Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 2/5

Lowenhar: Startup Acquisitions Are Driven by Internal Champions, Not Companies

Jonathan Lowenhar · How a great founder becomes a great CEO | Jonathan Lowenhar (co-founder of Enjoy The Work) · Dec 5, 2024 · at 31:23

Jonathan Lowenhar, co-founder of Enjoy The Work, explains the 'Magic Box Paradigm' for early-stage startup M&A.

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“You don't sell to a company. Magic box is about finding the person. You're finding the champion on the other side. The person who has motivated for their own reasons, career, money, reputation, what have you, they see the fantasy, they fall in love.”

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