The Big Exit Show Peak

Today’s episode, is a fascinating tale of ambition, strategy, and the significance of timing in the business world. With us are our insightful guest, Magnus Jern from TAPP Water.
Magnus, a serial entrepreneur with a tech and human-centric design background, took the challenge of changing consumer behaviour head-on with the creation of TAPP Water. A company dedicated to reducing plastic waste by providing a convenient solution to tap water filtration.
Our conversation with Magnus reveals his journey from celebrating Tap Water’s first online sale to the eventual acquisition by Blue Water Group. With a deep dive into the strategies that led to 80% of their sales being organic and 20-30% of new customers coming through referrals.We'll discuss the pivotal moments like launching on Amazon, emphasizing convenience over sustainability, and the importance of hiring adaptable problem-solvers for a mission-oriented startup.
Beyond the numbers, Magnus shares with us the intricacies of leading a company to be acquisition-ready. From raising funds and facing rejections to choosing the right moment to sell, informed by a past experience that taught him the cost of greed.So don't miss out as we uncover the mix of timing, luck, and the critical role of preparation when navigating the sales process.
We will talk about:
00:00 Experience makes talent attraction and acquisition easier.04:23 Successful tech entrepreneur transitions to impact space.07:39 Challenging journey to live eco-friendly lives.11:43 Building a sustainable, valuable business is key.13:51 Overcoming challenges in hardware, hiring struggles.18:53 Tech space easy to raise money, hardware challenges.19:50 Investment criteria limited, importance of right questions.23:56 Reluctantly took over business due to challenges.26:55 Seeking opportunities by keeping communication channels open.29:32 Buyer role during pitch calls essential preparation.35:21 Having clear goals can be life-changing.36:23 Embracing career change, learning from diverse experiences.Get to know Magnus Jern: Founder/co-founder of 7 companies, including 4 successful exits. Pioneer and thought leader in mobile apps, clean water technology, innovation and human centric design. Currently, fully involved in the mission of TAPP Water to reduce human impact on the planet by providing clean, tasty tap water to everyone in affordable and sustainable ways. My previous startup Golden Gekko became the leading mobile app developer in the world within 5 years from its inception. We continue to drive the mobile transformation journey at DMI (new owner) combining human-centric design with modern IT. Infrequent speaker at conferences around the world, including Mobile World Congress. Like: Understanding problems and working with experts to solve, implement and see the resultsDon't like: Talk without actionMotto: Let's get things done! https://www.linkedin.com/in/magnusjern/
The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.
Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at podcast@peak.capital. 

Welcome back to The Big Exit Show! I'm Johan, and with me is Anke, and today, we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurial grit and personal triumph with our guest, Gerrit. From his days as a Royal Marine to the challenging world of banking, Gerrit's story is a compelling tale of transition, embodying resilience and determination.
In this special episode, we uncover the inception of Appical, Gerrit's brainchild, borne from his marine experience and onto the demanding tech landscape. We'll explore how his unique approach to customer relationships and financing helped scale the company and navigate international expansion.
Gerrit doesn't shy away from discussing the tougher times—raising funds, surmounting cultural shifts, co-founder dynamics, and the mental toll it took on him. We'll delve into the lessons learned from the stressful and hostile environment that led to his difficult exit from the company he passionately built.
Post-exit, Gerrit faced an intense period of recovery, choosing personal well-being over legal battles. Now, living life on his terms, he imparts those hard-earned insights, revealing the gift within the challenge—finding growth in struggle.
For startup founders, Gerrit's story offers valuable guidance on adding value, smart hiring, and charting your path with a mindfulness toward the dynamics of your team and potential future exits. So buckle up for a truly enlightening journey as Gerrit shares the roller coaster ride that has now transitioned into teaching and consulting, shaping his profound message for entrepreneurs everywhere. Stay tuned, and let's learn how to navigate the complexities of building and exiting a company, the Gerrit way.
 We will talk about: 
00:00 Grit and resilience crucial for successful founders.05:21 Military induction, transformation, completion, reevaluation, departure decision.09:45 Founding mobile learning app despite investment business.13:37 Working with big brands, intense meetings frustration.17:31 Received letter about shareholder meeting, solved problem.21:45 Close customer relationship, upfront payment, cash flow.23:42 Transition from Harriet to Hank, building relationships.28:53 International expansion required customer and product scalability.33:11 Seeking market leadership, secured funding, expanded into Europe.35:38 Unfavorable work environment led to colleague's exit.39:27 Exit from company, loss of control, burnout.43:32 Prepare for exit while building your business.46:09 Chose to exit legal battle, faced consequences.52:03 "Adding value, hire right, create roadmap, coach."55:41 Entrepreneur's personal story, struggles, and leadership reflection.Get to know Gerrit better:Born and raised in Bolsworth within a Frisian community, Gerrit harbored an unwavering aspiration from a young age to join the Royal Marines. And now  a business builder and a team enabler. He is an active interim manager for tech startups and scaleups and as an interim HR specialist for employee onboarding & retention. Furthermore, he specialised in data analytics to support data-driven initiatives in the candidate & employee journey. Want to have contact with Gerrit you can do that through his LinkedInThis is his book
The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.
Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at podcast@peak.capital. 

