Selling Flow Pilots Dewi's Exit Strategy, Finding the Right Partner for Growth

We sit down with Dewi, the former CEO and co-founder of Flow Pilots, to discuss her remarkable entrepreneurial journey and the invaluable lessons she learned with her exit.

Dewi's story begins in 2011 when she and her then-husband established Flowpilots, driven by a shared vision to revolutionize the user experience of computer programs. By focusing on mobile strategy, business applications, change management, and enterprise architecture, Flowpilots differentiated itself in a competitive market.

Throughout the episode, Dewi candidly shares the challenges she faced as a founder, from navigating the complexities of running a business with her spouse to overcoming cash flow issues caused by delayed customer payments. She also discusses her transition to the CEO role in 2018 and the strategic decisions that followed.

One of the most significant moments in Dewi's journey was the decision to sell Flowpilots in 2022. In this episode, she provides an honest account of the factors that led to this choice, the importance of finding the ideal customer profile, and the emotional and professional challenges that accompanied the transition period.

This episode offers a wealth of insights for entrepreneurs, including the art of negotiation, the value of transparent communication during mergers and acquisitions, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Join us as we learn from Dewi's experiences and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to build, grow, and eventually exit a successful company.

More about Dewi Van De Vyver:
I plead for ethics in tech, sustainable business and more diversity in tech. You can find me on the panel of the podcast Tech45, with the event The Ada Talks, in several boards of directors, and in the government’s advisory group for technology education. I am all in, for as long as it takes. Want to connect? You can do that through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dewivdv/

The Big Exit Show is an initiative by Peak and NP-Hard. Want to know more about Peak and the ventures we back? Check out our website: https://peak.capital/. Want to know more about NP-Hard? Have a look at our website: http://nphard.vc/.

Feedback for our podcast or want to be featured on our show? Please reach out at [email protected].


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to the Big Exit Show
00:33 Interview with Dewi van de Vyver: The Beginning
06:09 Challenges of Running a Business with a Spouse
14:26 Navigating Financial Struggles and Growth
19:07 Transition to CEO and Company Evolution
20:43 Partnership with Sipal Schouwbroek
28:58 Strategizing the Future
29:27 Presenting to the Board
30:17 Engaging Potential Buyers
31:17 Team Involvement and Transition
36:58 Valuation and Exit Details
39:18 Post-Exit Reflections
42:29 New Beginnings
49:26 Final Thoughts and Advice
52:46 Closing Remarks