{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcast.myexitengine.com%2Fepisodes%2Fep-80-the-private-equity-playbook-G45Nkuih","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Ep 80 | The Private Equity Playbook for Exiting Founders with Aaron Alpeter ","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/7274b616-1008-401f-8734-b32e8ae292e3/b8ce1af2-e7bf-4c0a-aae3-0a311c8a1882/with_jo_stapleton_and_john_canniffe_2.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/df02fa7b-6b53-452b-8228-86d2380f43ba\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Ep 80 | The Private Equity Playbook for Exiting Founders with Aaron Alpeter \" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"What does private equity actually look for when evaluating a company?\n\nIn this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Aaron Alpeter, Partner at Izzo Partners, to break down how PE firms assess value, risk, and scalability in founder-led businesses .\n\nAaron shares:\n• How private equity evaluates EBITDA vs. quality of earnings\n• Why founder dependence is one of the biggest valuation killers\n• What makes a company “platform ready”\n• How recurring revenue and defensibility impact multiples\n• The difference between growth potential and operational risk\n• Why PE firms care more about leadership depth than most founders realize\n• How to prepare for institutional capital — years before you need it\n\nThis episode is essential for founders in the $3M–$25M revenue range who want to:\n✔ Increase valuation\n✔ Reduce buyer risk\n✔ Attract institutional capital\n✔ Build optionality\n✔ Exit on their terms\n\nPrivate equity isn’t just buying your past performance.\nThey’re underwriting your future — and pricing your risk.\n\nIf you want to understand how buyers think before you go to market, this conversation is required listening.\n\nGuest Info\nAaron Alpeter https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-alpeter/\nAaron is a Partner at Izba Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in lower middle\nmarket companies and helping founders scale with institutional capital.\nSpecial Offer for Podcast Listeners:\nWant to know how exit-ready your company is? Take our 30-day Value Sprint and see your\ncompany through the eyes of a buyer. Visit www.myexitengine.com to get started.\n🔎"}