Book an Appointment
Google Founders Story – Exit Story Edition
Google hosted its exciting Founders Story event in Zurich on November 28, 2024. I’m a fan of these events as they show how differently each founder experiences their company launch, the challenges they faced, what they learned and what advice they can pass on.
This edition was particularly notable as it focused on something that is not usually talked about: the exit! The event was moderated by Hans Tran, Industry Lead Digital Native at Google, and gave insights into the journeys of startup founders, particularly their experiences with their exits and new business partners.
The panellists included:
- Hermann Arnold | Co-Founder & former CEO | umantis
- Ben Simon | Founder & former COO | VAY
- Nikos Kariotoglou | Co-Founder & former CEO | Seervision
Maxim Salomon from Google, who serves as Lead Technical Program Manager for Strategic Programs in Security & Privacy related to M&A, was also on stage, sharing his valuable insights on navigating acquisitions at Google.
The discussions revolved around the nitty-gritty of preparing for successful exits, including the ins and outs of mergers and acquisitions. The panellists shared what to consider when deciding whether to pursue an exit strategy or continue building their business. It was a very interesting and intensive insight into the crossroads that many entrepreneurs find themselves at, and also into a topic that completely depends on where someone wants to go with their company and is therefore also very personal.
As always, networking was another highlight of the evening. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle with the founders on stage and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, exchanging stories and experiences over some great food & drinks.
I’m looking forward to the next Founders Story events in 2025, where there will hopefully be a bit more diversity on stage!
Sign up for the next one here: https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/the-founders-story
