the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Exit Strategies: How do I exit investors adding little value except money and attract new investors with confidence after the previous investors ruined the business?
MM
MM
Mike Magolnick, CEO, Social, Digital, Critical Marketing, Strategy answered:

First of all BE VERY CAREFUL about exiting investors while bringing new ones on. You cannot give investors money back out of proceeds raised from new investors. It's illegal (called Ponzi).

This is a VERY tough scenario since you are dealing with two substantial issues - 1) building (or rebuilding) a business; and 2) retiring investors.

If the business is in fact "ruined" then you need to first decide if bringing new investors into that situation is a wise decision. You could be opening yourself up to legal problems.

Investors invest in projects when they can 1) make money; 2) connect with the business; 3) add value; 4) believe in management.

Unfortunately, having "previous investors" (especially bad ones) is like coming into a relationship with baggage. Most savvy investors will not want to participate.

Advice: try to retire the investors BEFORE talking to new investors. Rebuild the business model and wait a few months before going after new investment. Showing that type of resilience and passion for the business could play in your favor and show new investors that you are someone who can overcome adversity to achieve success.

So how do you "retire" investors? Convert the investment to debt if possible. If not, offer to sell the business to one of the investors. Do not sign a non-compete and start a new business. Also, depending on your stock purchase agreement and any anti-dilution clauses you could issue new stock and dilute everyone's shares to where the old investors shares are minimal (could have legal repercussions though so be careful).

Talk to Mike Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.