TechExits Podcast

(WFS) World Financial Symposiums
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The TechExits podcast is for Tech CEOs, founders and investors in software and IT. We discuss best practices around Tech M&A; major trends and shifts driving the market; and the trials, tribulations, and victories of those who have successfully exited their tech companies. Guest speakers include CEOs who've sold, Tech M&A experts and advisors, strategic buyers and investors, and tech luminaries. TechExits is produced by World Financial Symposiums (WFS), an international organization dedicated to educating technology leaders on the current tech and financial landscape, helping them build successful strategies for growth and eventual exit. The WFS is sponsored by Corum Group, the Global Leader in Tech M&A, with ex CEOs and founders as advisors, leading the most successful tech M&A process in history. Corum has sold more software and related technology companies than anyone in the world.

  1. 1d ago

    Give Buyers a Reason to Pay for the Future: Special Interview with Leary Gates, Strategic CEO

    Leary Gates | Founder, Strategic CEO   Interviewed by Ron Noden | Senior Vice President, Corum Group   In this special episode, Ron Noden sits down with longtime colleague Leary Gates, a growth specialist with three decades of experience helping technology companies find new paths to growth. They explore why chasing every opportunity can hold a company back, and how focusing on the right market can unlock greater value.   Leary shares client stories, including an IT services company that launched a new brand for two customers and saw it outperform the parent in about 18 months. He explains how to recognize when optimization is no longer enough, why a bold, specific offer gets attention, and why founders preparing to exit should back their growth opportunities with proof, not promises.   Key Takeaways:   Opportunism helps early on, but it erodes over time, so focus on the market with the best odds   Optimizing harder can hit diminishing returns ("summit blindness")   Buyers pay for the future, so show growth opportunities backed by proof   A bold, use-case-specific offer can make your company more compelling to a strategic buyer      00:00 – Introduction: Leary Gates and Ron Noden   01:25 – From Cray Research to 30 years of growth consulting   03:45 – Why opportunism stalls growth and focus pays off   08:50 – Optimization, diminishing returns, and "summit blindness"   12:17 – Selling your product vs. selling your company: proof, not promises   21:53 – Bold offers and the "love it, like it, or list it" paths

    Give Buyers a Reason to Pay for the Future: Special Interview with Leary Gates, Strategic CEO

  2. Oct 2

    Selling Before the Market Catches Up: Seller's Corner with Jose Esteban Biskofski, Algebraix

    Jose Esteban Biskofski | Algebraix | Co-Founder In this Seller's Corner episode, Jose Esteban Biskofski, Co-Founder of Algebraix, shares why he and his co-founder chose to sell their school software and fintech business rather than raise capital to compete with better-funded rivals moving into payments, loans, and factoring.  Jose walks through how an earlier deal that fell through years ago prepared him for the real one, and how a preemptive offer arrived just as they were preparing to go to market. He's candid about what came next: six months of deadline-driven, stressful work, and the one thing he would do differently, which is run due diligence on the buyer too. He also shares what it's like now, adjusting to life inside a younger, faster-growing company where sales and EBITDA are the focus.  Key Takeaways:   A failed deal can be the best preparation for the next one  Expect about six months of deadline-driven work  Diligence should run both ways, so investigate your buyer too  Add accounting support and a strong attorney early, and lock down any earn-out terms  00:00 – Introduction: Jose Esteban Biskofski and Algebraix   01:43 – Finding the right advisor   02:17 – Why sell: from school software to fintech, and choosing security over raising capital   03:10 – An earlier deal that fell through and what it taught them   03:53 – Hindsight: due diligence on the buyer and the preemptive offer   04:56 – Advice for Latin American founders and life after the deal

    Selling Before the Market Catches Up: Seller's Corner with Jose Esteban Biskofski, Algebraix

