Why and How to Develop an Exit Strategy with Touraj Parang

These are the show notes from episode #21 of the  “Shashank Redemption” podcast.

About the Guest – Touraj Parang

MISSION-DRIVEN EXECUTIVE with multi-industry, cross-functional expertise bringing to mass market innovative and delightful technology products and services. Over 20 years of experience launching and scaling technology ventures through focused execution, transformational M&A, and mission-critical strategic partnerships. Established track record of creating outcome-defying ecosystem relationships and helping senior leadership teams excel at small, high-growth startups as well as at public companies, leveraging extensive strategy, high-stakes transaction negotiation, and operating experience:

* Led 8 transformational acquisitions and key strategic partnerships during my 7-year tenure as a corporate development executive at GoDaddy.

* Co-founded and drove product positioning, growth strategy, venture capital, debt financing, and the exit sale of 3 venture-backed startups to strategic acquirers as a senior executive.

* Authored a bestselling book Exit Path, on startup strategy and acquisitions to share the lessons I have learned in the past 23 years in Silicon Valley as a serial entrepreneur, technology executive, venture capitalist, and corporate attorney.

* Provided mentorship and strategic guidance to hundreds of entrepreneurs as an angel investor, venture capitalist, Board member, and strategy advisor.

Episode Summary

We’ve got a real treat for you on this episode of Shashank Redemption. Our esteemed guest, Touraj Parang, a veteran entrepreneur, investor advisor, and M&A specialist, sheds light on his captivating journey leading to his current role at Serve Robotics. As part of a company that emerged from Uber’s innovation and is now an autonomous venture-backed entity, Thouraj is at the forefront of revolutionizing urban delivery with self-driving solutions for giants like Postmates, Uber Eats, and Delivery Hero.

In an enlightening dialogue, we pivot to Touraj’s book, ExitBath – your quintessential guide to triumphantly exiting a startup. He generously pulls from his own experience of founding Jackster and the eventual scramble to exit during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. This part of the session is a goldmine for entrepreneurs as Touraj identifies the common blunders and shares best practices that pave the way to success.

The episode further captures the essence of how philosophy molds Touraj’s perspective toward entrepreneurship and startup exits. He emphasizes the significance of decision hygiene principles, establishing an ecosystem strategy, and the role of processes and frameworks to steer entrepreneurs away from intuition-based decision-making and towards a more factual approach. If you’re traversing the startup landscape, this episode is your guide to formulating an effective exit strategy, understanding the long haul, and the surprising ways a liberal arts background can enrich your entrepreneurial journey. Join us as we unravel the profound connection between philosophy and entrepreneurship with Touraj Parang.

Resources:

Watch autonomous delivery by a Serve Robot

Amazon.com link to Touraj’s Book – Exit Path, How to Win the Startup End Game