logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
31m 39s

Backlash of Exits

Step
About this episode

Do you ever wonder about the emotional journey entrepreneurs go through after an exit? Join Khaled Talhouni of Nuwa Capital, Ali Halabi of Voltlines, Ziyaad Ahmed of Spotii, and Tammer Qaddumi of VentureSouq as they explore the emotional changes, post-exit depression, and the pendulum swings that founders experience as well as the relief of paying back investors, the potential pitfalls of going public, and valuable advice on protecting oneself during an acquisition.

Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/

Subscribe now to the Step Feed newsletter for a daily roundup of the top tech & business news https://subscribe.stepfeed.com/

_____________________

HIGHLIGHTS

2:14 The Emotional Journey of Joining a Larger Business

8:05 Riding the positives and the negatives

10:53 Five things to look out for in exits

14:06 What went wrong with SWVL's acquisition

18:52 Protecting Your Business

21:42 Acquisition Gone Wrong: Volt Lines Story

_____________________

QUOTES

"Exits are the end goal of every entrepreneurial journey, and that's half of the point of building a great company."

"The emotional change that the founder goes through when getting acquired is like moving back in with your parents."

"Most entrepreneurs fall for the mistake of getting connected and becoming one with their startup."

"Some days you feel like you're on top of the world, some days you just don't want to get out of bed."

"You go from being the master of your own destiny to a quarterly report, writing memos, and dealing with a chain of command."

"The experience of an exit is not a binary shift from controlling your own destiny to being an employee, but rather a spectrum of autonomy."

"Taking a company public prematurely can be a mistake if the business is not ready in terms of size and maturity."

"The share price and market caps of the acquiring company can impact the perceived success of an exit."

"Always think about the worst-case scenario. Only the paranoid survive."

_____________________

If you’re enjoying this podcast, please subscribe to Step Podcast and leave us a review!

Spotify → https://spoti.fi/3LIG8wj

Apple Podcasts → https://apple.co/3PxIXU5

Anghami → https://bit.ly/3lDKxG4

Up next
Dec 2024
Keynote by Reid Hoffman's Blitzscaling Co-Author: Chris Yeh
Blitzscaling strategies are reshaping how startups grow and dominate markets, with rapid growth prioritized over efficiency to win. Chris Yeh of Blitzscaling Ventures delves into the principles of blitzscaling and its synergy with AI, offering insights on seizing market opportuni ... Show More
24m 3s
Nov 2024
Navigating the AI Investment Landscape
The AI investment landscape is rapidly evolving, with groundbreaking innovations and challenges emerging at every turn. Arif Hilaly of Bain Capital Ventures, Calvin Chin of E14 Fund, Bilal Zuberi of Lux Capital, John Chu of Khosla Ventures, and Lisa of 99 VC discuss trends, valua ... Show More
46m 58s
Sep 2024
Navigating the AI Landscape
Jeremiah Owyang, General Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, delivered a comprehensive overview of the current AI landscape. He introduced the AI tech stack, explaining its layers from data to applications and agents.  Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/Subscribe no ... Show More
18m 47s
Recommended Podcasts
Maté Conversations
Step
احمد عامر: السيرة النبوية
Ahmed Amer
اذكار الصباح والمساء
MESHARI ALENEZI
Kalam mn Lahb
Trend Media Stage
#ABtalks
ANAS BUKHASH
anything goes with emma chamberlain
Emma Chamberlain
Rain Sounds
Sleepy Sound
TED Talks Daily
TED
بودكاست أبجورة
Podcast Abajoura
Rotten Mango
STEPHANIE SOO