Startup CEO Succession

Real stories of CEO succession in VC-backed startups
  • 0.0 (0)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real stories from founder CEOs who stepped down, professional CEOs who took over from them and VCs who saw the process from the inside. substack.evgeny.coach

  1. 2025-05-28

    E22 — Do's and Don'ts of CEO Succession with Nic Brisbourne

    Nic Brisbourne, senior partner at Molten Ventures, and Evgeny Shadchnev talk about their experiences with CEO transitions in startups. They discuss the complexities and risks involved in changing a CEO in a VC-backed business, sharing personal stories and lessons learned from their decade-long professional relationship. 00:00 Introduction 02:14 How Not To Force Out a CEO 09:12 The Risks Of Removing a CEO 10:52 Selecting the Right Successor 14:59 We'll Invest If You Step Down 19:58 CEO Transition at Makers 27:05 Key Factors for a Successful Transition 32:00 How To Start Discussing a CEO Succession 39:42 CEO Performance vs Company Performance 41:25 Advice for Founders and Investors 49:01 Final Reflections Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    51 min
  2. E21 — What Matters Is Love with Jerry Colonna

    2025-04-30

    E21 — What Matters Is Love with Jerry Colonna

    Jerry Colonna changed my life as a leader. I first met Jerry at his CEO Bootcamp in the Colorado Rockies in 2015. As a newly minted CEO, I joined a small group of founders hosted by Jerry and his team on a stunning ranch. It was my first coaching experience. Those five days profoundly shifted my trajectory as a leader. It's difficult to capture exactly what happened there, but I began learning how to lead from the heart, not just the head. Jerry and I became friends. His books, Reboot and Reunion, have deeply touched me and many of my friends. When I stepped down as CEO of Makers in 2020, I chose to train as a founder coach myself, inspired by his impact. Later, Jerry generously wrote the foreword to my book, Startup CEO Succession, sharing reflections from our journey together. In this special conversation, we explore CEO successions, why pursuing wholeness matters more than chasing happiness, and why inner work is a lifelong adventure. Enjoy the episode! Timestamps (Clickable on Youtube) 00:00 Introduction 02:32 Over-Identification with Work 07:23 True Self and False Self 15:00 This Suffering is Avoidable 27:28 "I'm 61. It took 60 years, you know?" 33:59 Wisdom Practices 40:04 Love, Safety and Belonging 48:22 Letting Go vs Giving Up 53:10 Standing Still When Your Hair Is On Fire 56:14 Challenges That Are Not Ours To Face 01:00:25 Successful CEO Transitions 01:09:07 Final Reflections This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    1h 10m
  3. E20 — Six Exits in 30 Years with Matt Colebourne

    2025-04-23

    E20 — Six Exits in 30 Years with Matt Colebourne

    Matt Colebourne, a seasoned entrepreneur and professional CEO with over 30 years of experience, joins Evgeny to discuss the critical decision founders face about whether to continue leading their business or bring in new leadership. Matt shares his journey, which includes starting and selling an AI company in the mid-nineties and turning around and exiting five other companies since. Their conversation covers the importance of self-awareness and soft skills in leadership, practical challenges in growing and scaling technology businesses, and the nuanced decisions around CEO succession and leadership transitions.  00:00 Introduction 01:53 Matt Colebourne's Career Journey 07:07 Replacing Founder CEO at Searchmetrics 17:06 Stepping Down vs Compensating for Weaknesses 22:36 Transforming Searchmetrics 26:52 Product Features vs Customer Needs 32:47 Turning around Qwist Group 39:34 Advice for Founders, CEOs and Investors 53:53 Final Reflections Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    55 min
  4. E19 — From Corporate Giants to Startups with Judit Petho

    2025-04-16

    E19 — From Corporate Giants to Startups with Judit Petho

    Judit Petho, a seasoned executive with a multifaceted career spanning roles as a lawyer, global CEO, and startup leader, joins Evgeny to discuss her journey from corporate law to leading one of the world's largest consultancy firms, and then to turning around and scaling startups. She emphasises the importance of adaptability, understanding business resources and people management at different levels of company scale. Judith shares insights on the critical role of soft skills in leadership, the challenges of managing investor relations and transformation projects, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in remote and hybrid work environments.  00:00 Introduction 01:05 Judit's Professional Background 09:32 Fixed vs Beginner's Mindset 15:01 CEO: Same Title, Three Different Jobs 18:17 Role of a COO 24:03 The Job of a CEO 34:10 The Importance of Soft Skills 44:11 The Importance of Listening 47:17 Building Soft Skills in a Hybrid World 58:34 Final Reflections Find Judit Petho at juditpetho.com. Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    1 hr
  5. E18 — An Exit is an Exit with Dhruv Ghulati

