Successful Exits: Plan for the Net, Not the Gross
Part of Twin Cities Startup Week 2026, September 14–18.
Most of what you walk away with from a sale is shaped long before there is an offer on the table. You spend months with the deal team getting the terms right for the business, but who is walking you through how the net number will land for you personally and what that number can make possible? This panel is about what founders and investors should be asking while they are still building.
How do I start thinking about my number?
What are the tax implications?
What opportunities do I have to optimize what I ultimately keep?
What could a sale mean for intergenerational planning, philanthropy and the next chapter?
And what else sits alongside the business that I should be thinking about?
The headline sale price is only part of the story. The real opportunity is understanding your net number early enough to shape the outcome and maximize what your exit can make possible.
Speakers:
Brian Martin, Managing Partner & Shareholder @ Accredited Investors Wealth Management®: As Managing Partner, Brian co-leads Accredited’s Executive Committee and is responsible for the firm’s Strategic Planning. Brian also oversees the firm’s Operations and Wealth Management activity. He began his career at Accredited as a summer intern and in the 15 years since has had roles in nearly every part of Accredited’s business, giving him a unique perspective into the wide range of people and functions that must be integrated to deliver truly comprehensive wealth management. He believes a highly functioning team allows Accredited’s advisors to focus on their mission of building deep relationships with their clients. As a member of the wealth management team, Brian leads client relationships and has expertise in executive compensation and helping families manage complex estates and multi-generational planning strategies.
Jacob Wolkowitz, Chief Investment Officer & Shareholder @ Accredited Investors Wealth Management®: As Chief Investment Officer at Accredited, Jacob spearheads the investment group that manages client portfolios. He is a member of Accredited’s investment committee, meets directly with clients, and coordinates with Accredited’s Wealth Managers to create innovative solutions for clients’ long-term planning needs. Jacob began his career in investment banking and has expertise in investment analysis, equity research and market strategy. Through the years, Jacob has served as an informational source in the Wall Street Journal as well as appearing on CNBC and KSTP.
Justin Kaufenberg, Managing Director @ Rally Ventures: Justin Kaufenberg is the co-managing director at Rally Ventures, a Minneapolis and Menlo Park based early stage venture capital firm with more than $1B under management. Prior to Rally Ventures, Justin was the co-founder and CEO of SportsEngine, a leading youth sports technology platform. SportsEngine was acquired by NBC Sports in 2019. Justin stepped down as CEO of SportsEngine in 2019 and joined Rally Ventures full time. Inside of Rally, Justin makes traditional seed and Series A investments into fintech, insuretech and cybersecurity companies and also starts and spins companies out. Justin is the co-founder of Yardstik, JustiFi, Vertical Insure, OttoSport Ai, Blank Metal, Slingshot Insurance, Reliever.ai and LEVR.
Lauren Winter Routhier, Partner @ Stinson LLP: Lauren works with individuals, families, and closely-held businesses to identify their estate planning goals and craft plans that best serve their interests. She works with clients on tax planning, charitable giving, business succession planning, prenuptial agreements, estate administration and disputed probate and trust matters. Lauren's training as a qualified mediator informs her approach to resolving probate, trust, and family business disputes, and her practice with individuals and families in estate planning. Her understanding of human dynamics, along with her technical skills, helps her guide individuals and families through some of life's most challenging events.
Getting here on Thursday. Parking, Basecamp, lunch, and the rest of the day: tcstartupweek.com/thursday