Raise and Exit 33: Alex Marr & Alan Giles. How are startups scaling in the AI era?

RnE037 - Holli Moeini

Why Most Business Owners Get Bad Exit De What really happens when you sell a company? In this episode of the Raise and Exit Podcast, we sit down with Holli Moeini to unpack the realities behind EBITDA, deal structures, private equity, working capital, earn-outs, and the hidden “missing millions” that founders often overlook during an exit. This isn’t the polished version of M&A you usually hear online. It’s the real conversation:  👉 why EBITDA can mislead both buyers and sellers how poor deal structure destroys value  👉 why most founders are emotionally unprepared to sell  👉 how integration and change management can quietly impair value after closing  👉 and why selling a business is far more human than financial.  From private equity roll-ups to earn-out traps, tax surprises, due diligence fatigue, and the emotional weight of exiting a company you built from scratch — this episode dives into the parts of M&A that almost nobody talks about. One of the biggest takeaways: “You are not in the business of selling your company.”  If you’re a founder, operator, investor, or advisor thinking about raising capital, buying a company, or preparing for an eventual exit, this conversation is packed with insights that can save years of mistakes — and potentially millions of dollars. Topi s covered:  * EBITDA myths and misconceptions  * Working capital risks  *  Earn-outs and performance clauses  * Private equity acquisition strategies  *  Financial storytelling in M&A  * Due diligence mistakes  * Seller psychology and emotions during exits  * Human-centered integration after acquisitions  * Why preparation years before an exit matters.  * Featuring: 📘 Missing Millions author Holli Moeini

RnE036 Jonathan Taylor & Ganesh Harinath

🚀 Building a startup to sell into enterprise sounds exciting… until you realize how hard it actually is. In this episode of Raise and Exit, we sit down with Ganesh (CEO) and Jonathan Taylor (CBO) from Fiducia AI—two operators who have built inside enterprise and are now building startups for it.  💥 What they share is real, practical insight most founders miss:  ✨ Why having a great product is NOT enough to win enterprise deals  🤝 How partnerships (like IBM & Shopify) unlock growth faster than going solo  ⚡ Why speed matters more than ever (think: live deployments in 48 hours)  👀 Who really makes decisions vs. who signs the check  🌍 How AI is shifting from hype to real customer experience  🔥 The biggest takeaway? It’s not about building everything yourself anymore. The winners are those who plug into ecosystems and move faster than everyone else.  🎯 If you’re a founder, investor, or operator navigating growth in today’s market—this episode is for you.  🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on fundraising, scaling, and exits  💬 Comment: Would you build for enterprise… or go around it?

Raise and Exit 35 with Muckai Girish: Raising Capital in 2026: What Investors Actually Care About

In this episode of Raise and Exit, we sit down with Girish Muckai, a seasoned operator with decades of experience across telecom, AI startups, and enterprise tech, to unpack what’s really changing in the world of fundraising — and what hasn’t. If you think raising capital today is just about having a great idea, think again. From the rise of AI and faster product cycles to shifting investor expectations, this conversation dives deep into what it actually takes to raise and deploy capital in 2026.  We explore why teams matter more than products, how AI is lowering barriers but increasing competition, and why enterprise buyers won’t switch unless the pain is real. Girish also shares powerful lessons from over 20 years in nonprofit fundraising — where money follows impact, trust, and clarity of vision.  💡 The big takeaway? Whether you're raising venture capital or funding a mission, people invest when they clearly understand the value, the outcome, and the people behind it. If you’re a founder, operator, or investor navigating today’s fast-changing landscape, this episode will challenge how you think about building, selling, and raising.

Raise and Exit 34: Gabriel Jarrosson, 🚀The Top 2% of the Top 1%: How Elite Founders Think About Failure, Growth & Saying No What does it really take to win in venture?

Not just being in the top 1%… but in the top 2% of the top 1% 🚀 In this episode, we sit down with Gabriel Jarrosson, founder of Lobster Capital, to break down how elite investors think, how founders should approach failure, and why saying no might be your biggest competitive advantage.  💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:  🔥 Why failure isn’t optional—and how the best founders use it as a signal  📈 The truth about growth: if you’re not growing ~10% month over month… are you already failing?  💰 “There’s revenue… and then there’s revenue” → how to spot bad revenue early  🧠 Why founders are often their own biggest bottleneck (and how to fix it)  ❌ The underrated superpower: learning when to say NO (to ideas, distractions, even opportunities)  ⚖️ Working in your business vs working on your business—from day one  🤖 AI, YC, and the rise of billion-dollar opportunities in “boring” industries  🎯 Why “make something people want” is still the ultimate playbook This episode goes beyond tactics—it’s about mindset, discipline, and how to think like the top founders in the world  🌍 If you’re building, scaling, or thinking about raising… this one is a must-watch.

Raise and Exit 33: Alex Marr & Alan Giles. How are startups scaling in the AI era?

In this episode of Raise & Exit, Alan Giles and Alex Ma from Fractional Execs break down how founders can scale companies smarter using fractional leadership, better sales strategy, and clearer positioning. Building a startup today isn’t just about hiring bigger teams or raising more venture capital. The most effective founders are focusing on expertise, impact-driven sales, and strategic execution to grow faster while keeping burn rates under control. If you're a startup founder, investor, or operator, this conversation will challenge the traditional way companies think about scaling.  💡 In this episode we cover: Why founders should stop focusing on just one metric like revenue  👥 The rise of fractional executives and why startups are using them more  🎯 Why sales is no longer a numbers game — it's an impact game  🧠 How understanding your ICP and buyer personas drives growth  🤖 The real role of AI in scaling startups ⚡ How founders can access C-level expertise without full-time hires  🔎 Why differentiation matters more than claiming your startup is “unique”  🎧 About Raise & Exit Raise & Exit is a podcast where founders, investors, and operators share insights about building, scaling, fundraising, and exiting companies in today’s startup ecosystem. If you're building a startup or investing in the next generation of companies, this podcast is for you.  🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and startup leaders.