    2025-03-19

    E18 — An Exit is an Exit with Dhruv Ghulati

    Dhruv Ghulati, founder and former CEO of Factmata, a startup focused on tackling misinformation using AI, shares his in-depth journey from founding the company to stepping down as CEO. We discuss incentivising early-stage team members, the challenges faced by solo founders, and the critical moments of product pivots and funding struggles. Dhruv also talks about his decision to hire a successor CEO, leading to the eventual acquisition of Factmata, and reflects on his transition from startup life to roles in larger companies like Onfido and Uber. 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Factmata's Early Days 05:14 Equity for Early Team Members 10:45 Fundraising for a Pivot 20:15 Fundraising as a Solo Founder 24:21 Delegating to the Team 30:41 Constant Fundraising 36:59 Finding a Replacement CEO 38:56 The Second Attempt to Hire a CEO 44:05 Next Steps After Factmata 46:16 Preparing for Acquisition 52:54 Post-Exit Reflections and Career Transition 01:02:42 Final Reflections Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    1h 4m

  6. 2025-02-26

    E17 — From £5M to £90M in Five Years with Neal Gandhi

    Evgeny Shadchnev interviews Neal Gandhi, founder and ex-CEO of TPXimpact. Gandhi shares his journey of leading TPXimpact from a small Bulgarian company to a public entity with £90 million in revenue in just five years. The discussion covers the challenges of hyper growth, the importance of planning for extreme success, and the complexities of CEO succession. Gandhi reflects on the strategic decisions, the role of self-awareness, and the importance of building a strong senior management team to complement a founder's strengths. 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Neal Gandhi's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:36 Stepping Down as CEO 09:17 Navigating the CEO Transition 14:35 Running a Business in Hyper-Growth Mode 16:57 "Honestly, It Was a Surprise" 22:49 Choosing a Successor 25:54 Do CEOs Have to Step Down? 28:52 What Could Have Gone Differently? 38:47 Transition to New Leadership 41:50 Next Steps 45:18 Advice for Founders and CEOs 50:14 Advice for Boards 55:28 Public vs. Private Company CEO Succession 58:48 Final Reflections Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    1h 4m

  7. 2025-01-15

    E16 — A Life-Changing Sabbatical with James McAulay

    James McAulay, founder of Encore, a marketplace for booking live music bands and Evgeny Shadchnev discuss James’ journey of leaving the business. James shares his transformative experience of taking a two-month sabbatical that helped him overcome burnout, successfully sell his company, and promote an insider to lead it. Now poised to join ElevenLabs, a leading AI company, James delves into his personal journey of meditation, running, and mental wellness. 00:00 Introduction 02:13 The Journey of Encore 05:16 Startup Challenges and Burnout 07:03 The Sabbatical Decision 12:13 Preparing for Succession 18:43 Returning to Encore 23:52 Meditation and Mindfulness 32:43 The Power of Running 35:10 Choosing to Step Away from Encore 40:43 Choosing the Next Step 44:51 Joining Eleven Labs 51:40 Advice for Founders 58:14 Final Reflections The blog post about running that was mentioned: https://jamesmcaulay.co.uk/running-with-spirit/  Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    1 hr

  8. 2025-01-08

    E15 — Graceful CEO Succession with Maria Josife

    Evgeny Shadchnev discusses the complex journey of CEO transitions in venture-backed startups with Maria Josife, a partner at the executive search firm Erevena. They delve into the triggers for considering a CEO change, how to approach the process strategically, and the importance of starting conversations early. 00:00 Introduction 01:32 About Erevena 04:15 The Complexities of CEO Succession in Venture-Backed Startups 08:50 Replacing vs Augmenting a Founder CEO 11:01 Starting the Conversation Early 16:19 The Timeline and Process for a Smooth CEO Transition 22:41 The Role of Coaches, Chairs, and Non-Execs in CEO Succession 26:17 Hire Right to Remain as CEO 33:50 The Drivers of Success of CEO Change 37:17 The Risks of Hiring with Intent to Promote to CEO 39:58 First-time CEOs vs Experienced CEOs 42:14 Insiders vs Outsiders 44:12 What Happens to Founder CEOs After They Step Down 47:36 Advice for Founders And Investors 56:38 Key Takeaways Learn more about Evgeny's work as a CEO coach: https://www.evgeny.coach Startup CEO Succession: a Founder's Guide to Leadership Transition is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1HLZTR  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit substack.evgeny.coach

    58 min
See All (23)

About

Real stories from founder CEOs who stepped down, professional CEOs who took over from them and VCs who saw the process from the inside. substack.evgeny.coach

Information

  • Creator
    Real stories of CEO succession in VC-backed startups
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evgeny Shadchnev
  • Show Website
    Startup CEO Succession