This is the first in a series of articles on how to design and execute an optimum exit for your company. Future installments will discuss: how exit strategy drives financing strategy, corporate DNA, who the buyers are, secondary sales, building an exit plan, the exit timeline and ways to maximize your exit value.

This article was written for the Acetech newsletter: CEO Snapshots.

Every company needs an exit strategy.  Ideally, the exit strategy should be signed off by the founders...