Why This Matters
Every startup story has an end. The question is: will yours be on your terms?
Too many founders wait until it’s too late to think about acquisition. But the most successful exits aren’t accidental—they’re engineered. Whether you're years away from selling or in early talks, the smartest thing you can do today is start with the exit in mind.
This NEC session will walk you through what it really means to build a startup that's attractive to acquirers—and how to reverse-engineer that goal to drive every decision you make.
Free Session: How to Think Like an Acquirer
This session is free and open to the public, designed to give you a strategic lens for startup planning through the eyes of a potential buyer.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand the most common types of startup acquisitions
- Identify the traits acquirers actually look for
- Avoid early-stage decisions that hurt your long-term value
- Recognize red flags that can derail a deal during due diligence
- Strategically align your business to become “buyable”
You’ll leave with:
The mindset of a founder who knows how to build toward a profitable exit—not just hope for one.
Workshop: Reverse Engineer Your Exit
Know what your acquirer wants—and build it now.
In this workshop, you’ll put yourself in the shoes of a future acquirer and assess your business through their lens. With expert guidance from NEC’s capital advisors, you’ll complete two powerful planning tools that help you build a stronger, more acquirable company.
Workshop Focus:
- Fill out an Acquirer Profile Worksheet to identify your ideal exit
- Use an Exit Readiness Checklist to audit your current position
- Practice thinking like a buyer to avoid deal-breaking gaps
- Understand what acquirers need from your team, product, and financials
- Talk 1:1 with NEC capital experts who’ve seen real exits from both sides
🎯 What You’ll Walk Away With
- A clearer vision for your ideal acquisition scenario
- Two practical tools: the acquirer profile + readiness checklist
- Strategic insights from advisors who’ve worked on real M&A deals
- A stronger foundation for building long-term value and optionality
Thank you to our Community Partners,Comstasis, and Metro Nashville for helping to make this event possible. And a huge shoutout to the EC's Growth Partners for their support of our founder community:Baker Donelson,CLA,Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce,Pinnacle Financial PartnersandRJ Young.
Parking: Parking is available in the red brick garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on 15 Lea Avenue); please come inside to the front desk to scan the QR code for validation up to 3 hours.
