Why Most Founders Fail at Exiting Their Business — And How to Avoid It

Dubai, UAE – September 2025 – Every entrepreneur dreams of building a successful company. But few prepare for what may be the most important milestone of all: the exit.

For many founders, exiting their business is not only financially defining but also emotionally overwhelming. It’s what entrepreneur and investor Martin Martinez calls “The Founder’s Exit Dilemma.”

Having built and successfully exited three businesses of his own—and acquired several others—Martin has seen the challenges of exits from both the founder’s and buyer’s perspective. And in his view, most entrepreneurs get it wrong.

“Exits are often treated as a last-minute decision,” Martin explains. “But the truth is, they should be treated as a strategy that founders build toward over years. Without the right preparation, you’re either leaving money on the table or walking away with regret.”

The 3 Mistakes Most Founders Make

Martin points out that most entrepreneurs face three major blind spots when it comes to exiting:

They wait too long. Founders often delay thinking about an exit until they’re exhausted or under pressure, reducing their negotiating power.
They underestimate the complexity. From due diligence to valuation methods, exits are far more complicated than most first-time founders realize.
They ignore the emotional factor. A business is rarely just numbers to a founder—it’s identity, relationships, and years of sacrifice. That makes rational decision-making difficult.

“An exit is both financial and deeply personal,” says Martin. “That’s why it’s critical to get the balance right.”

Why Martin’s Perspective Is Different

Unlike private equity firms, VCs, or family offices—who often lack operational experience—Martin has walked in a founder’s shoes. He knows what it feels like to build, scale, and eventually let go of a company.

Over the past 10 years, Martin has focused on helping entrepreneurs better understand why, how, and when to exit their business through three key strategies:

Plan Early – Think about your exit years in advance to maximize leverage.
See Through the Buyer’s Lens – Understand what investors and acquirers truly value.
Balance Emotion with Strategy – Don’t let attachment cloud the bigger financial picture.

“What makes my perspective unique is that I’m not an advisor. I’m an exited founder turned investor,” he says. “I’ve been in the trenches, and now I know how buyers think. My mission is to bridge that gap.”

A Critical Moment for the Middle East

With the UAE positioning itself as a global hub for entrepreneurship, exits are becoming a pressing issue in the region. More businesses are scaling internationally, more investors are entering the market—and more founders will soon be faced with decisions about when and how to exit.

“Founders here are building amazing companies,” Martin says. “But without the right knowledge, many will stumble at the finish line. My goal is to make sure they don’t.”

For Martin Martinez, the Founder’s Exit Dilemma isn’t just a theory—it’s a reality he has lived, and one he’s determined to help others navigate successfully.