May 7, 2026
Don Penland | Operating Partner | Knox Capital
What actually happens after a deal closes—and what do buyers wish founders had done before?
In this Buyer’s Corner episode, Don Penland, Operating Partner at Knox Capital, shares a hands-on view of how private equity evaluates, acquires, and then improves software businesses.
Don breaks down what makes a company attractive from an operator’s lens, where founders create risk without realizing it, and what typically gets fixed immediately post-acquisition—from financial visibility to go-to-market execution.
If you’re building with an exit in mind—or want to understand how buyers think beyond the pitch—this episode gives you a clear, practical view of what happens on the other side of the deal.
Key takeways:
• What private equity buyers prioritize beyond growth
• Where founders create risk before a deal
• What gets fixed in the first 90 days post-acquisition
• How to position your company for a stronger exit
00:00 – Introduction & Knox Capital’s acquisition strategy
01:32 – AI trends and consolidation in the MSP market
05:51 – What makes acquisitions succeed or fail
11:16 – Building trust during the M&A process
15:45 – Common founder mistakes and deal breakers
24:33 – Post-acquisition integration challenges
27:08 – Final advice for founders planning an exit