E3: Chris Bakke on Negotiating with Elon Musk and Setting Up An M&A from Day One (3x exits)

Ever wonder what it's like to get a call from Elon Musk, wanting to buy your company?

In this episode, Sasha sits down with serial entrepreneur Chris Bakke to find out. Chris is the co-founder behind several successful startups, including Laskie, which was acquired by Elon Musk's X, and Interviewed, acquired by Indeed. Chris shares insights on: building a content-driven growth strategy as a founder that's led to his 200k+ follower base, navigating the M&A process and negotiating a deal directly with Musk, transitioning from founder to his current role in building X's job search platform, and much more.

This show is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns

Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,

Spotify

Apple

📈 ECON 102 W/ NOAH SMITH - Keeping econ entertaining - Noahpinion author Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg break down business news and politics every week.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mos4VE3figVXleHDqfXOH

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812https://podcasts.apple.com/id1753399812

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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

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X/Twitter:

@sashaorloff (Sasha)

@chrisjbakke (Chris)

@turpentinemedia

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Chris Bakke Intro

(02:49) Laskie and what got Chris excited about it

(04:03) Content as a growth strategy

(07:29) How Chris found his content voice

(12:50) What’s the next thing in content

(19:32) Best practices as a founder to set up M&A as a future path

(24:36) Getting Indeed as a partner, investor, and acquirer of Interviewed

(26:51) Laskie’s M&A Story

(29:13) How Chris ended up talking to Elon about Laskie and Twitter recruiting

(35:11) What Chris would’ve done differently at Indeed

(37:12) Common mistakes and misconceptions during the M&A process

(45:00) Chris’ most memorable X post, not of his own

(46:22) Wrap