StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Jul 17, 2023 · 22m · founders-journal

Preparing for Acquisition w/ Our Future

Michael Sikand · 10m spoken Simran Sandhu · 7m spoken Alex Lieberman · 2m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

Our Future co-founders Michael Sikand and Simran Sandhu guest host Founders Journal to unpack their journey of building a viral Gen Z media brand and selling it to Morning Brew. They deliver an actionable playbook covering when to sell, how to get on acquirers' radars, deal negotiation tactics, and the realities of post-acquisition intrapreneurship.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Alex holds 11.4% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Alex as informed peer 0.0 Guest teaching 0.0 Guest disagreement 0.0 Alex pushing back 0.0
05100:0010:0020:002:39–5:52 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 Why and When to Sell a Business Michael and Simran deliver a collaborative guest-takeover monologue breaking down the main reasons founders decide to sell a business. The host is not present during the segment, resulting in zero host involvement or pushback.5:53–7:58 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 Recognizing Industry Limits and Identifying Acquirers Simran and Michael discuss the structural limits of media business models and list potential buyer archetypes like strategic acquirers and private equity. The segment is purely educational and scripted between the two co-hosts without host interaction.7:58–11:26 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 Strategies to Get on an Acquirer's Radar The guests outline tactical approaches to getting acquired by turning prospective buyers into clients and stakeholders first. With no host presence, the dialogue is cooperative and advice-driven.11:26–16:43 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 Navigating Deal Negotiations and Acqui-Hire Realities Michael and Simran explain deal execution hurdles, the necessity of credentialed advisors, and setting hard term-sheet timelines. The presentation remains completely harmonious between the two founders.16:48–19:30 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 Post-Acquisition Realities: Unlocking Synergies and Intrapreneurship The co-hosts discuss the friction of post-acquisition intrapreneurship, navigating internal corporate processes, and leveraging parent company resources. No host is present to contest or direct the conversation.19:31–22:38 · Alex as informed peer 0/10 The Future of Our Future and Podcast Launch The guests summarize their growth under Morning Brew and promote the launch of their new podcast show. The segment serves as collaborative self-promotion and wrap-up.2:39–5:52 · Guest teaching 0/10 Why and When to Sell a Business Michael and Simran deliver a collaborative guest-takeover monologue breaking down the main reasons founders decide to sell a business. The host is not present during the segment, resulting in zero host involvement or pushback.5:53–7:58 · Guest teaching 0/10 Recognizing Industry Limits and Identifying Acquirers Simran and Michael discuss the structural limits of media business models and list potential buyer archetypes like strategic acquirers and private equity. The segment is purely educational and scripted between the two co-hosts without host interaction.7:58–11:26 · Guest teaching 0/10 Strategies to Get on an Acquirer's Radar The guests outline tactical approaches to getting acquired by turning prospective buyers into clients and stakeholders first. With no host presence, the dialogue is cooperative and advice-driven.11:26–16:43 · Guest teaching 0/10 Navigating Deal Negotiations and Acqui-Hire Realities Michael and Simran explain deal execution hurdles, the necessity of credentialed advisors, and setting hard term-sheet timelines. The presentation remains completely harmonious between the two founders.16:48–19:30 · Guest teaching 0/10 Post-Acquisition Realities: Unlocking Synergies and Intrapreneurship The co-hosts discuss the friction of post-acquisition intrapreneurship, navigating internal corporate processes, and leveraging parent company resources. No host is present to contest or direct the conversation.19:31–22:38 · Guest teaching 0/10 The Future of Our Future and Podcast Launch The guests summarize their growth under Morning Brew and promote the launch of their new podcast show. The segment serves as collaborative self-promotion and wrap-up.2:39–5:52 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Why and When to Sell a Business Michael and Simran deliver a collaborative guest-takeover monologue breaking down the main reasons founders decide to sell a business. The host is not present during the segment, resulting in zero host involvement or pushback.5:53–7:58 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Recognizing Industry Limits and Identifying Acquirers Simran and Michael discuss the structural limits of media business models and list potential buyer archetypes like strategic acquirers and private equity. The segment is purely educational and scripted between the two co-hosts without host interaction.7:58–11:26 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Strategies to Get on an Acquirer's Radar The guests outline tactical approaches to getting acquired by turning prospective buyers into clients and stakeholders first. With no host presence, the dialogue is cooperative and advice-driven.11:26–16:43 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Navigating Deal Negotiations and Acqui-Hire Realities Michael and Simran explain deal execution hurdles, the necessity of credentialed advisors, and setting hard term-sheet timelines. The presentation remains completely harmonious between the two founders.16:48–19:30 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Post-Acquisition Realities: Unlocking Synergies and Intrapreneurship The co-hosts discuss the friction of post-acquisition intrapreneurship, navigating internal corporate processes, and leveraging parent company resources. No host is present to contest or direct the conversation.19:31–22:38 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Future of Our Future and Podcast Launch The guests summarize their growth under Morning Brew and promote the launch of their new podcast show. The segment serves as collaborative self-promotion and wrap-up.2:39–5:52 · Alex pushing back 0/10 Why and When to Sell a Business Michael and Simran deliver a collaborative guest-takeover monologue breaking down the main reasons founders decide to sell a business. The host is not present during the segment, resulting in zero host involvement or pushback.5:53–7:58 · Alex pushing back 0/10 Recognizing Industry Limits and Identifying Acquirers Simran and Michael discuss the structural limits of media business models and list potential buyer archetypes like strategic acquirers and private equity. The segment is purely educational and scripted between the two co-hosts without host interaction.7:58–11:26 · Alex pushing back 0/10 Strategies to Get on an Acquirer's Radar The guests outline tactical approaches to getting acquired by turning prospective buyers into clients and stakeholders first. With no host presence, the dialogue is cooperative and advice-driven.11:26–16:43 · Alex pushing back 0/10 Navigating Deal Negotiations and Acqui-Hire Realities Michael and Simran explain deal execution hurdles, the necessity of credentialed advisors, and setting hard term-sheet timelines. The presentation remains completely harmonious between the two founders.16:48–19:30 · Alex pushing back 0/10 Post-Acquisition Realities: Unlocking Synergies and Intrapreneurship The co-hosts discuss the friction of post-acquisition intrapreneurship, navigating internal corporate processes, and leveraging parent company resources. No host is present to contest or direct the conversation.19:31–22:38 · Alex pushing back 0/10 The Future of Our Future and Podcast Launch The guests summarize their growth under Morning Brew and promote the launch of their new podcast show. The segment serves as collaborative self-promotion and wrap-up.

