Exit Path

How to Win the Startup End Game

By: Touraj Parang

Narrated by: Brian Holden

In 2008, Touraj Parang's award-winning startup, Jaxtr, had 10 million users, raised nearly $20 million from top-tier Silicon Valley investors, and seemed poised to sail straight through the Great Recession. But, by January of 2009, Jaxtr's only hope for survival was to find a buyer—sadly, it was too late for that.

In Exit Path, Touraj draws on the lessons learned from that chaotic experience and the extraordinary successes that followed once he made creating and executing an exit strategy a top priority. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn that implementing an exit strategy early will empower you to take charge of your startup's ultimate fate, maximizing its potential for success while mitigating the risks of failure.

Exit Path walks you through actionable steps to devise and execute an effective exit strategy, starting with a fresh new perspective on the critical importance of creating a viable sale option for your startup. You'll learn why creating your exit strategy is necessary well before you're contemplating an exit, regardless of the stage of your startup. You'll also discover how to create your own exit plan, how to make your plan a reality through personal and business relationships, and how to approach and negotiate with acquirers for an outcome best aligned with your values and ambitions should the need arise.

©2022 Touraj Parang (P)2022 McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio

Build with the end in mind

The book made me feel the need for a seasoned exit coach. Without a good understanding of how to navigate your startup to an exit, one way or another, starting or continuing the journey will be insanely risky. The main job of a founder is to continuously reduce risk, read this book regardless of how far you are into your journey, beginning, midway or even far into the rabbit hole. Do it today.

Into the weeds with dealmaking

A must read for B2B entrepreneurs trying to capture the attention of large businesses as they demonstrate the value their company can bring to theirs. A little dry and prescriptive, but the hard advice is never hurts to hear more of.

Great long and short term M&A advice.

Selecting industry specialized investment bankers and M&A attorneys will make all the difference maximizing your transaction. You can find help assembling your “M&A Dream Team” at Exitwise.com.

Engaging case studies that offer valuable insights

When I began my startup, I hadn't seriously considered the idea of an exit strategy. Occasionally, the thought of being acquired by a larger company crossed my mind, but I had no clear understanding of how it worked. That changed when I connected with Touraj, who introduced me to a book that made a significant impact. The book required time and reflection to internalize its concepts and how they could be applied to my company or myself. I highly recommend this book, particularly for its engaging case studies that offer valuable insights.