Episode 91: Inside the Deal with James Fair

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we sit down with Robin Fisk, co‑founder and CEO of Donorfy, a SaaS CRM platform built specifically for nonprofits and charities. Robin shares the 10‑year journey of building a bootstrapped, cloud‑based CRM serving over 1,000 organizations across the UK and Scandinavia, culminating in Donorfy's acquisition by The Access Group in November 2024.   Robin walks through why he and his co‑founder decided to sell, how they prepared for the M&A process, why choosing the right advisor mattered, and what surprised him most along the way. He also offers candid insights into due diligence, managing confidentiality with a close‑knit remote team, defining non‑negotiables, and life after exit. This episode is packed with practical advice for founders considering a strategic sale.   Takeaways Build with the exit in mind from day one. Preparation matters more than speed. Choose advisors with founder experience. Know your non‑negotiables early. Selling your company is emotional — even when it's successful.   00:22 – Introducing Robin Fisk and Donorfy 03:06 – Acquisition by The Access Group 4:28 – Choosing Corum Group as an M&A advisor 06:35 – The hardest parts of selling a company 09:29 – Defining non negotiables in the deal 11:56 – Balancing work, due diligence, and personal life 14:48 – Advice for founders considering an exit 17:18 – Life after selling the business 18:50 – Final thoughts and wrap up

Operating a company during an exit is difficult. Managing a sell-side process while simultaneously acquiring a business in a different time zone? That requires a specific mindset. In this episode, we speak with James Fair, founder of Vetasi, following his acquisition by Cohesive (part of the Bentley Group). James breaks down the reality of "oily hands" asset management software and the critical importance of recurring revenue. He shares the story of a grueling, unprecedented 3-week due diligence sprint that galvanized his team, and offers advice on why waiting for the "perfect" conditions is often the enemy of a successful deal. Takeaways: Timing matters more than perfect readiness A strong recurring revenue model and full‑service offering make a company highly attractive to buyers Running an M&A process alongside daily operations is extremely demanding Despite the intensity, the M&A journey can be unifying and rewarding 00:00 - The Origins of Vetasi: Building a Global Asset Management Player 01:15 - Why Sell Now? Timing, Market Heat, and Strategic Fit  03:00 - The Secret Sauce: Advisory-First Strategy & Recurring Revenues  04:21 - Steering the Ship: Running M&A While Running the Business  06:48 - Lessons from the Trenches: Preparation, Imperfection, and Three-Week Diligence  08:29 - After the Exit: Culture Clashes, Shared Vision, and the New Chapter Ahead

Markets shift. Buyers have concerns. Sometimes the offer isn't what you expected. After 40 years and more tech company sales than any firm in history, we've learned one crucial truth: Sometimes the best move is to hit "pause." In this month's webcast, hear from three founders who leveraged Corum's Hiatus program to deliver dramatically better results: addressing buyer concerns, improving customer base, reducing churn and demonstrating consistency—proving that patience and preparation beat settling every time. Plus, we'll cover: CEO Desk: Thinking About an Exit? 7 Buyer Benchmarks That Matter Current Valuation Trends: Understand tech company valuations today Key Tech Market Deals: Discover notable transactions from November Active Tech Buyers: Learn which companies are acquiring ------------------------------------------------ Corum's Tech M&A Monthly is a regular podcast series for software company owners, executives and CEOs. Each month, Corum Group, the world's leading M&A firm for software and related technology companies, examines the world of Tech M&A. In addition, Tech M&A Monthly includes special reports on buyers, markets and the M&A process itself. This thirty-minute podcast is a must for owners and CEOs considering Tech M&A, whether now or in the future.

The smart money is capitalizing on the strong M&A market and valuations to exit investments. In this month's Tech M&A Monthly webcast, we'll explore five key reasons why VC and PE funds are heading for the exits—and what it means for your business. Are you watching what the smart money is doing? You should.  What else will be covered? Special report: Understanding Working Capital Current Tech M&A market trends Valuations across all 6 tech sectors November megadeal report Learn why Tech CEOs and Founders should be watching the PE and VC exit trends. --------------------------------------------------------------- Corum's Tech M&A Monthly is a regular podcast series for software company owners, executives and CEOs. Each month, Corum Group, the world's leading M&A firm for software and related technology companies, examines the world of Tech M&A. In addition, Tech M&A Monthly includes special reports on buyers, markets and the M&A process itself. This thirty-minute podcast is a must for owners and CEOs considering Tech M&A, whether now or in the future.

When buyers evaluate a software or tech company, they don't just look at top-line growth or EBITDA. Buyers dig into the quality of your revenue. Is it recurring? Diversified? Sustainable? These factors play a critical role in determining valuation and can mean the difference between an average and extraordinary outcome. In this webcast, we break down what acquirers really look for in revenue streams, how quality impacts valuation and what CEOs and founders can do now to strengthen their company's long-term value. Webcast Agenda:  CEO Desk: 10 AI Traps to Avoid with M&A Presentations Special Report: Quality of Revenue—The Key to Your Value Review of key deals in September 2025 Valuation trends across the six technology sectors --------------------------------------------------------------- Corum's Tech M&A Monthly is a regular podcast series for software company owners, executives and CEOs. Each month, Corum Group, the world's leading M&A firm for software and related technology companies, examines the world of Tech M&A. In addition, Tech M&A Monthly includes special reports on buyers, markets and the M&A process itself. This thirty-minute podcast is a must for owners and CEOs considering Tech M&A, whether now or in the future.

The rules of Tech M&A have changed. What once took months now happens in days — accelerating buyer responses, heightening competition and creating opportunities for sellers to maximize value. In this webcast, we discuss how you can succeed in the virtual age of Tech M&A bidding. Additionally, we also cover: 10 Tips for choosing an M&A attorney Key deals in August 2025 Valuation trends across six sectors Upcoming M&A educational opportunities --------------------------------------------------------------- Corum's Tech M&A Monthly is a regular podcast series for software company owners, executives and CEOs. Each month, Corum Group, the world's leading M&A firm for software and related technology companies, examines the world of Tech M&A. In addition, Tech M&A Monthly includes special reports on buyers, markets and the M&A process itself. This thirty-minute podcast is a must for owners and CEOs considering Tech M&A, whether now or in the future.

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