How to Exit a Deep Tech Startup - Matt Jones (Syensqo)

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***This week, we’re joined by Matt Jones, Managing Partner at Syensqo, to break down one of the toughest challenges in climate tech: how to exit.With 25 years of experience and a front-row seat to both successful and failed exits, Matt shares:* How to recognize the right window for exiting* The biggest red flags in corporate partnerships* How CVCs think about alignment, strategy, and exits* What founders get wrong when they pitch to corporations* How to make deep tech exits work* … and more! ***⌛TIMESTAMPS * 00:00 Introduction to the episode* 0:54 Climate Tech Exits 101* 02:22 Understanding Exit Strategies for Investors* 04:55 How to assess the exit environment?* 05:47 The IPO Dream: Are Startups Ready?* 07:33 Taking a company public as a CVC?* 08:38 Navigating Acquisitions: Finding Potential Buyers* 11:23 The Role of Corporates in Exit Strategies* 13:53 Is it important for founders to have an exit strategy?* 15:37 Common Mistakes in Engaging with Corporate VCs* 17:35 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice***▶️ CONNECT WITH MATT* Matt Jones – LinkedIn* Syensqo | Advancing Humanity***🔗 CONNECT WITH ME * Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/* Email - [email protected]* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch***📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS* The Lean Startup – Startup playbook on building fast & learning from customers.* Syensqo Ventures – Corporate VC backing climate and materials startups.* Breakthrough Energy Ventures – Climate tech fund backed by Bill Gates.* M&A – Mergers & acquisitions as startup exits.* IPOs – Taking a private company public.* SPACs – A faster alternative to IPOs via shell companies.* EBITDA & Accretive – Key financials in exit deals.* Corporate VC (CVC) – Corporates investing in startups.* Exit Windows – Timing matters for exits.*** 🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE* Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)* Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)* Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)***💚 LEAVE A REVIEW * Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg * Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climateventuresvco2.substack.com