When considering whether to sell their company, founders should look for these key signals. A recent panel discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 highlighted the importance of recognizing when it's time to exit. Two-time founder Naveen Rao and head of data clean rooms at Snowflake Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan shared their experiences selling two companies each. They emphasized that while some founders may start with the intention of building a successful company, others may need to adapt and consider an acquisition.

Key signals to look out for include:

* Product traction: Is the product loved by customers? If not, it might be time to pivot or sell.
* Sales performance: Are sales cycles challenging? This could indicate difficulties in completing deals.
* Financial health: Is money and runway running low? If so, it's likely time to explore a sale.

Dharmesh Thakker, general partner at Battery Ventures, highlighted a three-point framework for evaluating whether to sell:

1. Product traction
2. Sales performance
3. Financial health

He emphasized the importance of considering not just the founders' and investors' interests but also those of employees in any potential acquisition.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/01/when-to-sell-your-company-look-for-these-signals/