Even when these firms have valuable IP, loyal customers, or regional strength, they’re typically not platform or even tuck-in-ready! And they’re definitely not going to command premium valuations without making a strategic shift.
So What Should Founders Do? We’ve all heard and know that “hope is not a strategy”, but what is the strategy for a firm in this position? If you’re a founder in this situation, you still have options. But time is not your ally. Valuations are increasingly flowing to the top 20%—the ones who are ready. To get ready you can: