Common Questions After a Startup Exit

A little over two weeks ago ExactTarget acquired Pardot (see ExactTarget and Pardot Join Forces) and things have been a blur ever since with congratulatory phone calls, in-person meetings to tell the back story, and kind email notes. Throughout it all there have been a number of common questions that have repeatedly come up.

Here are common questions founders get asked after a startup exit:

• Did you approach them or did they approach you?
• Was it a competitive bidding situation?
• Why did they pay the valuation they paid?
• Did you think the business would sell for that amount?
• How long did the acquisition process take?
• How stressful was it?
• What did your family think when they found out?
• What are you going to do to celebrate?
• What are you going to splurge on?
• What are you going to buy your spouse as a thank you gift?
• What’s next?

There has been a number of other questions but these were the most common. Selling a business is an emotional experience and it’s fun to talk through the details.

What else? What are some other common questions for a founder after the sale of the business?