The Path to Exit

Vista Point Advisors
  • 5.0 (14)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Learn what software and technology founders needs to know as they grow their business towards an eventual M&A transaction. In this podcast, Mike Lyon from Vista Point Advisors chats with tech founders and the VPA team to address questions like: - What is the process for selling a software or internet business? - What drives the valuation of a SaaS business? - What are my different transactions options? - And more. Subscribe to listen to new episodes released monthly. About VPAVista Point Advisors is a founder-focused investment bank that advises software & internet founders through M&A and capital raise transactions. We are a fully unconflicted investment bank who only works for founders on the sell-side, so you know that we’re always representing your interests. If you have any questions about the process of selling your business or raising capital, reach out to a member of our team. Or check out the For Founders section of our site by visiting https://vistapointadvisors.com/for-founders.

  1. FEB 17

    37 | Why Retention Is Now Driving Software Company Valuations

    Retention is becoming an increasingly important factor in how software companies are valued, and many founders are not prepared for the level of scrutiny buyers are applying to these metrics. In this episode, managing director Mike Lyon and senior associate Sarabeth Sandweiss explain why retention has become a key valuation driver, how investors evaluate it, where founders often get the math wrong, and how they can help avoid diligence surprises while positioning your company for a stronger outcome. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    17 min

  2. JAN 13

    36 | 2026 Software M&A Outlook: Valuations, Buyers, and What’s Changed

    Software founders planning to exit or raise capital in 2026 need a clear read on where M&A is heading after a volatile few years. In this episode, Vista Point Advisors Managing Directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons unpack the most important 2025 trends and what founders could expect in 2026. From buyer behaviors to changes in vertical SaaS valuations, they offer a view of the market dynamics that can help software founders better understand their exit timing, deal structure, and negotiating leverage. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    19 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    35 | Pitfalls to Avoid on the Path to an Exit (with Goldman Sachs)

    Many founders wait for the “perfect moment” to sell or fixate on hitting a specific valuation target, but both can lead to missed opportunities. In this episode, Sarah Letourneau from Goldman Sachs joins Mike Lyon to discuss the most common mistakes they see founders make on the path to an exit; from waiting too long to run a process, to anchoring on a headline number, to assembling the wrong deal team. They share how to plan ahead, build the right advisors around you, and make informed decisions that support both your transaction and your life after the deal. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    18 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    34 | Assembling Your Software M&A Dream Team

    Software founders often underestimate who needs to be involved to successfully sell their business or raise capital, and how much value the right team can add. In this episode, Managing Directors Mike Lyon and Mike Greco walk through the key people founders should have on their side, and how assembling the right team early can make the entire transaction smoother and more successful. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    17 min

  5. 10/14/2025

    33 | The Do's & Don'ts of Hiring an Investment Bank When Selling Your Business

    When founders set out to sell their business, many underestimate how important it is to choose the right investment bank, and how costly it can be to get it wrong. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Miles Lacey break down what founders should and shouldn’t do when evaluating banks, negotiating fees, and determining the best time to hire, so you can run a competitive process and achieve a better outcome. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    20 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    32 | How to Navigate Exclusivity with Buyers & Investors

    When founders lack experience in selling a business, they’ll often accept what buyers lead with, especially the demand for an exclusivity period. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Bean break down why buyers push for exclusivity, the real motivations behind their request, and how to navigate the conversation in a way that preserves your leverage throughout the negotiation. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    18 min

  7. 08/19/2025

    31 | The Hidden Risks of Minority Investments for SaaS Founders

    SaaS founders often lean toward pursuing a minority deal when looking to raise capital because they believe it means they can maintain control of the business and take advantage of current growth and future upside in their equity ownership, but it’s not that simple. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Scott Austin unpack the common misconceptions founders have about minority deals, why they often come with more strings attached than expected, and how founders can help set themselves up for a better eventual exit. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    18 min

  8. 07/15/2025

    30 | How to Help Prevent a Retrade When Selling Your Business

    Retrades are when a buyer or investor tries to renegotiate the valuation price or key terms after a deal is agreed—and it’s always to the founder’s disadvantage. It’s one of the most frustrating risks in M&A, often surfacing late in the process, when founders have already invested significant time, energy, and focus into a buyer. In this episode, Managing Directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons break down why retrades happen, what they look like in practice, and most importantly, how founders can help guard against them. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entrepreneurs of growing businesses to help them understand their options in the marketplace so they can maximize business value, leverage their options, and realize their ideal outcomes. Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.

    28 min
See All (37)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Learn what software and technology founders needs to know as they grow their business towards an eventual M&A transaction. In this podcast, Mike Lyon from Vista Point Advisors chats with tech founders and the VPA team to address questions like: - What is the process for selling a software or internet business? - What drives the valuation of a SaaS business? - What are my different transactions options? - And more. Subscribe to listen to new episodes released monthly. About VPAVista Point Advisors is a founder-focused investment bank that advises software & internet founders through M&A and capital raise transactions. We are a fully unconflicted investment bank who only works for founders on the sell-side, so you know that we’re always representing your interests. If you have any questions about the process of selling your business or raising capital, reach out to a member of our team. Or check out the For Founders section of our site by visiting https://vistapointadvisors.com/for-founders.

Information

  • Creator
    Vista Point Advisors
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Path to Exit
  • Show Website
    The Path to Exit

You Might Also Like