Exit Strategies


Recent Exit Strategies Articles

Don't Try to Sell Too Soon

By Norm Brodsky |  Nov 1, 2010

How to build your business up before you sell.  Read more


Editor's Letter: Things Change

By Jane Berentson |  Nov 1, 2010

The economy goes through phases, and so do individual business owners.  Read more


"What Am I, If Not My Business?"

By Bo Burlingham |  Nov 1, 2010

What happens when it’s time to move on? In the rare moments when entrepreneurs pause to think about it, they are by turns terrified, exhilarated, and just ...  Read more


The 2010 Business Valuation Guide

By Darren Dahl |  Nov 1, 2010

Are you looking to buy or sell a business? Here's what you need to know about private company business valuations.  Read more


How Much Is Your Company Worth?

By Darren Dahl |  Nov 1, 2010

This chart shows how much businesses are selling for in 131 industries. Where does your business fit in?  Read more


A Stagnant Market

By Darren Dahl |  Nov 1, 2010

Business valuations have remained frozen in time for the past nine quarters. Are there any signs that that will change in 2011?  Read more


Exit Strategies for Social Entrepreneurs

By Suzi Sosa |  Oct 21, 2010

When your business has a heartfelt social mission, the concept of "selling out" takes on a whole different meaning.  Read more


Making Your Business Sellable

By John Warrillow |  Oct 20, 2010

Serial entrepreneur John Warrillow answers reader questions on how to build value in your business.  Watch video


How to Choose an Exit Strategy

By Inc. staff |  Oct 19, 2010

When you need to decide on an exit strategy for your business, here are factors to consider and tips for choosing the one that's best for you.  Read more


How to Find Out What Your Business Is Really Worth

By John Warrillow |  Oct 4, 2010

Whether you want to sell or not, it’s natural to wonder what your business could fetch on the market. Entrepreneur John Warrillow offers up some resources.  Read more


9 Things to Know Before Going Public

By John Warrillow |  Sep 14, 2010

Many business owners dream of taking their companies public, but serial entrepreneur John Warrillow warns there are plenty of reasons to think twice about it.  Read more


Business for Sale: A Flooring and Remodeling Store

By Darren Dahl |  Aug 24, 2010

Would you pay $318,000 to buy this California retailer?  Read more


Taking Advantage of a Percolating IPO Market

By Carolyn M. Brown |  Aug 24, 2010

The IPO market bounced back this year, enabling a backlog of promising companies, including several on this year's Inc. 5000, to go public.  Read more


What Private Equity Wants – And What You Risk

By John Warrillow |  Aug 19, 2010

Serial entrepreneur John Warrillow examines some pros and cons of selling a stake in your business to a private equity firm.  Read more


Making Private Equity's Short List

By John Warrillow |  Aug 17, 2010

Getting approached by a private equity buyer is exciting stuff, but your chances of actually being bought are slim. Here's just how slim.  Read more


Demand Media's Curious IPO

By Max Chafkin |  Aug 9, 2010

Turns out Demand Media is not profitable, according to the company's IPO filing. In fact, the red-hot media start-up lost $22 million last year on $114 milli...  Read more


Skype Calls for IPO

By Christine Lagorio |  Aug 9, 2010

Each day, Inc.'s reporters scour the Web for the most important and interesting news to entrepreneurs. Here's what we found today: ...  Read more


Inc. 500 Alum 2Wire Snapped Up

By Matt Quinn |  Jul 26, 2010

Tech company founded in 1998 is bought by British firm Pace for nearly a half billion dollars as broadband booms.  Read more


Education Start-up SynapticMash Acquired for $10 Million

By Courtney Rubin |  Jul 22, 2010

The three-year-old company's founder came to educational software thanks partly to volunteer work -- and a life-changing accident.  Read more


Handbag Maker Vera Bradley Files for IPO

By Courtney Rubin |  Jul 9, 2010

The iconic summer handbag company was founded in an Indiana basement with just $250 in start-up capital.  Read more


VC-backed IPOs Still Struggling

By Matt Quinn |  Jul 1, 2010

More venture-backed companies are going public, sure. But those aren’t the only numbers you should be watching.  Read more


Case Study: When a Married Couple Disagree

By Cristina Rouvalis |  Jul 1, 2010

Tom Pastorius wanted to buy back his business, Penn Brewery. His wife Mary Beth was not so sure.  Read more


Business for Sale: An Ohio Golf Course

By Darren Dahl |  Jul 1, 2010

For $2.5 million, a buyer can have any tee time he or she wants.  Read more


The Return of the IPO

By Nitasha Tiku |  Jul 1, 2010

Investors are betting on high-growth start-ups.  Read more


Woot Acquired by Amazon.com

By Max Chafkin |  Jun 30, 2010

Fresh on the heels of the Zappos.com acquisition, the deal-a-day pioneer Matt Rutledge of Woot.com sells his company to Amazon.com.  Read more