  3. Sep 7

    From CEO to M&A Advisor: Learning the Hard Way | Points of View with Steve Jones

    Steve Jones | Regional Managing Director, LATAM, Corum Group  What can founders learn from someone who has experienced tech M&A from both sides of the table?  In this Points of View episode of the TechExits Podcast, Steve Jones, Regional Managing Director, LATAM at Corum Group, shares his personal M&A journey, from selling his own technology company to advising founders through more than 40 transactions.  Steve reflects on his first exit as a CEO, what he would do differently today, and why accepting a single buyer can leave founders with little leverage and potentially money on the table.  He also shares lessons from his experience advising companies in Latin America, including how to prepare for an exit, create competitive tension, understand buyer expectations, and build a business with the end goal in mind.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Why having multiple buyers can create leverage and improve outcomes  What Steve learned from selling his own company without an M&A advisor  Why founders should prepare for an exit long before they decide to sell  How understanding the market can help founders negotiate from a position of strength

    From CEO to M&A Advisor: Learning the Hard Way | Points of View with Steve Jones

  4. Aug 7

    LATAM Investors Panel: What Global Investors Want from Founders | TechExits Podcast

    What does it take to attract global investors in Latin America's rapidly evolving tech ecosystem?  In this special TechExits Podcast episode, we bring you the Investors Panel from Growth & Exit Strategies: LATAM Tech, originally broadcast on March 18, 2026.  Five leading venture capital investors discuss what they're looking for in founders, where they're deploying capital across Latin America, and how entrepreneurs can build companies that are attractive to both investors and future acquirers.  The discussion covers fundraising strategy, AI, capital efficiency, venture capital versus M&A, and the common mistakes founders make when preparing for growth.  Panelists  • Alejandro Diez Barroso, Managing Partner | DILA Capital  • Jorge González Gasque, Managing Partner | G2 Momentum Capital  • Rodolfo Elias Dieck, Managing Partner | Proeza Ventures  • Felipe Camposano, Managing Partner | Taram Capital  • Rodrigo Baer, Co-Founder & Managing Partner | 14B Venture Capital  Moderator  Michael Stinson, Senior Vice President | Corum Group  Key Takeaways  • Why global investors continue to see opportunity across Latin America  • What separates fundable founders from the rest  • Common fundraising mistakes that dilute long-term value  • When venture capital makes sense and when M&A may be the better path

    LATAM Investors Panel: What Global Investors Want from Founders | TechExits Podcast

  5. Jul 1

    Beyond the Deal: How Buyers Evaluate Companies | Buyers Corner with Michael Magliochetti

    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

    Beyond the Deal: How Buyers Evaluate Companies | Buyers Corner with Michael Magliochetti

  6. Jun 5

    Why Customer Growth Beats Investor Hype – Investor's Corner with Brian Mac Mahon, Expert Dojo

    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

    Why Customer Growth Beats Investor Hype – Investor's Corner with Brian Mac Mahon, Expert Dojo

  7. May 7

    How Buyers Think Beyond the Acquisition – Buyer's Corner with Don Penland, Knox Capital

    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

    How Buyers Think Beyond the Acquisition – Buyer's Corner with Don Penland, Knox Capital

  8. Apr 9

    Building Value Before the Exit: Seller's Corner with Mark Nardone, Blue Cow Software

    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

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

The TechExits podcast is for Tech CEOs, founders and investors in software and IT. We discuss best practices around Tech M&A; major trends and shifts driving the market; and the trials, tribulations, and victories of those who have successfully exited their tech companies. Guest speakers include CEOs who've sold, Tech M&A experts and advisors, strategic buyers and investors, and tech luminaries. TechExits is produced by World Financial Symposiums (WFS), an international organization dedicated to educating technology leaders on the current tech and financial landscape, helping them build successful strategies for growth and eventual exit. The WFS is sponsored by Corum Group, the Global Leader in Tech M&A, with ex CEOs and founders as advisors, leading the most successful tech M&A process in history. Corum has sold more software and related technology companies than anyone in the world.

Information

  • Creator
    (WFS) World Financial Symposiums
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    TechExits Podcast