The Big Exit Show

Welcome back to The Big Exit Show! I'm Johan, and with me is Anke, and today, we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurial grit and personal triumph with our guest, Gerrit. From his days as a Royal Marine to the challenging world of banking, Gerrit's story is a compelling tale of transition, embodying resilience and determination.

In this special episode, we uncover the inception of Appical, Gerrit's brainchild, borne from his marine experience and onto the demanding tech landscape. We'll explore how his unique approach to customer relationships and financing helped scale the company and navigate international expansion.

Gerrit doesn't shy away from discussing the tougher times—raising funds, surmounting cultural shifts, co-founder dynamics, and the mental toll it took on him. We'll delve into the lessons learned from the stressful and hostile environment that led to his difficult exit from the company he passionately built.

Post-exit, Gerrit faced an intense period of recovery, choosing personal well-being over legal battles. Now, living life on his terms, he imparts those hard-earned insights, revealing the gift within the challenge—finding growth in struggle.

For startup founders, Gerrit's story offers valuable guidance on adding value, smart hiring, and charting your path with a mindfulness toward the dynamics of your team and potential future exits. So buckle up for a truly enlightening journey as Gerrit shares the roller coaster ride that has now transitioned into teaching and consulting, shaping his profound message for entrepreneurs everywhere. Stay tuned, and let's learn how to navigate the complexities of building and exiting a company, the Gerrit way.

 We will talk about: 

• 00:00 Grit and resilience crucial for successful founders.
• 05:21 Military induction, transformation, completion, reevaluation, departure decision.
• 09:45 Founding mobile learning app despite investment business.
• 13:37 Working with big brands, intense meetings frustration.
• 17:31 Received letter about shareholder meeting, solved problem.
• 21:45 Close customer relationship, upfront payment, cash flow.
• 23:42 Transition from Harriet to Hank, building relationships.
• 28:53 International expansion required customer and product scalability.
• 33:11 Seeking market leadership, secured funding, expanded into Europe.
• 35:38 Unfavorable work environment led to colleague's exit.
• 39:27 Exit from company, loss of control, burnout.
• 43:32 Prepare for exit while building your business.
• 46:09 Chose to exit legal battle, faced consequences.
• 52:03 "Adding value, hire right, create roadmap, coach."
• 55:41 Entrepreneur's personal story, struggles, and leadership reflection.

Get to know Gerrit better:
Born and raised in Bolsworth within a Frisian community, Gerrit harbored an unwavering aspiration from a young age to join the Royal Marines. And now  a business builder and a team enabler. He is an active interim manager for tech startups and scaleups and as an interim HR specialist for employee onboarding & retention. Furthermore, he specialised in data analytics to support data-driven initiatives in the candidate & employee journey.
Want to have contact with Gerrit you can do that through his LinkedIn
This is his book

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.

Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode from "The Big Exit Show" we have the privilege of speaking with Marcus Laube, a true paragon of business acumen and perseverance. His is a journey from salvaging a company on the brink of collapse to steering it towards a prosperous and strategic acquisition.
Marcus' story begins with a bold decision to buy out a bankrupt company, armed only with resourcefulness and an unwavering conviction in the obsolescence of paper invoices. From the modest initial financing through the sale of second-hand furniture to its impressive turnaround and Nordic acquisition, Marcus's tenure laid the groundwork for a new venture, conceived in the shadow of the financial downturn and subsequent market adversities.

We explore the network effect that was integral to the company's success, weaving a tale of how connecting a multitude of smaller suppliers catapulted to significant business growth. Beyond business strategies and financial details, we delve into the personal dimensions of Marcus’s experiences. Navigating the complexities of business relationships that bleed into personal interactions, handling the emotional weight of parting with a business nurtured for 25 years, and the strategic contemplation that led to Marcus’s final exit.

We invite you into this comprehensive discussion that celebrates entrepreneurial victory and confronts the arduous challenges and profound emotional investment that come with a life dedicated to innovation and leadership. Thank you for joining us on The Big Exit show, where we navigate the complexities of exits, transitions, and the sheer grit it takes to make it to the top in the tech industry. Let's begin.

