CapEQ

What They Don’t Teach You About Selling Your First Startup

Antony Cousins, former CEO of Factmata, takes us through his journey of selling his AI-based social media monitoring platform to Cision Group in 2023.

As a first-time seller, Antony shares:

🔑 First-Time Exit Challenges: Navigating the unknowns of a business sale through research, conversations, and trial-and-error.

📝 The Power of Storytelling: Why crafting a compelling narrative is critical to positioning your business for acquisition.

🏆 Market Validation: Securing a high-profile client as undeniable proof of Factmata’s value.

⏳ Timing the Exit: Recognizing when your company has reached peak value and knowing when to make the move.

If you’re a founder/CEO considering an exit, this clip is packed with quick tips on how to prepare.
Read more: https://hubs.la/Q02_BdVh0

Thinking about selling your business? Business sale experts from CapEQ, Freeths LLP, and Greenbank Investments break down the emotional and financial journey of exiting — so founders can plan ahead with confidence! 💡

Learn how the right team, smart planning, and expert advice can make all the difference.

Life after the business: An honest reflection 🌟

Helen Webster, former MD of prefab building specialists AV Danzer, opens up about the unexpected challenges she encountered after selling the business in 2021.

Her story highlights the emotional and mental complexities of transitioning from a long-term career to a new chapter of life.

Key insights include:

🤕 Recovery takes time: It took Helen over a year to feel "anything like human" again, and 18 months before she was ready to think about her next steps.

🤗 Expectations vs. reality: The idea of jumping into a relaxing and productive lifestyle was quickly replaced by the slower, more challenging process of adjusting to newfound freedom.

💡 Finding purpose: Helen shares her ongoing journey of self-discovery, emphasizing how deeply personal and nonlinear this transition can be.

For anyone considering or navigating life after a significant career milestone, Helen’s story is a relatable and thoughtful reminder to embrace the process and give yourself grace.

👉 Visit our Youtube for more like this: https://hubs.la/Q02Zy0fj0

From vision to success

Mark and Karen Woolley founded Proscribe with a mission to improve research reports and create opportunities for PhD graduates in the APAC region, where career options for scientists were limited. 🌏

In 2014, they decided to sell Proscribe to Envision Pharma Group, expanding the impact of their work globally while maintaining their commitment to quality medical writing.

Discover their inspiring journey and how they brought medical communications to new heights.

Read their full story: https://hubs.la/Q02YTkvV0

Founded by Merv Carroll and Steve Done, EcuTek revolutionised the market by unlocking the Subaru Impreza’s ECU, offering tuners a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to standalone systems. 🔧

With David Power on board, the company scaled rapidly, securing partnerships with leading manufacturers and expanding into new markets. Their cutting-edge software augmented the car tuning industry and paved the way for EcuTek’s acquisition by Promus Equity in 2017.🚀

Learn more about EcuTek’s rise to success https://hubs.la/Q02Zy8J60

"I sold my business...now what?"

Most of us dream of not having to work anymore.
But that's not as easy as it sounds.

V**e boss Matthew Moden of Liberty Flights opens up about the ups and downs of filling the post-sale void.

https://hubs.la/Q02ZybJn0

After selling his offshore workforce safety business, EPIC, to MarineGuard in 2021, Ian Traquair reflects on his post-sale journey.

He reveals how his M&A advisor Mark Sapsford encouraged him to move forward without lingering around the business.

Now, Ian shares how he's found fulfilment managing an estate and learning new hobbies, like playing the bagpipes, in his life after the sale.

Learn more about Ian's sale: https://hubs.la/Q02ZvDWc0

Start-up to exit in 10 years?

Founder of cloud CRM Really Simple Systems John Paterson shares how he started early to identify potential .

In 2023, Dutch martech group Spotler bought his business.

https://hubs.la/Q02YcPzN0

Business owners: Are you ready for life after selling your business?

Helen Webster, former MD of AV Danzer, shares her journey of transitioning from an intense business life to newfound freedom after selling the company she ran in 2021.

Her advice for founders preparing for their "what's next":
💡 Plan ahead: Think about your post-sale life before the deal closes.
💡 Engage early: Find hobbies, passions, or causes to dive into after the sale.
💡 Balance the transition: Skip the endless holidays and focus on meaningful pursuits.

A must-watch for anyone planning a business exit and seeking purpose beyond boardroom meetings.

Check out our "life after sale" playlist for more like this: https://hubs.ly/Q03jdrH30

"I sold my business...now what?"

Most of us dream of not having to work anymore.
But that's not as easy as it sounds.

V**e boss Matthew Moden of Liberty Flights opens up about the ups and downs of filling the post-sale void.

https://hubs.la/Q03cX92j0

Whether you want your business to be 10x bigger, double your margins, or refine your value proposition, the best time to make your business ready to sell is when you don't have to.

Business sale expert Doug Edmunds explains why in this clip.

Follow our free roadmap for tips on how to scale up your business for sale:
https://hubs.la/Q03cX82G0