Josh Gershonowicz is an advertising and marketing entrepreneur, brand strategist, and real estate investor best known for founding Rebuild, an independent agency in Detroit that he scaled over fifteen years and led to a successful acquisition by Hart in 2025.
Josh co founded Rebuild in 2012 after identifying a significant void in the creative strategy required for modern, connective brand campaigns. He grew the agency into a digital powerhouse with deep expertise in healthcare, travel, food and beverage, and economic development. Based in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, Rebuild became a symbol of Detroit’s revitalization and a key partner for middle market brands seeking transformational growth.
Today, Josh is the founder of ShortList, an AI powered matchmaking platform designed to help brands and procurement teams find and hire the right marketing agencies faster and at a lower cost. In addition to his work in the marketing sector, Josh is an active investor in distressed and value add real estate, focusing on uncovering overlooked opportunities and creating long term value for investors and communities alike.
“Building a business is an exercise in focus, but exiting a business is an exercise in clarity. I am passionate about helping founders navigate the complexities of high stakes transitions, ensuring they translate years of hard work into a legacy that is both strategic and rewarding.”
Schedule a call with an Exitwise advisor to learn more about engaging Josh to Maximize Your Exit™.
Rebuild, a Detroit based independent agency specializing in digital expertise and creative strategy, was acquired by Hart, a leading full service brand transformation agency. The transaction was a strategic move to bridge the gap between boutique firms and massive holding companies, allowing Hart to expand its footprint into the Detroit market. The acquisition secured Hart a team of specialized talent and enhanced its ability to deliver omnichannel experiences for middle market brands.

Give us a call to learn how helpful an Exited Founder can be when selling your business.
Todd Sullivan
CEO, Exitwise
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.