Episode 85: Inside the Deal with Barry Larson

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, Brian Sweat, CEO of Alterity Inc., shares his journey of building a company that developed Activate Inventory Software and the process of selling it. He discusses the motivations behind pursuing M&A, the challenges of finding the right strategic fit, and the importance of employee integration during an acquisition. Brian reflects on lessons learned, the role of advisors like Corum in filtering opportunities and negotiating deals, and how life has changed after the sale—bringing renewed focus and reduced stress. Takeaways: Alterity created Activate Inventory Software for small businesses. There's no perfect deal—focus on progress and strategic alignment. Corum's expertise helps CEOs filter noise and secure the best opportunities. Selling can reduce stress and allow founders to focus on what they enjoy. 00:00 Introduction to Alterity and its Mission 03:12 The Pivot Point: Progress Over Perfection 04:18 Employee Integration and Career Growth Post-Acquisition 06:48 Advice for CEOs: Filtering Opportunities and Using Advisors 08:29 Life After the Sale: Reduced Stress and Renewed Focus 10:46 Reflections on Working with Corum and Future Plans

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, Barry Larson, founder and CEO of OK Alone, shares his journey of building a company focused on employee safety monitoring solutions and the process of selling it. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in the M&A process, including choosing the right partner, navigating negotiations, and the importance of preparation and commitment. Barry reflects on life after the sale, exploring new opportunities and personal projects.   Takeaways: OK Alone is an employee protection software. Corum has experience in selling in niche sectors. Hiring an advisor means the CEO is able to focus on running the business. Preparation is key. 00:00 Introduction to OK Alone and Its Mission 02:48 The M&A Process: Choosing Corum and Navigating Challenges 05:42 Negotiation Insights and Non-Negotiables 08:59 Life After the Sale: New Opportunities and Reflections

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, Dan Goerdt, CEO of Flexagon, shares insights into his company's journey through the M&A process. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in scaling the business, finding the right buyer, and the impact of the deal on his personal and professional life. Dan emphasizes the importance of education and preparation in navigating the M&A landscape, as well as the significance of aligning with a buyer that fits the company's culture and goals.   Takeaways Flexagon is a software automation company founded in 2014. The M&A process requires significant time and commitment. Finding the right buyer is crucial for company culture. Education on the M&A process is essential for success. The diligence process can be rigorous but manageable. Balancing company operations with M&A activities is challenging. Having a clear process helps in making informed decisions. Financial security post-deal provides new opportunities. Work-life balance is important for personal well-being. Future growth strategies are exciting and essential for success.   00:00 Introduction to Flexagon and the M&A Journey 02:51 Navigating the M&A Process 05:51 Finding the Right Buyer 08:52 Life After the Deal and Future Aspirations

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, hosts Niles Overly and Rob Kopp share their experiences as co-founders of Metro Data Centers, discussing their motivations for selling the company, the unique aspects of their business, and the challenges they faced during the M&A process. They emphasize the importance of planning for an exit, effective communication, and the value of seeking professional help throughout the sale process. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs considering an exit strategy.   Takeaways Always think about an exit strategy from the start. Unique business models can attract buyers. Effective communication is crucial during the sale process. Balancing daily operations with M&A activities is challenging. Seek professional help to navigate the M&A process. Experience plays a significant role in successful exits. Planning financial projections is essential but difficult. Involve trusted employees at the right time. Investment bankers can provide significant value during sales. Understanding the complexities of your business is key.    Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tech M&A Podcast 00:28 Founders' Backgrounds and Company Overview 01:54 Motivations for the Sale Process 03:10 Unique Selling Points of Metro Data Centers 04:14 Communication Strategies During the Sale 05:23 Balancing Operations and M&A Process 06:32 Lessons Learned and Surprises 07:58 Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering an Exit

Tech M&A Is Shattering Records—Are You Ready to Capitalize? Join us for the August edition of Tech M&A Monthly, where we'll break down what's driving record-breaking deal activity and what it means for tech founders like you. We'll explore the latest trends shaping the M&A landscape and take you inside the buyer universe—who's actively acquiring, how much dry powder they're sitting on and where they're looking to invest next. If you're thinking about an exit or just want to stay ahead of the curve, this is a webcast you won't want to miss.

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we dive into the world of tech entrepreneurship with Patrick Laney, a Navy pilot turned tech entrepreneur. Patrick shares his journey with Performance Drone Works, focusing on the challenges and triumphs of building cutting-edge autonomous drone technology for the military. Discover the strategies that caught the attention of buyers and the personal experiences that shaped his path to a successful exit.   Takeaways: The importance of innovative technology in attracting buyers. Balancing business operations with the demands of an acquisition process. Insights into effective communication and maintaining company culture during transitions. Personal reflections on life changes post-acquisition. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network and subscribe for more inspiring stories and practical tips from tech founders. Reach out to us with your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected].  

