Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in an insightful meetup organized by eChai and Venture Studio at Ahmedabad University, focused on Startup exits and M&A. The panel featured
Gaurav Barot - CEO, Tridhya Tech Gaurav Barot
  from Tridhya Tech and
Yash Shah - Co-Founder, Clientjoy Yash Shah
  from Clientjoy, skillfully moderated by
Jatin Chaudhary - Salesman, eChai Ventures Jatin Chaudhary
from eChai and myself as a representative from IndiaBizForSale.

The audience comprised a diverse mix of management students, early-stage startup founders, professionals, and seasoned business owners. We delved into valuable discussions on the nuances of M&A experiences, sharing insights from various perspectives.

Clientjoy's recent acquisition by a strategic player and Tridhya Group's strategic acquisitions of nine companies provided rich learning opportunities. As a representative of Indiabizforsale, I had the chance to contribute our experiences, shedding light on exit plans, the pivotal role of investment bankers and outside counsels, dynamics of deal progress, and the strategic timing of exits.

Discussions also touched upon when not to consider an exit, the standard fee structure associated with such activities by investment bankers, and more.

Takeaways from the evening:

1. Team: If you lack previous M&A experience, seek outside counsel to avoid costly mistakes and stay on course during this potential roller coaster event.

2. Unlocking Value: M&A brings definite value unlocking for entrepreneurs, providing a sense of relief as they embark on new beginnings.

3. Role of Clean Bookkeeping and Clear Communication:Transparent communication is vital for sell-sides. Share an accurate company picture to preemptively address any discrepancies that may arise.

4. Reputation Risk: Acquirers, building a fair and forward-looking reputation, attract better deal flow. Unethical tactics may yield short-term wins but jeopardize future opportunities.

5. Due Diligence: The multifaceted Due Diligence (DD) process covers business, HR, financial, legal, tech, IP diligence, and industry-specific areas.

It was truly gratifying to engage with a diverse audience in the thriving Ahmedabad ecosystem, and I'm delighted to be part of the eChai Ventures community. Looking forward to more enriching interactions!

Preferred eChai Business Partners

The eChai Preferred Business Partners program enables businesses more visibility within the eChai Network through an annual subscription.

About eChai Business Partner Program:

Key benefits:

  • Listing on preferred eChai Business Partners page (1 year duration)
  • Engagement at relevant in-person eChai Meetups (~4 meetups/year)
  • Feature on eChai.Ventures

eChai Ventures is a friendly global startup network that hosts engaging Startup Growth meetups in 10+ Countries and enables cross-border collaborations.

You can reach out to Jatin Chaudhary, Co-Founder, eChai Ventures over WhatsApp or over email at [email protected] to explore more about it.