About
Jayna Cooke is a growth operator, innovative strategist, and founder with deep experience in scaling technology driven businesses. She most recently led EVENTup, an online marketplace connecting planners with event venues and experiences, to the rapid growth and successful acquisition of the company within four years.
Before EVENTup, Jayna was part of two early stage companies both of which IPO'd shortly after 4 years (NASDAQ: GRPN & formally ECHS). Jayna served as Vice President of Business Development at Groupon, where she was integral to the company’s early success by designing the largest scale partnerships, creating revenue opportunities, and constructing the major sales deals that led to Groupon’s stratospheric rise and IPO just four years later. Her ability to see the big picture, build mutually beneficial partnerships, and design scalable systems has earned her a reputation as a skilled and in-demand advisor and executive.
Jayna advises founders in technology driven businesses — helping them refine their overall market strategy, optimize unit economics, and align growth trajectories with exit potential. Her unique background gives her perspective on both the operational levers and the buyer mindsets that matter most.
Schedule a call with an Exitwise advisor to learn more about engaging Jayna to Maximize Your Exit™.
Previous Exits
EVENTup to Vista Equity
Valuation: Undisclosed
EVENTup, the venue and events marketplace led by Jayna Cooke, was acquired by Gather Technologies / Vista Equity in 2018, joining forces to unify venue listings and event planning tools. Under Jayna’s leadership, EVENTup scaled its listings and operations, evolving from a struggling marketplace into a revitalized platform that made it an attractive acquisition target.
Media & Education
How Exited Works
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.
Schedule a FREE call with an Exitwise M&A Advisor to qualify your business.
Exitwise will schedule interviews with your top Exited Founders to answer any questions and help make your selection.
Review and sign our Exited Founder contractor agreement to add your Exited Founder to your M&A team.
Services & Fees
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.
