Exit strategy
A plan defining how shareholders will eventually realise their investment: trade sale, financial sponsor, IPO, or family succession. It shapes governance, structuring, and growth decisions from an early stage.
In practice
Defining an exit strategy does not mean seeking a quick sale: it means building a business whose value is maximisable at the right time. A founder targeting a trade sale in seven years will prioritise strategic complementarity with potential acquirers in product and market decisions. One preparing for a public listing will prioritise reporting quality and earnings predictability. Both approaches are valid — the clarity of the objective is what matters.