Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeter discuss the complexities and challenges faced by startup founders, particularly the frequent occurrence of founders being replaced by investors. The conversation delves into the motivations behind such investor decisions, the difficulties in replicating a founder's passion and vision, and the common pitfalls and consequences of these transitions. The hosts share personal anecdotes and provide insights on how to prevent these situations, handle them professionally if they arise, and maintain valuable stakeholder relationships. This episode is a must-listen for any startup founder navigating the turbulent waters of investor relations and company growth.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:25 The Downfall of Bench and Ian Crosby's Story01:54 Investor Motivations and Founder Replacements03:33 Understanding Investor Expectations05:40 The Slow Burn of Founder Dismissal08:23 The Impact of Replacing Founders13:49 Personal Stories of Founder Replacement16:47 The Challenges of Replacing Founders19:26 Augmenting the Team vs. Replacing the Founder22:01 Why Investors Push Founders Out24:00 Navigating Earn-Out Periods in Acquisitions24:26 The Challenge of Replacing Founders26:43 Timing the Transition: Leadership vs. Management29:08 The Mercenary CEO: Pros and Cons35:31 Investor Expectations and Founder Realities42:19 Handling Founder Exits Professionally

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