Whether you're exploring an exit or simply preparing for the future, Corum's 2025 mid-year report will give you the insight you need to navigate the second half of the year.   Billion-dollar tech deals dominate the headlines—but that's only part of the story. If you're the CEO, founder or investor in a smaller software or IT company, you need to understand what's really happening in the M&A market and how it impacts companies like yours.   Corum's 2025 Tech M&A Mid-Year Report Covers: •    CEO Desk: "Too Small to Sell? Think Again" •    Corum's "Four Pillars for M&A Success" •    Key trends in Tech M&A in H1 2025 •    Valuation metrics across 6 sectors and 29 subsectors •    Top buyers acquiring in 2025   Download a copy of the H1 2025 report: Tech M&A Monthly Webcast: 2025 Mid-Year Tech M&A Report | Corum Group   #techM&A2025 #techexitstrategy #techvaluationmetrics #corumgroup #softwarecompanysale

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, Ryen Leva, CEO of Infinity Software, shares his journey of growing and selling his family business. He discusses the importance of building scalable processes, the family dynamics involved in the decision to sell, and the critical aspects of pitching and due diligence during the acquisition process. Ryen also emphasizes the significance of effective communication with team members and aligning offers with personal and family goals. Finally, he reflects on life after the sale and the newfound freedom it brings.   Takeaways Build your company in a way that is forward-looking. Family dynamics play a crucial role in the decision to sell. Having a solid pitch is essential for attracting buyers. Due diligence is critical to prove the business's value. Effective communication with the team is vital during the sale process. Aligning offers with personal and family goals is important. Choosing the right advisors can make a significant difference. The sale can provide new opportunities and choices. Money doesn't guarantee happiness but offers freedom. It's essential to set clear goals before entering negotiations.     Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tech M&A Podcast 00:28 Ryen Leva's Journey with Infinity Software 01:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering an Exit 01:51 The Decision to Sell: Family Dynamics 03:03 The Importance of Pitching and Due Diligence 04:59 Communicating with Team and Stakeholders 06:29 Aligning Offers with Personal and Family Goals 07:35 Choosing the Right Advisors for the Sale 07:56 Life After the Sale: New Opportunities

In this episode of the Tech M&A podcast, Poya Farighi shares his journey of building and exiting his cloud-based HR reference checking platform, Vitay. He discusses the challenges faced during the sale process, the importance of maintaining business operations, and the emotional transition after the exit. Poya emphasizes the need for preparation, the value of keeping an open mind for future opportunities, and the significance of celebrating milestones in the entrepreneurial journey.   takeaways Vitay is an automated reference checking platform that simplifies candidate screening. The sale process can be stressful, especially nearing the end. Maintaining day-to-day business operations is crucial during the sale process. Having a supportive team and advisors can ease the burden of selling a company. Be prepared for the emotional ups and downs of the exit process. It's important to keep an open mind about potential acquirers. Celebrating milestones, like an exit, is important for entrepreneurs. The journey of building a new venture begins after an exit. Expect the best but prepare for the worst during negotiations. Continuing to grow the company is essential, regardless of the sale outcome.   00:00 The Birth of Vitay: Solving HR Challenges 01:55 Navigating the Sale Process: Challenges and Strategies 05:09 Life After the Exit: Reflections and New Beginnings 07:59 Final Thoughts: Keeping an Open Mind for Future Opportunities

Confused between raising capital or selling your company? Discover how recapitalization offers a powerful growth option—allowing you to raise funds, gain liquidity, and bring on a strategic partner without giving up control. In this video, we break down how recapitalization works, why it's increasingly popular with private equity firms, and how it can drive growth, solve internal challenges, and position your company for a second, more lucrative exit. Featuring real-world case studies, we show how founders successfully leveraged recap deals to scale their business, cash out partially, and align with the right investors. Learn how Corum's proven process helps tech CEOs navigate recapitalization for optimal outcomes.   takeaways Evaluations don't create value, the process does. A global buyer search process is essential for maximizing value. Recapitalization allows founders to cash out while retaining equity. Private equity can provide operational expertise and growth opportunities. The Corum process can significantly improve sale outcomes. M&A activity is highly international, with diverse buyer universes. Valuations in tech sectors are rising, indicating strong market interest. Educational events are crucial for staying updated on M&A trends. Recapitalization can help companies scale without losing control. The Tech M&A Masterclass offers practical knowledge for navigating M&A.   00:00 Introduction to Tech M&A Podcast 01:43 CEO Desk: Insights on Valuation and Process 04:29 Upcoming M&A Educational Events 07:11 Tech M&A Market Research Report Overview 20:24 Leveraging Recapitalizations for Company Value Special Report 27:39 Conclusion and Upcoming Events