Alejandro Cremades - Selling Your Startup

—Allan Hahn, FounderSold multiple companies for $1 billion+

“Startup founders suffer from a basic disadvantage when selling their startups. For most, it is the first time they're going through that process, while everyone else involved (corporate buyers, investors, lawyers) have repeated experience at the art of M&A. With this book, Alejandro is tipping back the scale and demystifying this process in a clear, down-to-earth, and detailed language. Highly recommended reading for startup founders and execs.”

—Eran Shir, Cofounder

Sold Dapper to Yahoo for $55 million

CRAFTING THE PERFECT EXIT, SELLING YOUR BUSINESS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE ENTREPRENEURS NEED TO KNOW

ALEJANDRO CREMADES

FOREWORD BY BHAVIN TURAKHIA

Copyright © 2021 by Alejandro Cremades. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Cremades, Alejandro, author.

Title: Selling your startup : crafting the perfect exit, selling your business, and everything else entrepreneurs need to know / Alejandro Cremades.

Description: Hoboken, New Jersey : Wiley, [2021] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2021021825 (print) | LCCN 2021021826 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119797982 (hardback) | ISBN 9781119798057 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119798040 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Sale of business enterprises. | New business enterprises.

Classification: LCC HD1393.25 .C74 2021 (print) | LCC HD1393.25 (ebook) | DDC 658.1/64–dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021021825

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021021826

Cover design and image: Wiley

To my love and life partner, Tanya, and my daughters, Mila, Liv, and Alya, the greatest joys of my life .

This book would have not been possible without the love and support of my wife, Tanya. She has always been there for me through the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur. Without a strong and supportive partner, it is impossible to take the leap of faith and build something from the ground up. The way she handled some of the most challenging events that came our way has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I wish all entrepreneurs had someone like Tanya by their side to help them keep pushing even during the darkest days of entrepreneurship when it is most needed.

I would also like to thank my little daughters, Mila, Liv, and Alya. At the time of writing this book, Mila was four years old and Liv and Alya were three years old. Even though they wanted to play at all times, they were very understanding when Daddy needed to work. Girls, if you ever read this, know that seeing you grow into intelligent, strong, and compassionate young women has been the best part of my life and a great motivation. More than anyone else, you are the people that I want to make proud of me.

Thank you to my father, Bernardo Cremades, my mother, Leticia Roman, and my brother, Bernardo Cremades Jr. They have always been rooting for me no matter what since the very early beginnings of my entrepreneurial journey. They have been constantly reliable and picked up the phone whenever I would call them even if it was 1:00 in the morning.

Furthermore, I would like to thank my father-in-law, Robert Shereck, and my mother-in-law, Gisele Prive. In addition to their love and support, they have taught me some of the biggest leadership lessons.

Other family members who have been very supportive through my journey are Carmen Posadas, Evan Prive, Zack Prive, and Beatriz Larrea.

This book would have never made it here without my publisher, Wiley. Especially Zach Schisgal. He has been a joy to work with and the person who believed in this book when I pitched him the idea.

One special person that has always been there for me is my other half in business, Michael Seversen. He came into my life at a point of transition after the acquisition of my previous company. Since then we have been business partners and we've had each other's back. There are no words to describe my gratitude to and appreciation of him.

Moreover, I would like to thank other members of my team for their help: Saroj Aggarwal, Miles Carter, Bryan Epstein, Vimal Gerda, Sri Gunasekaran, Tim Houghten, Zachary Jameson, Russell Michelson, Susan Nichols, Collin Robert, Prashant Sharma, Deepak Thakur, and Kammy Wood.

I would also like to thank all the people who have been involved with my prior ventures: investors, advisors, employees, and customers. Most of my knowledge about acquisitions comes as a result of working closely with you.

Last but not least, I want to offer my thanks to all of my readers. I appreciate the faith you are placing in me by reading my book, and I hope my experience and insights will help you forge your best path forward on your journey of selling your startup.

Thank you all. I am very fortunate to have you in my life.

I believe it is our moral obligation to make an impact that is proportionate to our potential.

I have always had a passion for reading books and credit a lot to this habit inculcated into me during my early childhood. Reading enables you to shape your life from the wisdom and experiences of others. Stand on the shoulders of giants.