and why he believes most software CEOs don't fully understand the M&A process—until they've been through it.

You'll hear about the importance of preparation, the impact of a structured approach, and what life looks like after stepping away from the business.

00:00 – Introduction & QStrat background 01:05 – First exit vs structured M&A approach 02:15 – Why preparation and process matter 03:25 – Working with experienced dealmakers 04:35 – Lessons learned from selling with structure 05:30 – Life after the exit and final reflections

In this episode of Points of View, we sit down with Mary Joyce, a serial entrepreneur turned M&A advisor at Corum Group, whose career spans decades of innovation across industries including automotive, medical, aerospace, and AI.

Mary shares how selling her own company without an advisor became a defining moment—one that fueled her transition into tech M&A. With 14 U.S. patents to her name and a deep background in SaaS and embedded systems, she brings a unique perspective to the dealmaking process.

Tune in as we explore what Mary learned from exiting as a founder, how she now guides others through the emotional and strategic complexities of M&A, and why timing, preparation, and the right advisor can make all the difference.

Whether you're a founder, buyer, or fellow dealmaker, this is a rare look into the mind of someone who's been on both sides of the table.

00:00 – Mary Joyce's journey as a founder and operator 05:30 – Her first exit: what went wrong without an advisor 11:45 – From founder to dealmaker: lessons from both sides 18:00 – Advice for founders and why to sell earlier than you think

In this special edition of Tech Exits, we will attempt to answer the questions:

• What motivates entrepreneurs to sell their companies, and how do they navigate the M&A process?

• What challenges do women founders face in securing funding and achieving successful exits?

• How can entrepreneurs balance running a business while preparing for an acquisition?

The panel features women tech entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their companies, sharing their experiences on due diligence, buyer negotiations, and life after the deal. They also discuss the unique hurdles women face in M&A, the role of advisors in achieving the best outcome, and the lessons they learned along the way.

The panel lineup includes:

Courtney Caldwell, MBA – CoFounder & CEO at Shearshare Aušra Čiuplienė Ciupliene – CEO / Board Member at Viena sąskaita Dr. Suhayya (Sue) Abu-Hakima – Co-Founder, President/CEO at Alstari

Moderating this panel is WFS Director Ana Conejo.

00:00 – Introductions and founder backgrounds 03:10 – Why and when these founders chose to sell 11:40 – Navigating the M&A process as women founders 27:40 – Due diligence, advisors, and deal challenges 49:40 – Life after the exit and advice for women founders