Entrepreneurial ventures fail. It's a sad fact. How your business fails will determine whether you get another shot at success.

Directed toward inventors, this article provides a short description of bankruptcy filings and tips to protect assets.

Private companies go public for three reasons: to raise money; to offer liquidity to private investors; and for visibility and recognition. This chart compares NASDAQ with four other options for going public.

Large corporations can raise capital through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), but what options do smaller businesses have? Direct Public Offerings (DPO) let small companies raise capital. Learn about different types of DPOs, the kinds of companies best suited to using DPOs, and risks and rewards.

The rewards of an initial public offering (IPO) are many: money, prestige, power, and publicity. Frederick D. Lipman’s book “Going Public” details how companies can have a successful Initial Public Offering. This synopsis provides an outline for IPOs, from choosing an underwriter, to the opening day.

Your company may be considering an initial public offering. Before contacting an investment bank, consider the preliminary requirements described in this article. Assessing aspects of your company, such as revenue and management, will indicate whether your company is ready for an IPO.

Your company may be considering an initial public offering. Before contacting an investment bank, you should first consider the preliminary requirements described in this article. They will help you assess whether your company is ready for an IPO.

Great deals don’t happen by accident. In fact, more than 50% of acquisitions are unsuccessful. Planning and communication will put the odds in your favor.

Determining what to pay for a company is a balance of art and science. A good acquisition begins with an accurate valuation. Find out how to measure growth, synergies, and capital.

Mergers and acquisitions are the most common exit strategy for companies backed by venture capital. What has changed in recent years are the sectors likely to find M&A suitors and, by extension, venture capital funding.

Mergers, acquisitions, and sales are inevitable in small business growth or succession. Avoid these five common deal-breakers when you take your company to market.

More than half of the fastest-growing U.S. companies have expanded through acquisitions, or are seriously planning a new acquisition over the next three years. Motivators include obtaining new markets or gaining complementary products. Acquisition-minded companies should fully research all of their options before taking on additional risks.

Business owners are advised to plan early for the sale or transfer of their companies. It’s never too soon to lay groundwork for the exit, even when inking plans for the launch. The pros and cons of typical exit strategies are also discussed in this article.

Your exit strategy impacts how you might choose to grow your business. All business owners should plan ahead for how they will eventually liquidate their equity. Review the pros, cons, and alternatives to selling your business.

Your retirement goals need many different kinds of tender loving care. Working day in, day out to build your business is not enough. Planning for your retirement, the succession of your business, and your ongoing health care must be part of your daily routine.

Michelle Kort, the owner of As You Wish Pottery, writes about how she entered into a shotgun agreement with her business partner. Also an attorney, Kort describes the basics of drafting a buy-sell agreement and exercising the buyout option.

A buy-sell agreement should fairly meet the needs of the business and all of its owners. Operating without an agreement can lead to caustic battles. Find out how the owners of Nevada Lighting created a buy-sell agreement for their business.

Experts say you shouldn’t wait for conditions to improve to try to sell your business. While business sales and valuations are down, it can be difficult to predict when a future turnaround may occur, and buyer interest seems to be high. Here are some tips to market and sell your business if the time is right.

The decision to sell your fast-growing company is a difficult one. But selling your company can propel growth, as the founder of Art.com discovered.

Whether you are raising capital or selling your company, finding investors can be an overwhelming process. Know what you want and stay away from Uncle Bob. Effective planning can ensure a smooth transition.

Employees have good reason to fear an acquisition. Rumors are caused by an information vacuum, plus the potential for surprisingly good or bad news. Here’s one way to give it to your employees straight.

Many businesses continue after their founders move on. How do you transition into retirement without adversely affecting your business? Learn the secrets to a predictable and profitable exit.