Exitwise Productions

Colin Hodge built a dating app so viral it hit one million users in three and a half months — then got sued, kicked off the App Store, acquired by a company in Asia, and sold off in a fire sale when his acquirer panicked mid-IPO. So Colin bought it back. Then he 10X'd it.
In this episode, Colin shares the full story with Exitwise Managing Partner Todd Sullivan: from fixing computers at 15 in Pennsylvania, to Microsoft, to launching Bang with Friends at the dawn of the smartphone era. He breaks down the costly mistake of going into M&A pre-revenue, how fast things changed once he finally turned on monetization (zero to $75K/month), and what it felt like to watch his own company get divested like a footnote during someone else's IPO process.

Colin also gets into the psychology of M&A that most people skip over: why founders need an honest mirror held up to them before they go to market, how he now helps other founders grow and exit smarter, and how his Amazon bestseller Outrageous Startup Growth started as a way to document his playbook and ended up helping him scale the business beyond himself.

Whether you're pre-revenue and wondering when to monetize, stuck navigating your first acquirer conversation, or trying to understand what buyers are really looking for, this one's packed with hard-won lessons from someone who's been on every side of the M&A table.

Learn more about Colin and connect with Exitwise: https://exitwise.com/founders/colin-hodge

Thinking about selling your business? Visit https://exitwise.com

Get Colin's book Outrageous Startup Growth: https://colinhodge.com 

What is Exitwise Productions?

Exitwise Productions is your one-stop shop for M&A education, real-world exit stories, and expert insights. Whether you're a founder planning to sell, a business owner exploring your options, or just looking to understand how mergers and acquisitions really work.

The Wise Exit · Host Todd Sullivan, M&A Advisor and Exitwise CEO & Co-founder, brings you in-depth conversations with founders and former business owners who've sold to some of the top acquirers in the world, alongside focused masterclasses and expert guidance on the M&A process. From business valuations and quality of earnings to choosing the right M&A advisor or investment banker for your deal, The Wise Exit breaks it all down.

The Exited Founder Podcast · Hear first-hand exit journeys from successful founders across dozens of industries who are now paying it forward as M&A advisors with Exitwise. Every episode features an exited founder sharing what they wish they'd done differently, their take on current industry trends, and the lessons they're bringing to help the next generation of business owners maximize their exits. Meet the advisors and explore the Exited Founder Marketplace at exitwise.com/exited-founders

Whether you're years away from selling or already exploring a transaction, Exitwise Productions gives you the insights, strategies, and real-world perspective to get the exit you deserve.

Learn more at exitwise.com