Event category: Plenary

What does it take to grow a company to exit? We take an introspective deep dive with two prominent entrepreneurs as we explore the intersection of leadership, M&A, personal exits, and mental survival. Hear first hand, the highs and lows of building successful companies, the type of exits and deal structure each founder had, sacrifices, and  personal and professional lessons learned along the way. Learn tips, tricks, and key metrics that all work together in order to see success. This session is guaranteed to offer invaluable insights from those that have gone before, are still standing and more importantly are still building. 

No acquisition is the same, and in this session, leaders will share their personal journeys through a variety of M&A experiences, revealing how they identified the right buyers and tailored their approach based on the type of acquisition. From strategic acquisitions and acqui-hires to partial exits, roll-ups, and carve-outs, learn how to evaluate and aligned with the right partners through first hand accounts.

Discover how artificial intelligence is set to transform the sales and marketing landscape, enabling smarter strategies, personalized customer experiences, and accelerated revenue growth. We’ll delve into upcoming trends, innovative technologies, and actionable insights that will position your business at the forefront of this revolution.

Explore the remarkable journey of Copperleaf, a leader in decision analytics, through the perspective of Judi Hess, the company’s former CEO, along with key players instrumental in its acquisition. Learn how Hess drove the company’s growth by assembling a world-class team, fostering a culture of innovation, and aligning Copperleaf’s strategy to meet critical industry needs. Discover how her visionary leadership and strategic focus, combined with support and collaboration within the company and its advisors culminated in Copperleaf’s CAD 1 billion acquisition by IFS, leveraging its robust valuation, unmatched customer retention, and globally adopted asset management solutions.

Join Greg Malpass, founder of Traction on Demand, in a fireside chat with Brent Holliday of Garibaldi Capital Partners, as they explore the journey to Traction’s 2022 acquisition by Salesforce. Greg shares how he scaled the company from a one-person startup to over 1,200 employees, spun off ventures like Traction Guest, Traction Complete, Traction Rec and Hubbl and built for acquisition. Gain insights into his strategies, the deal process, and lessons learned post-sale.

Unlock the secrets of tech M&A from the buyer’s perspective in this power-packed session. Dive into how leading acquirers scout, evaluate, and close deals, and discover the strategies to position your company as their next must-have target. With actionable insights from top corporate buyers, private equity firms, and venture capitalists, plus audience-driven Q&A, this session will arm you with the knowledge to confidently approach buyers and maximize your sale potential.