Nobody told me... how to pivot

​SimpleClosure and Founders House are teaming up on a new series built around the conversations founders don’t always have a playbook for.

​We’re kicking things off on September 23 with Nobody told me… how to pivot, a candid conversation about one of the hardest questions founders face: what do you do when the original plan isn’t working?

​Do you keep pushing? Make a meaningful pivot? Explore an acquisition? Or is it time to consider winding down?

​We’ll bring together perspectives from across the startup ecosystem to unpack the signals that matter, from runway and revenue trajectory to customer demand, fundraising conditions, team health, and founder energy.

​Featuring:

​John Paasonen, Co-Founder & CEO, Maxwell
Adam Roberts, Owner + Founder Coach, Lifted.vc
Olivia O’Sullivan, Partner & COO, Forum Ventures
Carina Oriel, VC Partnerships, SimpleClosure

​Topics we’ll explore:

• ​How to tell when a company needs more time vs. a real pivot

• ​What evidence should support a major change in direction

• ​When an acquisition or acquihire is actually a realistic path

• ​The signals that it may be time to consider winding down

• ​Why timing matters when evaluating any of these options

• ​How to navigate these decisions with your team, board, and investors

​We’ll close with anonymous startup scenarios and ask our panelists to weigh in live on what they would do: pivot, push through, pursue an acquisition, or shut down.

​Whether you’re actively facing one of these decisions or simply want to be better prepared if you do, you’ll walk away with a clearer framework for deciding what comes next.