C-Circle: Are you Ready? Preparing for a Successful Exit

Are you Ready? Preparing for a Successful Exit

Raising capital and closing a successful transaction continues to be extremely challenging. PE and VC capital continues to be very hard to come by. However, conversations around the IPO market and M&A have shifted. Six to twelve months ago, the conversation was around when/if it was going to open. Now, the conversations are more centered around how companies are actively preparing to ensure they are ready when opportunities come. 

Come join us as we dive into what “ready” looks like through the eyes of PE, VC and those who have recently completed a successful transaction. We will discuss what PE and VC firms are looking for; how diligence has changed, current valuations, quality of earnings reports, as well as some recent successful transactions and what those companies did to ensure their deals closed.

Our event starts with an hour of networking, followed by the panel discussion.

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IAN WALSH

Executive Director, Mid-Cap Financial Sponsors Group - JPMorgan Chase & Co. 

Ian Walsh is an Executive Director for the Mid-Cap Financial Sponsors Group (FSG) at J.P. Morgan. Ian and his team guide clients in the Pacific and Southwest regions on strategic and capital alternatives to help them realize growth and ownership transition objectives, including connecting clients with private equity, strategic, and other capital sources.

Ian brings 20 years of middle market lending and corporate finance experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 2021, Ian spent five years at Ally Financial and ten years at CIT originating, underwriting and executing leveraged finance transactions for middle market PE firms. He began his career and completed formal credit training at GE Capital. 

Ian holds a B.S. in International Business from the University of Scranton and a Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

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JAN ROBERTSON

Managing Partner, CFO & Co-Founder - SiVal Advisors

Jan Robertson is Managing Partner, CFO and Co-Founder of SiVal Advisors, a technology-focused mergers & acquisitions advisory firm located in Silicon Valley, California. Ms. Robertson, a frequent speaker and author on topics related to M&A, has advised numerous clients and boards of directors on a wide variety of transactions over her thirty-year career.

Prior to SiVal Advisors, Jan was Managing Director in Needham & Company’s Menlo Park, CA office, where she built the M&A practice from 1997 to 2002, and prior to that was a Managing Director, M&A at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto. She is a frequent speaker on M&A related topics in the U.S. and internationally. In 2012 Jan was honored as one of Silicon Valley’s “Top 100 Women of Influence”.

SiVal Advisors professionals have completed over 500 transactions worth $12 billion in deal value. Based in Silicon Valley with connections around the globe, we serve clients in a range of technology industries including: software, business services, healthcare, and manufacturing, with valuations, growth funding, acquisitions, mergers and sales of businesses.

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KENT JOHNSON

Chief Financial Officer - Hera Systems

Kent Johnson is a strategic finance professional with over two decades of experience as a fractional CFO and investment banker. He founded Second Oar, LLC in 2014 to provide CFO services, including FP&A, M&A advisory, and capital raising advisory for start-ups and small to medium sized businesses.

Kent currently serves as CFO of Direct Commerce and Hera Systems and has helped over 20 companies scale their financial strategy and operations.

Prior to Second Oar, Kent worked in investment banking at Bear Stearns in New York and MVP Capital, a boutique San Francisco firm focused on renewables, telecom, media, and technology.

Kent holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College.

MODERATOR:

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ANDY ARMSTRONG

Audit Partner - Armanino LLP

Andy has over nineteen years of experience working with companies in computer software/SAAS and services, online/mobile advertising, professional services, manufacturing and distribution and life sciences. Andy specializes in working closely with venture and private equity-backed private companies in these sectors throughout their entire lifecycle from initial audits to their ultimate exit. Andy’s areas of technical expertise include: revenue recognition, stock-based compensation and complex debt and equity transactions. 

PRICING:

No Charge for ACGSV Members and Sponsors/Guests

$20 Other ACG Chapter Members

$40 Non-Members

Cancellation Policy:

Please note that if you cancel your attendance prior to 3 business days ahead of an event, a full refund can be requested. Please notify ACGSV via email to acgsv@acg.org. Unfortunately, any refund requests received within 3 business days of an event cannot be granted. We do not issue credits towards future events.