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Garber: Best Portfolio Returns Came from Negotiating Modest Exit Offers

Scott Garber · 9 - Empowering Founders to Win with Early Light Ventures Managing Partner Scott Garber · Dec 5, 2024 · at 10:22

Scott Garber, Managing Partner at Early Light Ventures, explains why founders who negotiate on lower-tier acquisition offers often secure favorable outcomes.

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“And some of the best outcomes that I've had within my portfolio are founders that are like, you know what, the offer is not great, but it's within the bottom end of my range. And since I'm in an opportunistic position, I can come back to them and negotiate and Just be like, here's what I need. Like take it or leave it. And a lot of these companies have some leverage because they don't need a big exit.”

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