Lessons on Timing and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs

Two men discussing a business deal

Lessons on Timing and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs

“Tammer Kamel founded Quandl in 2011 and in 2018 he sold his data business. This owner shares how he grew his business by bringing on venture capital money,” shares Sam Thompson a Minneapolis business broker and the president of M&A firm Transitions In Business. “Much of the interview takes you through the challenges Tammer had when raising vc funds.”

In 2011, Tammer Kamel launched Quandl, a company that provided investors with data designed to give them a competitive trading edge. For example, Quandl offered subscriptions that let investors access private jet flight information for public companies as a predictor for M&A activity.

By 2018, Quandl had grown to 75 employees. Kamel saw industry giants entering the space, but knowing the time and capital investment it would take to build a competitive offering, he believed they would prefer to acquire Quandl.

Kamel began shopping the business around, and shortly after, Nasdaq acquired Quandl for a life-changing sum. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

  • Weigh the pros and cons of raising venture capital.
  • Compete with a giant with a stranglehold on your industry.
  • Negotiate the sale of your business with a direct competitor (without giving away your secrets).
  • Pinpoint the ideal time to sell your company.
  • Avoid sabotaging your relationship with an acquirer.

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