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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:Episode 26 - Why big startups say no with Nitin Kumar
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Most founders believe startup success is about growth, traction, and eventually… an exit. But here’s the reality: thinking about the exit too early can quietly destroy the value you’re trying to build. In this clip from The Raise & Exit Podcast, Nitin Kumar, serial entrepreneur, former M&A leader, and operator across SaaS, AI, and enterprise tech shares hard-earned lessons from 30 years of building, scaling, and exiting companies.
💡In this conversation, Nitin breaks down:
- Why not all revenue is good revenue
- How the wrong customers hurt scalability and valuation
-Why cash flow can become a dangerous trap
- The difference between real traction and fake traction
- What actually drives valuation in SaaS and AI companies
His key message?
Great companies aren’t built by chasing growth at all costs.
They’re built by focusing on quality of customers, revenue, and product usage.
👉🏻Subscribe for more real conversations about startups, valuation, and exits. 💬 Comment below: What’s the hardest “no” you’ve had to say as a founder?