About Exit Machine

A great “Exit” is the dream of most startup founders.— but very few have a clear strategy for one. I’ve had the pleasure—but perhaps even more, the pain—of closing two exits.

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Having lived through all the blood, sweat, and tears — and stepped on every possible landmine along the way — I had to learn the how, what, and when of an exit the hard way.

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That’s why I decided to share my experience, establish “Exit Machine”, and launch its first offering: The Startup Exit Readiness & Execution Program — helping founders lead this critical journey from strategy and execution all the way to the signing table.

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But why on earth is “Programitizing” the Exit so crucial?

Because every successful exit depends on a clear, realistic strategy—and a team capable of executing that strategy despite limited resources, tight budgets, the pressure and disbelief both from outside and even within.

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Over the past decade, I’ve invested in or acted as a strategic advisor to more than ten cybersecurity startups and analyzed over fifty others. Even the most successful ones — despite all the incredible things they had achieved — shared two showstoppers that stood between them and their dream exit: no clear exit plan and no dedicated team. Gartner notes that “Tech CEOs must start their planning early and work consistently with their teams and advisors if they are to succeed in their exit.” Yet a Gartner research shows that only 5% of tech CEOs make exit strategy and execution a top priority—even though nearly all say a great exit is their biggest dream.

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But why?
The answer is simple: the startup world is undeniably about firefighting for survival—growth, market expansion, customer satisfaction, product roadmap, fundraising, talent management, and above all, managing cash flow.

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And Yes…The urgent eats the important for breakfast.

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They all knew that an exit involves some of the most important actions they’d ever take. Yet they were so consumed by the urgent that they had no energy left for the important. Many believed that selling more products would lead to a great exit. But it doesn’t.

 

So, my two cents from over 25 years in cybersecurity and over a decade as a startup founder, investor, and advisor:

👉 Build a dedicated Exit Team—with both internal members and experienced external experts. The team selling your products cannot sell your company; their KPIs and priorities keep them focused on the urgent, not the important.
👉 Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” to prepare your exit—it never comes.
👉 Start shaping it today.

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If you have questions about defining your exit path, I’d be happy to talk—just reach out.