Exit Ready: The CEO's Guide to Strategic M&A

5 Weeks

Cohort-based Course

This course helps startup CEOs scale strategically and maximize value by designing for high-impact exits and strategic alternatives.

Exit Ready: The CEO's Guide to Strategic M&A

5 Weeks

Cohort-based Course

This course helps startup CEOs scale strategically and maximize value by designing for high-impact exits and strategic alternatives.

Hosted by

Eran Sandhaus and Doron Simon

Eran Sandhaus and Doron Simon bring decades of strategy and 35+ M&As experience

Eran Sandhaus and Doron Simon

Eran Sandhaus and Doron Simon bring decades of strategy and 35+ M&As experience

Course overview

Cultivate Strategic Growth Mindset towards a High-Value Exit

In this course, you’ll learn how to think like a strategic buyer while building like a visionary founder. You’ll develop a clear understanding of your company’s enterprise value, identify realistic exit paths, and create a roadmap that gives you optionality—not just urgency—when opportunity knocks. Through frameworks, real examples, and live feedback, you’ll leave with a customized Strategic Option Plan and the confidence to lead your company toward the outcome it deserves.

Who is this course for

For founders ready to turn growth into leverage and create real strategic optionality—not just react when a buyer calls.

For CEOs 12–24 months from a raise, exit, or partnership who want to lead with clarity, not scramble under pressure.

For startup leaders who want to build companies that buyers want—without waiting for luck or inbound interest.

For founders ready to turn growth into leverage and create real strategic optionality—not just react when a buyer calls.

For CEOs 12–24 months from a raise, exit, or partnership who want to lead with clarity, not scramble under pressure.

For startup leaders who want to build companies that buyers want—without waiting for luck or inbound interest.

What you’ll get out of this course

Understand M&A as a Growth Strategy – Learn how acquirers think and what makes companies valuable.

Build a Sellable, Scalable Business – Structure your company to attract buyers while remaining fundable.

Avoid Common Pitfalls – Prevent deal-killing mistakes with proactive financial, legal, and operational readiness.

Make Smarter Exit Decisions – Learn when to raise more capital, seek strategic partnerships, or sell.

Gain Strategic Clarity – Build a clear, actionable roadmap that aligns your team, investors, and long-term vision.

Learn how to leverage AI to be your private corp dev

What’s included

Live sessions

Learn directly from Eran Sandhaus & Doron Simon in a real-time, interactive format.

Lifetime access

Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.

Community of peers

Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.

Certificate of completion

Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.

Maven Guarantee

This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.

Course syllabus

5 live sessions • 26 lessons • 5 projects

Week 1

Oct 23—Oct 26

Module 1: Strategic Framing & Founder Pitfalls

6 items

Oct

Classroom 1 - Live Session

Thu 10/236:00 PM—7:00 PM (UTC)

Week 2

Oct 27—Nov 2

Module 2: What Drives Strategic Value

6 items

Oct

Classroom 2 - Live Session

Thu 10/306:00 PM—7:00 PM (UTC)

Week 3

Nov 3—Nov 9

Module 3: Strategic Alternatives & Landscape Mapping

6 items

Nov

Classroom 3 - Live Session

Thu 11/67:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)

Week 4

Nov 10—Nov 16

Module 4: Internal Readiness & Stakeholder Alignment

6 items

Nov

Classroom 4 - Live Session

Thu 11/137:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)

Week 5

Nov 17—Nov 20

Nov

Classroom 5 - Live Session

Thu 11/207:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)

Module 5: Strategic Planning & Optionality Design

7 items

What people are saying

I changed my perspective on several fronts as a result of taking this course! I strongly recommend it for any CEO / Founder, and perhaps earlier in their journeys than they would think

Nils Alstad

CEO, Stridar

Vector M&A taught me to build exit optionality 12-24 months before I need it - Eran and Doron's frameworks gave me an actionable roadmap for strategic preparation that strengthens my company today. Essential for founders who want to create leverage before they're shopping for buyers.

Stealth Startup

CEO

I was skeptical of the value coming in but it was well worth it. Eran and Doron know what they are doing and they care about their work (and you)!

David Rabie

CEO, Tovala

Meet your instructor

Eran Sandhaus

Eran is a venture investor, strategic advisor, and former corporate executive with 25+ years of experience leading innovation, strategy, and M&A.

He’s helped scale companies from early stage through acquisition, and served as a GM/VP and led Corporate Development in multiple global firms.

As Managing Partner at J-Impact and co-founder of Vector M&A, Eran works with founders to align vision with outcomes and turn strategic planning into real-world leverage.

Doron Simon

Doron is a strategy and M&A expert with 30+ years of experience as a general manager, corporate development executive, and trusted advisor to growth-stage startups and public boards.

He’s led teams through acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic pivots across industries and geographies.

Doron brings both structure and deep knowledge to help founders navigate complex decisions and build with the endgame in mind.

Join an upcoming cohort