Linda Abraham, founder of comScore and current head of Crimson Capital, shares her remarkable journey as a top entrepreneur and devoted mother of four. She reflects on her first business exit, achieving a massive 5X return in just two years. Linda discusses the emotional landscape of business transitions, surviving the dot-com crash, and the evolution of her companies. She emphasizes balancing motherhood with professional success, nurturing values in her children, and her shift towards holistic health and investment strategies.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
First Exit Success Story
Linda Abraham sold her first company, Peregrine Technologies, after just two and a half years.
The exit delivered a 5x return to investors and was a moment of great excitement and accomplishment for her.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Comscore's Startup Origins
Linda and her husband started Comscore in 1999 with a vision to become the Nielsen of the internet.
They secured $26 million valuation with just an idea and a 26-page PowerPoint without a product or employees.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Startup Frugality Saves Company
Be extremely scrappy with startup capital, especially during capital-intensive growth phases.
Frugality helped Linda's company survive the 2000 internet crash when many clients went out of business.
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Linda Abraham is one of the most extraordinary women I’ve ever met. She’s in a class of her own.She’s been navigating the post-exit world for 28 years, ever since her first exit.And what an exit it was: a 5X return to investors in just two years!She went on to lead her second company, comScore, from founding to IPO—building it into a global powerhouse in digital analytics, with offices in 23 countries.Today, Linda runs Crimson Capital, investing her family’s money in early-stage tech companies, and serves on several boards, including Tiger 21.But what blows me away most is that she built all of this while raising four children—and thoughtfully nurturing deep, loving relationships with each of them.This episode is about an extraordinary entrepreneur who managed to do it all—and built a life that’s not just financially successful, but deeply, holistically fulfilling.There is so much we can all learn from her!_____________________________________________________00:00 - Introduction and reflections on Linda’s first business exit 03:34 - Selling Peregrine Technologies and emotional response 04:36 - Starting the next venture and skills assessment 05:55 - Creating comScore and early funding story 08:11 - Frugality and surviving the dot-com crash 10:30 - Pivot to audience measurement and analytics 11:36 - Selling data to financial institutions like Citadel 11:59 - IPO and financial outcomes for the team 13:00 - Motivations beyond money and public company growth 14:01 - Leaving comScore and reflections on career satisfaction 15:10 - Post-exit transition and board work 17:09 - Realizing need for a break and pulling back from overcommitment 18:19 - Shift to board advisory roles and family balance 18:49 - Motherhood and managing with four children 20:09 - Family-first values and support system 21:48 - Daily decision-making and sacrifices 24:49 - Health and lifestyle improvements post-exit 27:25 - Transitioning from entrepreneur to investor 29:01 - Challenges in board work and mindset shifts 31:18 - Finding joy and variety in board roles 33:42 - Investing in second-time founders and founder motivations 38:15 - Raising children with wealth and aligned values 40:50 - Reflections on adult children and family discussions 43:07 - Delaying wealth conversations and individual approaches 46:21 - Continuing involvement in husband’s new startup 48:04 - Evolving motivations and contribution style 49:42 - Creating balance through mindful time management 52:45 - Focus on impact and strategic contribution 56:12 - Mentorship, support, and satisfaction in giving back 57:60 - Work, family, community: expanded arc of purpose 59:58 - How Linda wants to be remembered 01:01:14 - Conclusion and farewell
Exit Paradox