Stew Campbell, Partner at The Chernin Group
In Part 2, Stew Campbell returns to share tactical guidance for founders evaluating outside capital. We dive deep into how to run a founder-led investor process, what to watch for in term sheets, and how to build long-term wealth while scaling a founder-led business. Stew breaks down growth equity vs. private equity, investor diligence, and how to choose a partner who accelerates—not limits—your next chapter. This episode is a must-listen for any operator planning a recap, acquisition, or capital raise in the next 1–3 years.
Things You’ll Learn:
-
How to run a founder-led competitive investor process
-
What to ask when evaluating potential investors and term sheets
-
How to align capital strategy with long-term wealth goals
-
Ways great investors create real value beyond the check
______________________
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom! Turn your chaos into control.
Tired of chasing updates across spreadsheets and email threads? Discover how DealRoom helps corporate development teams bring order to M&A.
👉 Learn how you can run a repeatable, buyer-led process
___________
Join Kison at the DealMakers Forum in New York City!
This event connects the most active players in M&A and corporate finance. Meet top M&A executives, investors, and deal advisors and discover how senior leaders structure and close high-value deals.
Register Today!
________________________
Episode Chapters
[00:04:00] - What happens when firms break process and push early
[00:05:00] - Building long-term relationships before you transact
[00:08:30] - IOI vs. LOI: How to solicit and compare offers
[00:09:30] - The three most important terms to negotiate
[00:12:30] - Founder control, redemption timelines, and board dynamics
[00:15:00] - Setting personal wealth goals alongside business strategy
[00:19:30] - Case study: How one founder gave back to their community
[00:21:30] - Challenging assumptions around recap timing
[00:27:00] - How to get the most value from investor advisors
[00:34:30] - Bootstrap vs. venture-backed founder mindsets
[00:46:30] - Craziest things seen in M&A: Founder stories & deal drama
Questions, comments, concerns?
Follow Kison Patel for behind-the-scenes insights on modern M&A.
Popular Podcasts
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Betrayal: Season 4
Karoline Borega married a man of honor – a respected Colorado Springs Police officer. She knew there would be sacrifices to accommodate her husband’s career. But she had no idea that he was using his badge to fool everyone. This season, we expose a man who swore two sacred oaths—one to his badge, one to his bride—and broke them both. We follow Karoline as she questions everything she thought she knew about her partner of over 20 years. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-3 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.