We will talk about:

• 00:00 Obsession with market timing leads to success.
• 04:33 Pioneered electronic invoicing before it was common.
• 07:22 Investment refusal led to personal buyout and restart.
• 11:37 Market advanced, early days for e-invoicing, challenges.
• 15:16 Financial crisis drove e-invoicing with large buyers.
• 18:24 Focus on large buyers, diverse portfolio gained. Missed geographic expansion opportunity.
• 20:49 Seeking long-term investors, avoiding reliance on venture capital.
• 24:50 Board of directors, friends and family, crucial.
• 27:46 Reflection on age, investment, and business decision.
• 31:51 Detailed discussions and due diligence were exhausting.
• 34:31 Realizing the need to let go. Massive company transition with uncertainty for employees.
• 37:37 Minimal celebration, focused on work and family.
• 39:25 Transition from CEO to management, positive cooperation.
• 43:46 Discussed multiple aspects of geographical leadership challenges.
• 46:11 Impressed by Mark's resilient entrepreneurial journey

Get to know Marcus better:
Marcus is an entrepreneurial pioneer who had the foresight to delve into the digital realm just as the internet was blossoming. His journey began shortly after his studies, when he secured his first job at Lufthansa in the late 1990s. Fascinated by the new technological frontier, Marcus contemplated the potential uses of the burgeoning World Wide Web for established companies like Lufthansa. This early experience sowed the seeds for his first venture, Seals, an invoicing company he launched in 1999, right at the dawn of the internet era. With this initial foray, Marcus positioned himself at the forefront of internet-based business solutions, showcasing his innovative spirit and his knack for recognizing and capitalizing on emerging technologies.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.

Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In today's episode, we're delving into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Robin van Lieshout, the founder who recently led his company Insided to a monumental acquisition by Gainsight.

In this intimate conversation, Robin opens up about the highs and lows that come with building a successful business from its online consumer electronics origins to a community software leader netting 100 million ARR in 2022. Listen in as he shares the ups and downs of partnering with a friend, the emotional impact of downsizing his team, and the strategic moves that substantially increased his company's valuation.

We're also tackling the personal side of selling a business. Robin reflects on his quest for meaning and purpose post-acquisition, the significance of creating a network of peers for support, and the influence of company culture on a successful team dynamic. Get an inside look at what it takes to navigate the challenges of international expansion and hear Robin's candid take on the decision-making process that eventually led to Gainsight's purchase offer.

Learn about the considerations that outweighed even high valuation term sheets, and discover why Robin made the tough choice to prioritize stability and strategic alignment over greater financial incentives. Robin also imparts wisdom on the value of external perspectives and the role they played in his company's pivotal moments.

So, tune in as we explore these insights and more with our exceptional guest, Robin van Lieshout, on this episode of The Big Exit Show. Whether you're a founder, investor, or merely intrigued by the art of the exit, today's conversation is sure to enlighten. Stay with us, as we uncover the complexity and victories within the ultimate entrepreneur's rite of passage—the big exit.

• 06:41 Starting a company with close friends.
• 11:21 Invested in culture and team dynamics from start.
• 16:17 Changed my perspective on board meetings positively.
• 21:19 Balancing ambition with honesty and realism is crucial.
• 28:42 Struggles as a CEO, seeking external perspective.
• 32:39 Organization crashed due to selling to many segments.
• 39:08 Flew to London for 20-minute vision presentation.
• 46:55 Disagreement over currency reporting, causing nerve-wracking delay.
• 52:04 Considering selling company to unknown brand name.
• 57:50 Assumptions about customer base and revenue growth.
• 01:02:30 Quiet office celebration for pending acquisition announcement.
• 01:07:42 Considering future roles and potential time off. 

Getting to know Robin van Lieshout:
Robin is an Entrepreneur, Investor, Strategist and Community Builder. He founded and sold two companies, most recently inSided, a SaaS platform for technology companies to build their own Community. He raised $7M in funding, scaled to 100+ employees worldwide and eventually sold to San Francisco based Customer Success leader Gainsight.
Robin currently acts as the Chief Strategy Officer at Gainsight, where he is responsible for several product lines, new market development, long term corporate strategy and M&A. He recently did his first $50M+ acquisition and has the experience of being on both sides of the table. In his free time he is an advisor and investor in many startups, large VC/PE funds and in family time.

You could find Robin's book: Customer communities here.

Thanks for joining us on The Big Exit Show! If you liked our chat with Robin van Lieshout, please follow us on your podcast platform of choice to stay updated with our latest episodes.

We'd also really appreciate if you could leave us a review. Your ratings and feedback help us reach more listeners and keep delivering the content you love.

Catch you on the next episode for more incredible exit stories!

On this episode of The Big Exit Show, hosts Johan and Anke sit down with Patrick Löffler, the former snowboarder and entrepreneur behind the successful credit card company Givve. They explore Patrick’s unique journey from bankruptcy to building a company that prioritized digital work culture and employee well-being. Listen in as this episode discusses the following:

• Givve's strategic pivot
• The complexities of the acquisition process
• The crucial role of workplace culture in choosing an acquisition partner
• And Patrick's personal takeaways from the exit experience

All wrapped up with insights on the true cost and rewards of entrepreneurship. It's a tell-all episode packed with lessons on innovation, perseverance, and the art of a graceful exit.

