Convertible notes tend to show up early in a company’s life—seed rounds, bridge financing, moments when valuation feels premature. Most founders don’t expect to see them resurface when discussing a strategic acquisition. And yet, they …
Leveraged buyouts sit at the center of modern M&A, yet they’re still widely misunderstood by founders. When most entrepreneurs hear “LBO,” they picture aggressive leverage, financial engineering, and private equity firms squeezing value out of …
Phantom equity rarely shows up in founder exit plans. That’s a mistake. When structured thoughtfully, phantom equity can do far more than retain executives or incentivize managers. It can quietly shape behavior, align outcomes, and—under …
When founders think about exits, they usually think in binaries. You either sell the company—or you don’t. You either cash out—or you keep grinding. Joint ventures live in the uncomfortable middle. And because they don’t …