The Path to Exit

Interest from private equity firms can be flattering, but founders need to understand that not every PE firm will be a good fit for your company. Founders need to discover the true dynamics of the fund, particularly when considering the long-term relationship. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Bean outline what questions you should ask a PE firm to understand if they're a...

We typically see four main tipping points for founders when they’re deciding to sell their business or to raise capital. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons discuss what those milestones look like and how founders can decide for themselves if the time is right to consider pursuing a transaction.  Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconf...

SaaS founders are often overwhelmed by or underprepared for the legal diligence and purchase agreement negotiation during an M&A transaction. In this episode, Brian Lenihan from Choate, Hall and Stewart LLP joins Mike Lyon to discuss typical legal challenges that come up during the diligence process that founders should be aware of so they can be better prepared.  This material is intended for...

SaaS founders typically receive frequent emails and calls from private equity firms and it can be difficult to know which ones are worth responding to, how to respond correctly, or what information to share (or not share) with them. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Russell Perkins discuss several tips for generating PE interest, navigating initial conversations, and identifying promising firms.   Vi...

It’s easy for founders to put tax and estate planning on the back burner when you're focused on running a business and thinking about a sale, however, getting an early start on these considerations can really make a big impact on how much you take home. In this episode, Sarah Letourneau from Goldman Sachs joins Mike Lyon to talk about tax planning, QSBS, estate taxes, and when to start planni...

It’s easy to get swept up in the speculations of an election year, and founder-led SaaS companies will likely wonder how high the stakes are for them and if now is the time to sell. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons discuss why founders shouldn’t worry so much about the coming election, what they should be paying attention to instead, and the current M&A outlook for...

In Episode 7, we discussed key metrics for selling a SaaS business, but getting data into the correct format to calculate these metrics can be difficult and time consuming. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Ethan Carlson discuss some common issues founders face when trying to pull and calculate these metrics for a business valuation. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank provid...

Founders are sometimes tempted to run the process of selling their business themselves in order to save money on a banker fee. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Loson Stockton discuss the advantages of hiring an investment bank that outweigh the fee, specifically how an investment banker can help add value throughout framing and positioning, negotiation, diligence, and optimizing post-deal relationsh...

A major trend in SaaS has been vertical-specific companies integrating payment processing as a strategy to increase revenue and improve attractiveness in M&A. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons discuss the “FinTechization” of vertical SaaS, how buyers think about payment integration opportunities, and how companies can capitalize on payment tech trends while not handi...

Founders typically hear from about 40 - 60 PE firms and strategic buyers annually who are looking to connect and compare notes. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Bean discuss why so many PE firms are reaching out, how to identify the best ones to build relationships with, and what information you should and should not share. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investm...

Macro trends in the M&A markets can influence a founder's outcome when looking to execute a deal process. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Mike Greco discuss current trends and their implications in the SaaS M&A markets, who is winning and who is losing, and a short- to mid-term outlook for the market. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank provi...

Founders of Hostaway, Marcus Rader and Saber Kordestanchi, share their experiences of dramatically scaling a vacation rental property management SaaS platform during a worldwide pandemic with very little capital raised, as well as the process of closing their recent $175 million investment with PSG.  Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and ca...

The metrics you use (and how you position them in the context of your business) will have a significant effect on the interest you can attract from buyers/investors in a process. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Loson Stockton discuss the top metrics you should be tracking and sharing as part of your process. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A...

Jonathan Pototschnik, founder of Service Autopilot, shares his experience of using content marketing to foster rapid growth in his software business, as well as the journey to eventually selling his company through an investment bank. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet busi...

Anthony Showalter, co-founder of Pear Deck, shares how his team managed the operational challenges of rapid growth and the experience of running a competitive transaction process through an investment bank. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We partner with entr...

Different transaction types offer different trade offs in the form of liquidity, control, and upside. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Miles Lacey discuss some of the trade offs and how founders keep their options open during a process. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet busi...

The outcome of your M&A or capital raise transaction will depend in large part on your ability to foster competition as part of the transaction process. In this episode, managing directors Mike Lyon and Mike Greco discuss what goes into creating competition between prospective buyers. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raisin...

Sabari Raja, co-founder of Nepris (now Pathful) shares her journey of starting an EdTech company, building the company (including an awesome culture), and then working with an investment bank to eventually sell her company. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. We...

Founders whose businesses are currently experiencing rapid growth may be hesitant to sell a stake in their business. In this episode, Mike Lyon and Jeff Koons discuss why a growth phase is often the best time to pursue a transaction. Vista Point Advisors is a boutique sell-side investment bank providing unconflicted M&A and capital raising advice to founder-led software, AI, and internet busin...