Earnouts are one of the most misunderstood components of private equity deals. On paper, they look simple: hit certain performance targets, receive additional compensation. In practice, they are nuanced, risk-sensitive, and deeply influenced by post-close …
When you sell to private equity, your board stops being symbolic. It becomes operational. For many founder-led companies, the board before a transaction is informal, advisory, or lightly engaged. After a PE deal, governance becomes …
One of the biggest misconceptions about selling to private equity is that founders walk away. In many cases, they don’t. In fact, private equity firms often prefer that founders stay on—at least for a period …
When founders think about selling to private equity, they usually picture the deal team. The partners.The principals.The investment committee. What many don’t anticipate is the portfolio operations team. If you stay involved after closing, chances …
The first time a private equity term sheet lands in your inbox, it feels like progress. It’s validation. Momentum. A tangible step toward liquidity. But a term sheet is not a finish line. It’s the …
When founders think about selling to private equity, most focus on one number: Purchase price. But compensation in a PE deal is rarely that simple. Private equity transactions are structured. Layered. Incentive-driven. They’re designed to …
When private equity firms request a management presentation, it’s not a formality. It’s a test. Not a theatrical one. Not a pitch competition. But a structured evaluation of leadership, clarity, and conviction. Founders sometimes assume …
Private equity diligence is not casual. It is structured, layered, and relentless by design. Founders often assume that once a letter of intent is signed, the hardest part is behind them. In reality, signing the …
The first time a private equity firm reaches out, it feels validating. An email from a partner. A warm introduction through a banker. A note saying they’ve been following your company and would love to …
When a private equity firm buys your company, the clock starts ticking. Not loudly. Not publicly. But structurally, undeniably, and predictably. Every private equity investment exists within a defined fund lifecycle. That lifecycle drives behavior, …