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Jan 9, 2026

What are investors actually looking for in the AI Era for tech companies right now? 

In this special TechExits Podcast episode, we bring you the Investors Panel from Growth & Exit Strategies: Scaling & Selling in the AI Era, recorded live on November 6. 

Leading venture, growth, and private equity investors share how AI is reshaping investment decisions, valuations, and exit strategies—and what founders should understand as they scale, raise capital, or prepare for M&A.

The discussion covers:

  • What gets funded in today’s AI-driven market 

  • How AI impacts diligence, scalability, and valuation 

  • When founders should raise capital vs. prepare for exit 

  • What investors believe founders consistently underestimate 

Panelists: 
Brian Mac Mahon, Founder & Managing Partner | Expert DOJO 
Tanya Marvin-Horowitz, Partner | Butterfly Ventures 
Gabriela Smith, Co-Founder | LatAmplify Ventures 
Steve Schlenker, Co-Founder & Managing Partner | DN Capital 
Tara Zahiri, Vice President | Mainsail Partners 

Moderator: Nihat Arkan, Senior Vice President | Corum Group 

00:00 – Introduction & panel overview
02:10 – Investor perspectives: what they fund and where
08:45 – How AI is changing investment theses
17:00 – Where AI actually creates value (data, efficiency, moats)
25:00 – Real AI investments: examples and lessons learned
42:00 – Generative AI, margins, and sustainable business models
55:00 – Exit timing, IPO vs M&A, and founder advice