How Founders Use Liquidity Event Etiquette to Maximize Net Proceeds

Episode 56 of The Startup Exit Podcast dives into the overlooked art of liquidity event etiquette — how founders who behave generously and strategically during M&A or IPO processes can increase their net proceeds by millions. Lucas and Luna break down the case of a recent $2.1 billion exit where the founder's first call was to an early employee who had been laid off years earlier. They explain why small gestures like honoring options cliffs, accelerating vesting for key hires, and paying out retention bonuses to non-founders signal trust and lower deal friction. With real data — Rivian's R2 delivery issues and Coinbase's stock jumping 11% in five days — they explore how market context amplifies the value of good behavior. Plus: the hosts share how listener support keeps the podcast ad-free. #FounderExit #LiquidityEvent #MergersAndAcquisitions #IPO #StartupCulture #FounderEtiquette #VestingAcceleration #RetentionBonuses #DealFriction #Rivian #Coinbase #R2Deliveries #BusinessEtiquette #BusinessPodcast #StartupExitPodcast #FexingoBusiness #Fexingo #BusinessAndTechnology Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo