Navigating the complexities of an exit strategy is no small feat. From preparing for due diligence to negotiating deal terms, the process requires expertise, foresight, and meticulous attention to detail. This is where advisors come in. Engaging the right advisors can make the difference between a smooth, successful exit and a drawn-out, suboptimal outcome.
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Ollie Dammone from Frazer Nash Consultancy joined Cyber Runway Scale to provide insights into M&A from a buyer’s perspective. He discussed due diligence, valuation, and integration challenges, offering founders a realistic view of the acquisition process in the cybersecurity sector.
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This Cyber Runway Scale session explored strategic hiring for cybersecurity startups, focusing on team expansion, recruitment challenges, and building a strong company culture. Joel Hughes, of InfoSec People, discussed attracting top talent, scaling teams efficiently, and fostering diversity in the cyber sector.
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Rupert Cook joined the Cyber Runway Scale Founders Fireside to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and share insights on navigating the cybersecurity landscape. Topics included fundraising, product-market fit, and leadership lessons learned while building a successful cyber business.
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Planning and executing a business exit is a complex process, and even the most seasoned entrepreneurs can stumble. Mistakes during this critical phase can delay the sale, reduce valuation, or even derail the entire transaction. The good news? Most of these errors are avoidable with proper preparation and foresight.
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Securing a premium valuation multiple is the holy grail of exit planning. Buyers and investors are willing to pay higher multiples for businesses that demonstrate resilience, scalability, and growth potential. However, achieving a premium valuation requires more than just strong financials; it involves proactively addressing key value drivers and avoiding common pitfalls.
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In the world of scaling a business, particularly in SaaS and cybersecurity, one of the biggest challenges is not just acquiring customers but acquiring the right customers. In a recent session, Richard Blundell, co-founder of Venture and a former executive at MessageLabs, shared hard-earned lessons from his experience scaling businesses, including MessageLabs’ remarkable journey from startup to a $695 million acquisition by Symantec.
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For many startup founders, finance can feel like a maze of spreadsheets, projections, and investor expectations. But at its core, startup finance revolves around a few fundamental principles: where money comes from, how it is spent, and how to maximize returns while maintaining financial stability.
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For any startup founder, the journey from idea to execution is filled with challenges. However, the biggest transformation isn’t just in scaling a business, it’s in evolving from a founder into a CEO.
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Timing is everything when it comes to selling a business. Exit too early, and you might leave value on the table; wait too long, and you risk market shifts or internal challenges diminishing your business’s worth. The right timing strikes a balance between your business’s readiness, market conditions, and shareholder objectives.
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International expansion is a significant milestone for any startup, but it comes with its own set of complexities. In a recent discussion led by John Kinson, an experienced consultant specializing in global market entry and startup scaling, founders and executives explored the realities of expanding into the US. The conversation covered market readiness, legal and regulatory considerations, hiring strategies, and the cultural nuances that can make or break a company’s success overseas.
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Disability inclusion is a vital yet often misunderstood aspect of workplace diversity. In a recent session hosted at Plexal, Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK, provided valuable insights into what it means to create a truly inclusive work environment. His talk covered the social model of disability, legal obligations under the Equality Act, workplace adjustments, and practical steps businesses can take to foster inclusivity.
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Scaling a company from a small team to a global market leader is a challenge that requires smart hiring, a robust governance model, and a deep understanding of customer needs. In a recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside, John-Orr Hanna, former Chief Intelligence Officer at Crisp, shared his experience of growing the company from a handful of analysts to over 140 employees and achieving a 15x business expansion in four years.
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Selling your business is one of the most significant milestones in an entrepreneur’s journey. However, even the most attractive businesses can falter during due diligence if they are not properly prepared. This stage is where buyers scrutinize every aspect of your business to evaluate risks, verify claims, and confirm the value they’re willing to pay.
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Building a successful startup requires more than just a great idea—it takes execution, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to understanding your customers. This was the key takeaway from the recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside session with Ashu Savani, co-founder of TryHackMe, a cybersecurity training platform that has grown into a 20-million-dollar revenue business without any external investment.
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This Cyber Runway Scale session focused on preventing burnout in startup teams, addressing the mental and physical toll of high-growth environments. Experts shared strategies for work-life balance, team resilience, and sustainable leadership to ensure long-term success in cybersecurity startups.
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Chris from Intruder joined the Cyber Runway: Scale Founders Fireside session to share his journey in building a successful cybersecurity startup. The conversation explored the challenges of product development, securing investment, and adapting to industry shifts while growing a cyber business.
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When it comes to planning an exit, understanding your business’s value—and the factors that drive it—is essential. Whether you’re preparing for a trade sale, IPO, or private equity investment, the right focus on valuation drivers can significantly enhance your outcomes. In this article, we explore the key components of valuation, strategies to improve them, and common pitfalls to avoid.
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B2B sales is challenging, now more than ever. Tightening budgets, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive landscape mean sales teams must be more strategic than ever in how they generate and sustain momentum. In a recent Cyber Runway session, Tom Glason, CEO of ScaleWise, shared insights on optimizing B2B sales strategies. With over 20 years of experience in B2B tech and leadership roles across startups and scaleups, Tom provided a roadmap for improving sales processes, from effective discovery calls to engaging product demos.
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Neurodiversity is a vital consideration in cybersecurity, with one in five professionals in the industry identifying as neurodivergent. This article, based on a Cyber Runway: Scale session led by a Plexal Innovation Associate, explores the importance of neurodiversity, common misconceptions, and practical ways to support neurodivergent employees while maximizing their unique strengths.
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