In this episode from "The Big Exit Show" we have the privilege of speaking with Marcus Laube, a true paragon of business acumen and perseverance. His is a journey from salvaging a company on the brink of collapse to steering it towards a prosperous and strategic acquisition.Marcus' story begins with a bold decision to buy out a bankrupt company, armed only with resourcefulness and an unwavering conviction in the obsolescence of paper invoices. From the modest initial financing through the sale of second-hand furniture to its impressive turnaround and Nordic acquisition, Marcus's tenure laid the groundwork for a new venture, conceived in the shadow of the financial downturn and subsequent market adversities.
We explore the network effect that was integral to the company's success, weaving a tale of how connecting a multitude of smaller suppliers catapulted to significant business growth. Beyond business strategies and financial details, we delve into the personal dimensions of Marcus’s experiences. Navigating the complexities of business relationships that bleed into personal interactions, handling the emotional weight of parting with a business nurtured for 25 years, and the strategic contemplation that led to Marcus’s final exit.
We invite you into this comprehensive discussion that celebrates entrepreneurial victory and confronts the arduous challenges and profound emotional investment that come with a life dedicated to innovation and leadership. Thank you for joining us on The Big Exit show, where we navigate the complexities of exits, transitions, and the sheer grit it takes to make it to the top in the tech industry. Let's begin.
We will talk about:
00:00 Obsession with market timing leads to success.04:33 Pioneered electronic invoicing before it was common.07:22 Investment refusal led to personal buyout and restart.11:37 Market advanced, early days for e-invoicing, challenges.15:16 Financial crisis drove e-invoicing with large buyers.18:24 Focus on large buyers, diverse portfolio gained. Missed geographic expansion opportunity.20:49 Seeking long-term investors, avoiding reliance on venture capital.24:50 Board of directors, friends and family, crucial.27:46 Reflection on age, investment, and business decision.31:51 Detailed discussions and due diligence were exhausting.34:31 Realizing the need to let go. Massive company transition with uncertainty for employees.37:37 Minimal celebration, focused on work and family.39:25 Transition from CEO to management, positive cooperation.43:46 Discussed multiple aspects of geographical leadership challenges.46:11 Impressed by Mark's resilient entrepreneurial journeyGet to know Marcus better:Marcus is an entrepreneurial pioneer who had the foresight to delve into the digital realm just as the internet was blossoming. His journey began shortly after his studies, when he secured his first job at Lufthansa in the late 1990s. Fascinated by the new technological frontier, Marcus contemplated the potential uses of the burgeoning World Wide Web for established companies like Lufthansa. This early experience sowed the seeds for his first venture, Seals, an invoicing company he launched in 1999, right at the dawn of the internet era. With this initial foray, Marcus positioned himself at the forefront of internet-based business solutions, showcasing his innovative spirit and his knack for recognizing and capitalizing on emerging technologies.
The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.
Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at podcast@peak.capital. 

In today's episode, we're delving into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Robin van Lieshout, the founder who recently led his company Insided to a monumental acquisition by Gainsight.
In this intimate conversation, Robin opens up about the highs and lows that come with building a successful business from its online consumer electronics origins to a community software leader netting 100 million ARR in 2022. Listen in as he shares the ups and downs of partnering with a friend, the emotional impact of downsizing his team, and the strategic moves that substantially increased his company's valuation.
We're also tackling the personal side of selling a business. Robin reflects on his quest for meaning and purpose post-acquisition, the significance of creating a network of peers for support, and the influence of company culture on a successful team dynamic. Get an inside look at what it takes to navigate the challenges of international expansion and hear Robin's candid take on the decision-making process that eventually led to Gainsight's purchase offer.
Learn about the considerations that outweighed even high valuation term sheets, and discover why Robin made the tough choice to prioritize stability and strategic alignment over greater financial incentives. Robin also imparts wisdom on the value of external perspectives and the role they played in his company's pivotal moments.
So, tune in as we explore these insights and more with our exceptional guest, Robin van Lieshout, on this episode of The Big Exit Show. Whether you're a founder, investor, or merely intrigued by the art of the exit, today's conversation is sure to enlighten. Stay with us, as we uncover the complexity and victories within the ultimate entrepreneur's rite of passage—the big exit.