More about Patrick:
Patrick launched GIvve in 2010 as a company selling universal gift vouchers. Initially targeting consumers (B2C), the business saw limited success. Recognizing the need to adapt, Patrick strategically shifted GIvve's focus to a business-to-business (B2B) model. Capitalizing on country-specific tax incentives, such as Germany's €50 per employee tax-exempt benefit, GIvve now supplies prepaid credit cards for companies to offer as tax-free perks to employees. Patrick's leadership and agility have made GIvve a key player in providing practical financial solutions that fit seamlessly into an employee's daily essentials—right next to their keys and phone.
What to learn more about Patrick, check this out
givve® » Ihr erfahrener Partner für starke Benefits

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.

Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

We kick off this new season with not only new guests but also a new co-host, Anke Huiskes. A startup operator and angel investor building NP-Hard Ventures, an early-stage VC fund investing in product-obsessed founders, creating the building blocks of tomorrow. 

In this episode Rudo and Esther shed light on Th3rd's innovative journey. Starting with the creation of the website Human Alloy, which generated high-quality 3D models that attracted big brands like Adidas and Nike. As 3D models and augmented reality gained popularity, Th3rd shifted their focus to creating digital 3D models of products for marketing purposes. Brands were seeking a full surface solution, which initially posed a challenge for Th3rd.

The journey to the acquisition was not without its share of setbacks and nerve-wracking moments. Join our hosts and guests as they reveal the stress and challenges faced leading up to the deal, including the loss of assignments and the impact of the pandemic. They reflect on the significance of signing the contract and the gradual release of stress that followed. 

The acquisition has brought both excitement and pride to Th3rd's team as they become one of the standards for 3D asset creation worldwide. Discover how having a big company like Snapchat as a backer gives them confidence and simplifies working with prominent brands.

Want to know more about our guest?

Rudo Bisschop
Esther Bisschop
Th3rd

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The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.

Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Big Exit Show we talk to Hendrik Witt of Ubimax. Witt sold his augmented reality solution to Teamviewer in 2020. A story with many valuable lessons: 

• How to bootstrap your startup, by doing consulting on the side
• Successfully working together with the innovation department of big corporations
• The importance of momentum and why you need to close a deal as soon as possible

In The Big Exit Show our hosts Johan van Mil and Remy Gieling talk to tech entrepreneurs about scaling their companies and the lessons and pitfalls of a successful exit.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak. Peak invests in early-stage SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies ran by kick-ass teams. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website or send us a message! Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Big Exit Show we talk to serial entrepreneur Hannes Klöpper. Hannes is currently building a new company called HelloBetter, but sold his previous company that specialized in Massive Online Open Courses - Iversity - in 2017 to Springer Nature. It wasn't the exit you hope for as a founder when starting a company, but nonetheless a story with many valuable lessens: 

• The challenges when building a company with large education institutions as a customer
• When you know it might be the right time to hand over the company
• Why you should make an exit, even if the forecast of the company isn't looking too bright

In The Big Exit Show our hosts Johan van Mil and Remy Gieling talk to tech entrepreneurs about scaling their companies and the lessons and pitfalls of a successful exit.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak. Peak invests in early-stage SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies ran by kick-ass teams. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website or send us a message! Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Big Exit Show we talk to Olaf Molenveld who sold his scaleup Vamp to one of the world's most popular CI/CD platforms - CircleCI. You will learn: 

• When to pivot your initial business idea
• How serendipity works, even when exiting a company
• What to do when you found a dream partnership for your company

In The Big Exit Show our hosts Johan van Mil and Remy Gieling talk to tech entrepreneurs about scaling their companies and the lessons and pitfalls of a successful exit.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak. Peak invests in early-stage SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies ran by kick-ass teams. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website or send us a message! Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Big Exit Show we talk to Stian Rustad who founded the Norwegian ERP cloud solution 24SevenOffice in 1997. Rustad, who currently lives with his family in Bali, took his company public twice. You will learn: 

• How to take a SaaS-scaleup public to the stock exchange to raise funds
• How to choose the right exchange
• When to hire a full time ceo, so a founder can focus on other tasks such as internationalisation

In The Big Exit Show our hosts Johan van Mil and Remy Gieling talk to tech entrepreneurs about scaling their companies and the lessons and pitfalls of a successful exit.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak. Peak invests in early-stage SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies ran by kick-ass teams. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website or send us a message! Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Big Exit Show we talk to Henk Jan Bijmolt who founded the webshop Gadero that specializes in large wooden objects such as fences for gardens. You will learn: 

• What to do if you get into an argument with your co-founder (in the case: your brother)
• How to balance new ideas you might have while also running a company
• Why you should keep a 1% stake in the company even after you exit

In The Big Exit Show our hosts Johan van Mil and Remy Gieling talk to tech entrepreneurs about scaling their companies and the lessons and pitfalls of a successful exit.

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak. Peak invests in early-stage SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies ran by kick-ass teams. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website or send us a message! Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected].