What does it take to guide a company from early investment to a major private equity transaction?

In this special Founder Shares live episode, recorded at Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, Tim McLoughlin of CoFounders Capital and Joshua M. Hayes of Hutchison PLLC share the inside story behind the $175 million investment in Element451, a Raleigh-based higher education CRM platform.

What challenges arise when spinning out a new tech company from an existing business? How do investors, founders, and legal teams work together to navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and close major transactions? Tim and Josh offer real-world insights on evaluating early-stage companies, managing through crises like COVID-19, and preparing for a successful exit—including the fast-paced deal-making that led to Element451’s acquisition.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.