Author: patricklowndes

This is the last blog in a 4-part series called Getting Acquired. I started by demystifying how to engage corporate development teams, then talked about how to get a competitive bidding war to get the highest offers and also how to get through diligence to an announcement. This last post is my somewhat early reflection … Continue reading Getting Acquired (4 of 4): Life Post-Acquisition

As I described in part one of this series, you shouldn’t just avoid talking with Corp Dev and product teams with potential partners or acquirers without considering the upsides of competitive intelligence, learning and building a stronger opinion of the players in the market. A good CEO must also be thoughtful about his/her optionality. Is … Continue reading Getting Acquired (2 of 4): Running a Competitive Bidding Process to Sell Your Startup

As a CEO at an early startup, it’s all too common to see unsolicited emails from junior partners at big VC or PE firms reaching out to “start a relationship”. They are basically the SDR for the firm trying to get their name on my radar in advance of a future raise. In a similar … Continue reading Getting Acquired (1 of 4): Engaging Corp Dev for Partnership or Acquisition

There are few things in life that are as exciting as the path I’ve walked to build a company from nothing.  Having built small little businesses from as young as I can remember, and specializing my business degree in “Creating a Company” from idea to revenue, it’s safe to say I have a knack for … Continue reading First Time CEO – The thrill and responsibility of building a business from nothing

PayScale.com was a very key time in my early career, being the first software startup I’d ever worked at. PayScale is the leader of cloud compensation data and software based out of Seattle, WA and boasts more than 5,000 customers. I joined the team in August of 2011 as an Account Executive on a new … Continue reading Working at a High Growth Startup: PayScale.com

I shared a bit in the last post about the early foundations I had while growing up; where God had prepared me for being an entrepreneur. In this post, I will share 7 of the 8 formative experiences that really helped in preparing me well, leaving the last one for another post. Fast-Pitches during High-School … Continue reading 8 formative experiences that shaped my career

My Earliest Years I can remember my earliest years of being an “entrepreneur.” I was about 7 years old and I became interested in being a carpenter. We lived in a cul-de-sac that still had homes going up, so I walked across the street to ask the contractor if I could have some of the … Continue reading My Earliest Years

Hi There! My aim in writing is to give a glimpse into the life of a praying entrepreneur: One who is seeking to run his business in a way that honors God, follows Jesus, and is lead by God’s Spirit. Life is not as straightforward as I hoped it would be and neither is how to … Continue reading Hello World: A Disclaimer & What to Expect