What Capital Actually Rewards: Building for Strategic and Financial Buyers in 2026 

Today's founders face a dramatically different funding and transaction environment than they did just a few years ago. Strategic buyers, private equity firms, venture investors, and lenders are evaluating opportunities through different lenses, often rewarding different characteristics within a business. This discussion explores what makes companies attractive to investors and acquirers, how expectations have evolved, and what founders should focus on if they want to create future strategic optionality.