Jason Gates is an entrepreneur and technology leader best known for co-founding Compology, a groundbreaking waste and recycling software company.
Compology deployed proprietary camera and sensor technology combined with powerful analytics to give waste haulers real time visibility into their operations, enabling them to reduce contamination, optimize routes, and improve profitability.
Under Jason's leadership as CEO, Compology raised significant venture capital, partnered with the largest waste haulers in the world, and cemented its position as the market standard for commercial hauling visibility before being acquired by RoadRunner Recycling.
Today, Jason is focused on helping founders navigate the complex, high-stakes journey from building to successfully selling their technology businesses.
“The exit journey is the ultimate test of all the strategic decisions you've made over the years. I want to help founders translate their life's work into a clear narrative that maximizes their outcome and secures their legacy.”
Schedule a call with an Exitwise advisor to learn more about engaging Jason to Maximize Your Exit™.
In 2022, Compology was acquired by RoadRunner Recycling, a technology-driven company focused on sustainable recycling solutions. The acquisition allowed RoadRunner to integrate Compology’s advanced monitoring technology directly into their platform, enhancing their ability to provide data-backed, comprehensive recycling programs to businesses nationwide. Jason transitioned to a key role following the acquisition, ensuring a smooth integration and continued technological innovation.
Hire an Exited Founder to serve as an advisor on your M&A team to enhance market credibility, open doors to more buyers, and create an industry insider’s advantage when selling your business.
Every Exited Founder engagement is designed around your unique goals and the needs of your company. Fees can vary, but most often include either an hourly rate, a success-based fee, or a blend of both—depending on how involved your Exited Founder will be in your process.
After your initial discovery call with an Exitwise M&A advisor, you’ll get a detailed breakdown of the Exited Founder engagement options. We’ll talk through each option to make sure everything feels fair, transparent, and aligned before you decide to move forward.
Increase in Sales Price
Increase in Number of Offers
Increase Transaction
Success Rate
Accelerated Time to Exit
This Exited Founder offers personal M&A experience and deep professional networks in their respective industries to help you Maximize Your Exit.™
Every Exited Founder’s goal is to make sure you create the exit you deserve. Engaging is easy!
An Exited Founder is an entrepreneur who has founded or cofounded a company and successfully exited his or her company through an IPO, M&A transaction, recapitalization or secondary share transaction. Exited Founders have joined ExitWise to help their fellow founders maximize their exits.
An Exited Founder brings expertise in building a company, M&A deal-making, a network of potential buyers, and experience navigating complex financial, legal and employment issues. An exited founder can not only be a great personal mentor during your exit process but can also help maximize your company's sale price, reduce risks, and ensure a smoother transaction.
Exited Founders typically offer:
- M&A education Founder Mentorship
- Business valuation advice
- Access to top M&A experts to build your M&A team
- Incredible personal networks with strategic investors and buyers in their industry
- Negotiation skills with potential buyers
- Deal structuring and transaction experience
- Advise on Coordination of legal, financial, and tax professionals
- Assistance with due diligence
- Advice on major personal and professional decisions throughout the M&A process
Our Exited Founders have free access to Exitwise valuation services and have visibility into private transaction data in their industry. Exited founders assist investment bankers that use various methods, such as comparable company analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, and market trends, to assess the value of your business. Exited Founded can also factor in your industry dynamics and your growth potential to help negotiate an optimal sale price on your behalf.
Industry experience: Ensure they have exited a business in your sector.
Track record: Ask about their personal exits and how they have helped other business owners with M&A.
Network: A strong personal and professional network of potential buyers is key.
Communication: Choose someone you can trust and communicate with easily.
Industry Stature: Exited founders bring different levels of credibility to your team which can have a dramatic effect on how buyers value your business.
The process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months or longer, depending on market conditions, the size of your company, and the complexity of the transaction. Exited Founders absolutely help expedite the process.