How to Exit a Deep Tech Startup - Matt Jones (Syensqo)

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

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This week, we’re joined by Matt Jones, Managing Partner at Syensqo, to break down one of the toughest challenges in climate tech: how to exit.

With 25 years of experience and a front-row seat to both successful and failed exits, Matt shares:

* How to recognize the right window for exiting

* The biggest red flags in corporate partnerships

* How CVCs think about alignment, strategy, and exits

* What founders get wrong when they pitch to corporations

* How to make deep tech exits work

* … and more!

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⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 Introduction to the episode

* 0:54 Climate Tech Exits 101

* 02:22 Understanding Exit Strategies for Investors

* 04:55 How to assess the exit environment?

* 05:47 The IPO Dream: Are Startups Ready?

* 07:33 Taking a company public as a CVC?

* 08:38 Navigating Acquisitions: Finding Potential Buyers

* 11:23 The Role of Corporates in Exit Strategies

* 13:53 Is it important for founders to have an exit strategy?

* 15:37 Common Mistakes in Engaging with Corporate VCs

* 17:35 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice

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▶️ CONNECT WITH MATT

* Matt Jones – LinkedIn

* Syensqo | Advancing Humanity

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🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

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📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* The Lean Startup – Startup playbook on building fast & learning from customers.

* Syensqo Ventures – Corporate VC backing climate and materials startups.

* Breakthrough Energy Ventures – Climate tech fund backed by Bill Gates.

* M&A – Mergers & acquisitions as startup exits.

* IPOs – Taking a private company public.

* SPACs – A faster alternative to IPOs via shell companies.

* EBITDA & Accretive – Key financials in exit deals.

* Corporate VC (CVC) – Corporates investing in startups.

* Exit Windows – Timing matters for exits.

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🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)

* Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)

* Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)

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💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

* Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climateventuresvco2.substack.com