From “Almost Sold” to Acquired: The Real Work Behind a Great Exit

Join us for our first event of 2026

From “Almost Sold” to Acquired: The Real Work Behind a Great Exit

Most exit stories sound clean in the headlines. The reality? It’s messy, detailed, and full of hard-earned lessons.

At this M&A Catalyst event, Chris Byers will walk us through the real acquisition journey behind Formstack—including the first attempt to sell in 2012, why it didn’t happen, what had to be rebuilt to become truly “sellable,” and how the team navigated the market timing that ultimately led to a successful deal in 2018 and again in 2021.

This is a practical, no-fluff case study focused on what founders and leadership teams need to get right long before they go to market:

• What “exit-ready” actually means across team, product, sales & marketing, and infrastructure
• The behind-the-scenes operational work buyers expect (but founders often underestimate)
• How to think about timing and market windows when planning for a sale
• Lessons Chris learned the hard way—so you don’t have to

This is a strong fit for founders, operators, and service providers who want a clearer picture of what “exit ready” really means—and how to build toward it intentionally.

Speaker: Chris Byers, CEO of Oxygen Pack - Advisor to Growing Startups and Scaling Software Companies

Come prepared to expand your network, explore new opportunities and build relationships with the local M&A community.

Who should attend: Private equity leaders, investment bankers, business owners actively acquiring or considering selling, entrepreneurs expanding their network, strategic business advisors & service providers throughout the M&A process.

What to expect: Enjoy meaningful networking time with delicious bites & sips from Later Bye. Speaker starts at 5 pm.

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Our Business Sponsor is Oxygen Pack: Oxygen Pack helps determined leaders of scaling companies catch their breath and keep climbing.

We partner with founders and executive teams who are navigating critical growth stages—bringing clarity, calm, and structure when the air gets thin. Acting as hands-on advisors and fractional strategy leaders, we equip organizations to launch new ideas, expand markets, and prepare for what’s next.

https://oxygenpack.co/

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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