Value Accelerator Program — Discovery Call
15-Month Value Maximization Program for Businesses Targeting $500K – $5M EBITDA
Business Owner Exit Decisions
Status Quo
Wait for a buyer to come to you. No preparation, no timeline, no leverage.
Sell at Present Valuation
Accept today’s market value and exit now. Example: sell to a firm like Lexbury at current multiples.
Grow Value, Then Exit
MaxExit Value Accelerator: systematically increase EBITDA, improve multiples, and exit from a position of strength.
Option 2: Sell at Present Valuation
MaxExit Investment Assessment
Valuation based on your MaxExit Investment Assessment score, EBITDA multiples, and implied goodwill analysis.
Face-to-Face Meeting
In-person meeting with Mike Cook to formalize the process, discuss expectations, and align on timeline.
Confirmatory Due Diligence
Review and verification of shared information — financials, operations, and key business data.
Offer: Price vs. Terms
Offer structured on the Price vs. Terms continuum — balancing purchase price, earnouts, and deal structure.
Agree & Close
Agree to final terms and close within 90 days.
What's Included
"This isn't a coaching program. It's the infrastructure a serious business owner needs to exit on their terms."
Two-Stream Delivery Model
| Dimension | 1-on-1 Premium Track | Group Track |
|---|---|---|
| Led By | Mike Cook & senior team | Expert facilitators |
| Monthly Blocks | 120–180 min in-person, on location | ~120 min video conference or in-person group workshop |
| Between Blocks | Bi-weekly virtual check-in calls + direct chat | Bi-weekly group virtual calls + group chat channel |
| Cohort Size | 1 business (dedicated) | 8–12 businesses (non-competing) |
| Customization | Fully tailored to the business | Structured curriculum with business-specific exercises |
| Fee Model | Monthly retainer + equity/profit interest | Lower monthly cash only |
| Client Portal | Full access — progress dashboard, templates, uploads | Full access — progress dashboard, templates, uploads |
| Partner Experts | Direct 1-on-1 introductions | Group presentations from partner network |
| Post-Program | Board advisory seat + transaction advisory pathway | Alumni peer group + annual tune-up option |
1-on-1 Premium Track Aligned Compensation Structure
The 1-on-1 track uses a hybrid compensation structure that aligns MaxExit’s incentives directly with value creation:
- Monthly Cash Component: $10,000 Fixed monthly retainer covering block delivery, bi-weekly calls, direct chat access, and portal access.
- Equity / Profit Interest Component: Structured as phantom equity (contractual right to % of exit proceeds above a baseline valuation) or a profit interest unit. Negotiated at program entry. Typical range: 10–20% of earnings and value created above the earnings and value baselines documented established in Block 0.
- Baseline Lock: The Month 0 Assessment establishes the baseline enterprise value and earnings levels. The equity and earnings components apply only to values above these baselines — ensuring MaxExit earns equity and earnings compensation only for value it helps create.
- Vesting: Equity and Earnings interest vests over the 15-month program. Cliff at Month 3 (to ensure mutual commitment), then monthly vesting through Month 15. Full vesting upon completion.
- Triggering Event: Equity payout triggers on a defined liquidity event: sale, recapitalization, or transfer of control. If no event occurs within 5–7 years, a sunset provision applies.
Group Track Fee Structure
- Monthly Program Fee: $5,000 / month for the 15-month program. Includes two seats — ideal for an owner-operator plus a key partner or executive.
- Additional Seats: $1,000 / month per additional participant. Bring your leadership team into the process to accelerate implementation and alignment.
Client Portal & Technology Platform
Real-time MaxExit score tracking with historical trend lines from Month 0 baseline.
Each of the 15 blocks has materials, homework, templates, and uploads.
Live EBITDA and valuation estimates with cumulative value bridge.
Between-block homework with status tracking. Visible to client and team.
Secure storage for all deliverables. Becomes the M&A data room foundation.
Integrated messaging for async communication between blocks.
Partner Expert Network
- Block 5 Lean / Six Sigma Practitioner — Practical continuous improvement implementation for operational efficiency and waste reduction
- Block 11 CPA / Tax Advisor — Reviewed or audited financial statement pathway and tax optimization strategy
- Block 13 IP Attorney — Trade secret protection, trademark registration, and intellectual property audit
- Block 14 Fractional CFO — Net working capital optimization, capital allocation, and financial modeling
- Block 15 M&A Attorney + Wealth Advisor — Transaction preparation, closing mechanics, and personal financial readiness
Qualification & Application Process
MaxExit Assessment
Investment assessment serves as initial screening. Scores identify program readiness.
Executive Briefing
30–45 min structured conversation with Mike Cook. Mutual fit evaluation, not a sales call.
Application Review
Internal scoring against qualification criteria. Decision: 1-on-1 Track, Group Track, or defer.
Offer & Onboarding
Formal offer letter. 1-on-1 Track includes equity/profit interest term sheet for legal review.
Qualification Criteria
Post-Program Pathway
1. Board Advisory Seat
Transition from intensive advisor to standing board advisory role. Quarterly strategic meetings (half-day), monthly 60-min check-in, on-call access, annual MaxExit re-assessment.
2. Annual Tune-Up Program
Lighter-touch for clients not yet ready for transaction. Quarterly reviews against MaxExit scorecard, updated EBITDA normalization and valuation estimate.
3. MaxExit Alumni Network
Peer community of graduates. Quarterly half-day roundtables, annual Exit Readiness Summit with M&A attorneys, PE buyers, and QoE advisors. Each member is a referral source.
4. Transaction Advisory
Sell-side M&A advisory for exit-ready graduates. Full transaction management from CIM preparation through closing.
I retired after 15 years investing in private businesses. I don't need to work — but I found I missed the conversations. There's something about sitting across from someone who's built something real and helping them get more out of what they've got. Also my kids have all moved on with their lives, I have more time on my hands. So I take on a handful of businesses each year. Not clients — more like partners. People I could see becoming friends with, who deserve to walk away with every dollar they built — not whatever a buyer decides to put on the table.
Submit Application & Intent to Proceed