Founders work 80-hour weeks. Everything demands attention, everything is a decision about what to prioritize, and it goes on for years. Many build their companies with an exit in mind, one that hopefully provides a life-changing return.

In many M&A exits, signing the deal doesn't mean you immediately get paid. When a gap exists between signing and closing, your deal enters its most vulnerable phase—where approvals can stall, financing can drop, and operational constraints apply.