06:41 Starting a company with close friends.11:21 Invested in culture and team dynamics from start.16:17 Changed my perspective on board meetings positively.21:19 Balancing ambition with honesty and realism is crucial.28:42 Struggles as a CEO, seeking external perspective.32:39 Organization crashed due to selling to many segments.39:08 Flew to London for 20-minute vision presentation.46:55 Disagreement over currency reporting, causing nerve-wracking delay.52:04 Considering selling company to unknown brand name.57:50 Assumptions about customer base and revenue growth.01:02:30 Quiet office celebration for pending acquisition announcement.01:07:42 Considering future roles and potential time off. Getting to know Robin van Lieshout: Robin is an Entrepreneur, Investor, Strategist and Community Builder. He founded and sold two companies, most recently inSided, a SaaS platform for technology companies to build their own Community. He raised $7M in funding, scaled to 100+ employees worldwide and eventually sold to San Francisco based Customer Success leader Gainsight. Robin currently acts as the Chief Strategy Officer at Gainsight, where he is responsible for several product lines, new market development, long term corporate strategy and M&A. He recently did his first $50M+ acquisition and has the experience of being on both sides of the table. In his free time he is an advisor and investor in many startups, large VC/PE funds and in family time.
You could find Robin's book: Customer communities here.
Thanks for joining us on The Big Exit Show! If you liked our chat with Robin van Lieshout, please follow us on your podcast platform of choice to stay updated with our latest episodes.
We'd also really appreciate if you could leave us a review. Your ratings and feedback help us reach more listeners and keep delivering the content you love.
Catch you on the next episode for more incredible exit stories!

On this episode of The Big Exit Show, hosts Johan and Anke sit down with Patrick Löffler, the former snowboarder and entrepreneur behind the successful credit card company Givve. They explore Patrick’s unique journey from bankruptcy to building a company that prioritized digital work culture and employee well-being. Listen in as this episode discusses the following:
Givve's strategic pivotThe complexities of the acquisition processThe crucial role of workplace culture in choosing an acquisition partnerAnd Patrick's personal takeaways from the exit experienceAll wrapped up with insights on the true cost and rewards of entrepreneurship. It's a tell-all episode packed with lessons on innovation, perseverance, and the art of a graceful exit.
More about Patrick:Patrick launched GIvve in 2010 as a company selling universal gift vouchers. Initially targeting consumers (B2C), the business saw limited success. Recognizing the need to adapt, Patrick strategically shifted GIvve's focus to a business-to-business (B2B) model. Capitalizing on country-specific tax incentives, such as Germany's €50 per employee tax-exempt benefit, GIvve now supplies prepaid credit cards for companies to offer as tax-free perks to employees. Patrick's leadership and agility have made GIvve a key player in providing practical financial solutions that fit seamlessly into an employee's daily essentials—right next to their keys and phone.What to learn more about Patrick, check this out givve® » Ihr erfahrener Partner für starke Benefits
The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.
Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at podcast@peak.capital. 

We kick off this new season with not only new guests but also a new co-host, Anke Huiskes. A startup operator and angel investor building NP-Hard Ventures, an early-stage VC fund investing in product-obsessed founders, creating the building blocks of tomorrow. 
In this episode Rudo and Esther shed light on Th3rd's innovative journey. Starting with the creation of the website Human Alloy, which generated high-quality 3D models that attracted big brands like Adidas and Nike. As 3D models and augmented reality gained popularity, Th3rd shifted their focus to creating digital 3D models of products for marketing purposes. Brands were seeking a full surface solution, which initially posed a challenge for Th3rd.

The journey to the acquisition was not without its share of setbacks and nerve-wracking moments. Join our hosts and guests as they reveal the stress and challenges faced leading up to the deal, including the loss of assignments and the impact of the pandemic. They reflect on the significance of signing the contract and the gradual release of stress that followed. 

The acquisition has brought both excitement and pride to Th3rd's team as they become one of the standards for 3D asset creation worldwide. Discover how having a big company like Snapchat as a backer gives them confidence and simplifies working with prominent brands.
Want to know more about our guest?
Rudo BisschopEsther BisschopTh3rd
 
Remember, our podcast is available on all major platforms, so be sure to subscribe and share with your fellow podcast enthusiasts.
The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website.
Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at podcast@peak.capital.