New Wave. 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
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