Summary:
Exit often implies success but can lead to unexpected challenges for founders transitioning to corporate roles.
Or Biderman found that maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged in his new role at Lusha.
Amit Batzir emphasized the importance of curiosity and humility when integrating into a larger organization.
Giora Engel highlighted that public perceptions of entrepreneurship often miss the complexities founders face post-exit.
The transition can be seen as an opportunity for growth and learning in a larger corporate environment.
The Reality of Post-Exit Life for Founders
We often hear the term "exit" associated with success, wealth, and freedom in the Israeli high-tech scene. However, the reality can be quite different. After selling their companies, founders are often required to remain as employees of the acquiring corporation, which can be a jarring transition.
The Journey of Founders
Founders devote years to nurturing their startups—developing ideas, building teams, and leading their companies. But what happens after the sale? How do their lives change when they become employees of a larger organization? Three founders—Or Biderman (Novacy, acquired by Lusha), Amit Batzir (Spott, acquired by Payoneer), and Giora Engel (Neosec, acquired by Akamai)—share their personal experiences of this transition.
Or Biderman's Experience
After Novacy's acquisition, Or Biderman joined Lusha as the Sales and Marketing Ecosystem Manager. He quickly realized that the environment was vastly different from what he expected. Initially, he faced concerns about navigating corporate politics, but those worries dissipated as he learned that he was encouraged to maintain his entrepreneurial spirit and drive innovation.
"We’re not expected to be regular employees—quite the opposite. The company actually wants us to bring innovation and think outside the box."
However, the shift from being a CEO to an employee posed challenges, such as not having the final say and needing to consult others. Biderman noted the importance of working alongside experts, which provided structured processes and meaningful discussions.
Amit Batzir's Insights
Similarly, Amit Batzir, who co-founded Spott, expressed concerns about losing his independence and the agility of decision-making that comes with startups. After Spott's acquisition, he found himself in the product division at Payoneer, where he emphasized the importance of integrating into the organization while maintaining a sense of independence.
"You have to approach it with curiosity, openness, and humility—learn the organization first and only then think about how to contribute."
Giora Engel's Perspective
Giora Engel, a veteran in this transition, shared that moving from a startup founder to a corporate employee is not always easy, but it can be rewarding. He noted that public perception of entrepreneurship often overlooks the complexities involved. Engel viewed the acquisition of Neosec as an opportunity to implement technology on a larger scale and to learn from a bigger organization.
"Building companies is what I do. For now, I’m continuing to build within Akamai, but I assume that at some point in the future, I’ll do it again."
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