Daily Blueprint
Daily Blueprint
4 Founders. $700M+ In Exits. The Truth About Selling A Startup
That single line from Yves Frinault reframed the entire conversation on our first-ever Exited Founder Acquisition Roundtable.We sat down with four construction tech founders who collectively sold their companies for hundreds of...
May 13, 2026
01:18:21
4 Founders. $700M+ In Exits. The Truth About Selling A Startup
Episode
“Companies are bought, not sold.” That single line from Yves Frinault framed the entire conversation on the first-ever Exited Founder Acquisition Roundtable. This episode features insights from four construction tech founders who collectively sold their startups for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Featured Founders and Their Exits
- Yves Frinault (Fieldwire → Hilti)
- Dustin DeVan (BuildingConnected → Autodesk, $275M cash + $40M stock)
- Mo Akbari Hochberg (HoloBuilder → FARO, approximately $36M)
- Zach Scheel (Rhumbix → Autodesk, fresh off the deal)
Key Insights From the Roundtable
- How Hilti initially told Fieldwire they would never acquire them, yet did four years later
- The essential negotiation tactic Dustin DeVan recommends for founders facing corporate development teams
- Why an acquisition represents a “one-way door” and how founders can determine their readiness
- The Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) detail that influences how much of an exit founders actually retain
Where to Listen
The full episode is available on Spotify and YouTube.
Chapter guide
-
0:00
Intro -
00:46
Introduction to the Acquisition Round Table -
03:25
Founders' Experiences and Lessons Learned -
06:31
Understanding the Role Post-Acquisition -
09:40
The Importance of Timing in Acquisitions -
09:56
Sponsors -
12:57
Fundamentals for Being an Attractive Acquisition Target -
31:06
The Exit Journey: Building Value Before Acquisition -
33:14
Business Fundamentals: Attracting Strategic Acquirers -
36:04
Diligence and Documentation: Preparing for Acquisition -
38:56
Revenue and Customer Love: Key Acquisition Drivers -
41:13
Understanding ARR: Acquisition Thresholds and Market Dynamics -
48:53
Negotiation Strategies: Preparing for the Table -
54:46
Lessons from Exits: Growth as a Founder -
01:00:45
Defining Success Beyond Numbers -
01:02:42
Mindfulness in Leadership During Transitions -
01:04:22
The Importance of a Strong Executive Team -
01:05:20
The Shift in Perspective Post-Acquisition -
01:06:11
Reflections on Founding and Structuring Companies -
01:08:37
Creating Value Over Tax Strategy -
01:11:21
The Reality of Startup Success Rates -
01:11:54
Choosing the Right Company to Join -
01:14:48
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