speaking balance: gold is Alex, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Alex 88.6% · guest 11.4%0:00 · Alex 88.6% · guest 11.4%3:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%3:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%6:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%6:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%9:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%9:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%12:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%12:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%15:00 · Alex 2% · guest 98%15:00 · Alex 2% · guest 98%18:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%18:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%21:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%21:00 · Alex 0% · guest 100%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 2:45 Audience hijacking banter

In an entirely cooperative guest takeover episode, Michael jokingly remarks that they are giving a masterclass on hijacking someone else's audience.

 Hardest push from Alex ▶ 0:30 Host self-critique on listener fatigue

Since the host does not interview the guests directly during the episode, the closest moment of pushback is Alex playfully questioning whether listeners are tired of hearing his voice.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 14:00 M&A negotiation leverage lessons

Michael and Simran break down the psychological dynamics of acquisition negotiations, explaining why showing desperation erodes leverage and how strict deadlines de-risk deals.

 Alex holds their own ▶ 1:10 Lieberman framing Gen Z media dynamics

Alex demonstrates his domain expertise in digital media by comparing the Our Future founders' journey directly to his early experience building Morning Brew.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicAlex as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementAlex pushing backWhy
Why and When to Sell a Business 0000 Michael and Simran deliver a collaborative guest-takeover monologue breaking down the main reasons founders decide to sell a business. The host is not present during the segment, resulting in zero host involvement or pushback.
Recognizing Industry Limits and Identifying Acquirers 0000 Simran and Michael discuss the structural limits of media business models and list potential buyer archetypes like strategic acquirers and private equity. The segment is purely educational and scripted between the two co-hosts without host interaction.
Strategies to Get on an Acquirer's Radar 0000 The guests outline tactical approaches to getting acquired by turning prospective buyers into clients and stakeholders first. With no host presence, the dialogue is cooperative and advice-driven.
Navigating Deal Negotiations and Acqui-Hire Realities 0000 Michael and Simran explain deal execution hurdles, the necessity of credentialed advisors, and setting hard term-sheet timelines. The presentation remains completely harmonious between the two founders.
Post-Acquisition Realities: Unlocking Synergies and Intrapreneurship 0000 The co-hosts discuss the friction of post-acquisition intrapreneurship, navigating internal corporate processes, and leveraging parent company resources. No host is present to contest or direct the conversation.
The Future of Our Future and Podcast Launch 0000 The guests summarize their growth under Morning Brew and promote the launch of their new podcast show. The segment serves as collaborative self-promotion and wrap-up.

Statements from this episode (9)

Assertion Not checkable as stated
Sikand: Our Future generated peak revenue during Morning Brew acquisition talks
“I think by the time that We approached the end of our talks with Morning Brew. Our company was generating more revenue than it ever had.”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 4:00
Insight
Sikand: Short-form video businesses are unsustainable without owned audience
“The space we were operating in, short form video, is a very challenging category to be in, right? You don't control the views. You don't control the audience. And you're built atop these layers of social media platforms. So it's very hard to have A sustainable…”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 5:09
Insight
Sandhu: Ad-dependent media businesses have significant caps due to volatile revenue
“However, over time, you realize that there is a pretty significant cap to this model. You're primarily dependent on advertising, which can be, you know, volatile and fluctuate. You'll have really, really good months. You're going to have bad months. It's hard …”
Simran Sandhu Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 6:02
Assertion Supported
Sandhu: HubSpot acquired The Hustle specifically for lead generation and customer acquisition
“Another example of this we've seen play out in the media space is HubSpot buying The Hustle, right? It's a big SaaS company, and The Hustle provided this opportunity for lead gen and customer acquisition”
Simran Sandhu Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 7:22
Insight
Sikand: Best exit strategy is turning ideal acquirers into customers first
“In my opinion, the best thing you can do to position your company for an exit is to turn your ideal acquirer into your customer somehow, or a stakeholder in some sense.”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 7:58
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Sikand: Our Future campaigns drove tens of thousands of Morning Brew subscribers
“These deals that Morning Brew did with our future in the fall of 21 ended up driving tens of thousands of new Morning Brew subscribers.”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 9:37
Insight
Sikand: Buyers lose urgency if founders appear desperate to sell
“If companies sense that you are desperate or you're actually very for an acquisition, the urgency is, is less there.”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 14:19
Opinion
Sikand: Most startup acquisitions are structured as acqui-hires
“It is very rare that a company is acquired without some kind of aqua hire structure, right?”
Michael Sikand Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 15:40
Insight
Sandhu: Acquirers' leadership approving a deal does not prevent internal corporate resistance
“Just because the key decision makers like the deal does not mean everyone in the company will like you, what you're doing, or you may just be competitive to them in some way, shape, or form, right?”
Simran Sandhu Jul 17, 2023 ▶ 18:48
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 200 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more