Onward, a Fundrise Production cover image

Onward, a Fundrise Production

43: Sell your tech company for $310M or $30B, with Auren Hoffman

Jan 16, 2025
Auren Hoffman, a serial tech entrepreneur and CEO of SafeGraph, shares his insights from nearly 30 years in Silicon Valley. He reflects on the challenges of selling LiveRamp for $310M and the complexities of entrepreneurial decision-making. The conversation dives into the evolution of tech from the 90s to AI, emphasizing how AI can enhance creativity and productivity. Auren also discusses the changing landscape of networking, the complexities of venture capital, and how marketing shapes societal perceptions of value.
01:00:52

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Auren Hoffman reflects on the emotional and financial motivations behind selling LiveRamp, realizing it was a more resilient company than initially perceived.
  • The significance of a strong, dedicated team is emphasized, with insights on how difficult it can be to reconstruct company culture after changes in personal life.

Deep dives

Reflecting on a Major Business Decision

The speaker discusses the decision to sell LiveRamp for $310 million in 2014, expressing regret over it in hindsight. Personal circumstances played a significant role, as the financial security gained from the sale alleviated monetary worries, especially with young children at home. Additionally, the speaker came to realize that the business was more valuable and resilient than initially perceived, leading to the belief that they likely sold it too early. This reflection not only highlights the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship but also the unpredictability of business valuations over time.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode