http://instigatorblog.disqus.com/Focused on startups, customer development, Lean Startup and entrepreneurship.enSat, 12 Dec 2009 23:35:40 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-25631983<p>Keeping costs low but the eye on the horizon is a must. You must always know where you're at but see where you are going!</p>diziizleyelimgentrSat, 12 Dec 2009 23:35:40 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053844<p>"[...] Thoughts about the acquisition, by Ben Yoskovitz [...]"</p>Edgar RossiSat, 28 Mar 2009 22:13:46 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053839<p>@David Krug- "It’s better to be small and agile then big and inflexible..."- absolutely agree!</p>VitaminsSun, 22 Mar 2009 07:47:20 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053837<p>Strategy is always required for either small of large companies. There's no difference between the two especially when both have the same intention of "exiting" eventually.</p>Jared|SpeakwealthnowThu, 19 Mar 2009 06:28:49 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053835<p>i learned alot i currently in search of funding as well.</p>JeffThu, 12 Mar 2009 16:02:05 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053834<p>@Ben Yoskovitz: You normally start a company because you have a solution to solve a demand of a certain market.<br>Setting up a company with the sole purpose to get acquired is like setting up a trap.<br>Moreover if the companies doesn't get acquired, there is no sustainable business: then bankruptcy is the only way out.</p>Engago TeamFri, 06 Mar 2009 12:55:58 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053833<p>Hey, just thought you might wanna know that your blog looks a bit messed up with Opera.</p>DintzThu, 05 Mar 2009 13:04:44 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053832<p>We will witness more of such small exits in the near future. The reason being large companies can hardly go from 0-60 in a short amount of time. Startups are lean &amp; mean and they have a niche expertise. They understand the problem they are solving, which is extremely valuable to large organizations. Once in they can fuel growth rapidly.</p>Print MattWed, 04 Mar 2009 10:50:34 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053831<p>Interesting article - I think statement number 5 holds particularly true! Running lean is absolutely key to early start-up survival - guess some banks could use this lesson once in a while :-)</p>MichaelMon, 23 Feb 2009 11:15:48 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053830<p>I look forward to my next startup and I will learn this lesson way to many times. It's better to be small and agile then big and inflexible. Thanks for the wisdom Ben.</p>David KrugFri, 20 Feb 2009 17:07:25 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053829<p>Strategy is definitely more important for small, bootstrapped companies - we cannot rely on size or muscle to win. However, that reliance of mid-sized competitors who overstate their muscle gives us opportunity.</p>JoachinFri, 20 Feb 2009 15:43:40 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053828<p>I think the biggest thing is having a system in place that runs without you being there. This is where the real value of the business lies, otherwise, you are the business.</p>JoshWed, 18 Feb 2009 13:23:33 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053827<p>My experience supports your point that too much money from investors often keeps your hands handcuffed without really being able to manage your own company. So I really prefer the small exit with little investor money too...</p>Bart deValkWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:27:57 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053826<p>I didn't realize getting acquired was such an important goal for so many businesses. Also, I hate to admit it, I didn't know what an "exit" even was before reading this post and subsequently reading further on another website. Now it all makes sense!</p>RickTue, 17 Feb 2009 06:48:20 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053825<p>The "tight budget" is a must. And I totally agree about "getting on the radar screen" early. Remember Apple Computer in the 80s? That's exactly what they did.</p>Ed HarrisMon, 16 Feb 2009 21:55:35 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053824<p>This is the exit type I prefer. I consider myself a startup freak. Things changes at a certain point, and as it grows it becomes hard to stay fresh and creative as a company. I like to start and split.</p>DanSun, 15 Feb 2009 00:33:47 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053823<p>Great article, Ben.</p><p>Here are my points:</p><p>1. Start ups definitely need money, however, too much money may hurt the start ups in the far future or in the big picture.<br>2. Traditional thinks always regards of start-ups as : Idea - Fund raising - Team &amp; Progress - Earn money, however, actually the real situation would be short, quick with low or zero financial supported. I highly suggest the book &lt;&gt; by 37signals team for all.</p><p>Good luck to all :)</p>Joe Hao (HugM)Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:33:38 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053819<p>We must remember there are some hungry people out there who want to make a living as well. Great thoughts on strategy. Must have.</p>rickTue, 10 Feb 2009 22:44:11 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053818<p>@xin yep 10 million between 3 founders is definetly a great reward. Depends on the whole facebook thing. Maybe Mark Zuckerberg had other thoughts and motivations in mind and selling wasn't one of them. Not selling isnt neccesarily a bad thing.</p>Mark LangstonTue, 10 Feb 2009 16:38:36 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053817<p>@Basil - great book topic. I'd be willing to give it a read too if helpful. reach me at david at techstars dot org</p>DavidCohenTue, 10 Feb 2009 09:37:01 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053816<p>I like that you mentioned 3 founders splitting 10 million is still a great pay off. I think making a small exit is also related to the ambition and ego of the founders. Some people really believe that they can make their company worth a lot and do not want to sell at 5 to 10 million. In the case of Facebook, they didn't even want to sell at 1 billion, and that might have been a bad move. I think that sometimes having some humility and selling when you can is a bigger win.</p>Xin LuTue, 10 Feb 2009 03:23:23 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053815<p>I like the idea of running on a tight budget and making a few bucks until the right exit come along. That way there are two payoffs.</p>Eva MendesTue, 10 Feb 2009 00:31:35 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053814<p>@Engago Team: Why do you say that? If the goal of a company - that's been venture backed - isn't to exit, what is the goal?</p><p>@Martin: I don't really think the exit is taboo, but what worries investors is when startups think they can snap their fingers and exit because "so and so exited" and it "looked pretty fast and easy." The focus on the exit can lead to a false sense of entitlement or ease with which it takes place.</p>Ben YoskovitzMon, 09 Feb 2009 21:25:58 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053813<p>Basil - Send me a copy of the book, I'm happy to take a look and provide feedback.</p>Ben YoskovitzMon, 09 Feb 2009 21:24:31 -0000https://www.instigatorblog.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-small-exit/2009/02/04/#comment-8053812<p>Engago: well, not in tech. Most if not all internet startups are founded with the exit in mind. Nobody's telling you that, however. It's kind of taboo. But that's really how it works.</p>MartinSun, 08 Feb 2009 11:24:01 -0000