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Raise & Exit
Raise and Exit is the podcast for founders navigating the path to raising capital and selling their company. Host Edgar Baum sits down with investors, operators, and dealmakers to unpack the real stories behind successful raises, exits, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're planning to fundraise, considering an exit, or just want to think like an acquirer or investor, this show gives you the insider knowledge to make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Raise & Exit
Raise & Exit Podcast: Episode 14 Kurt Winter & Kevin Salquist
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🎙️ Episode 14 is live! This time we sit down with Kurt Winter and Kevin Salquist, co-founders of Big 7 Ventures, to talk about why essential industrial businesses remain the backbone of the economy — and how continuity-focused investing differs from traditional private equity.
If you’re a founder or owner thinking about succession, this episode offers a clear-eyed perspective on what really drives value in small and mid-market businesses.
What do we cover?
1. Resiliency reveals strength — businesses that weather downturns like 2008 or COVID prove competence and durability, and investors see that as validation.
2. Essential means irreplaceable — plumbing parts, industrial services, and other unseen products are critical no matter the cycle. AI can support operations, but it can’t replace infrastructure.
3. Exhaustion is often the trigger — most owners don’t sell due to lack of vision, but because they’re tired of day-to-day operations. The right partner lets them get back to creativity.
4. Pick partners, not just price — a slightly lower valuation can be worth it if it ensures your people, culture, and business continuity thrive post-sale.
Kurt and Kevin also share how they think about deal structures, culture preservation, and why clean, simple books matter more than polished banker decks.
🎧 Tune in for an operator’s view of continuity investing — and what it means for owners ready to transition without leaving their legacy behind.