How To Exit A Candid Talk

"Exit & Acquisition" is often heavy on jargon but light on knowledge, especially in the Black founder community. This panel delivers practical insights: how to prepare for exits, recognize when you're ready, navigate negotiation pitfalls, and avoid the mistakes most founders make.

Hosted by The Pit in partnership with Drive Capital, this intimate gathering brings together 20 handpicked Black founders from Atlanta (Seed to Series A) for a candid, high-impact conversation.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, August 14th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Venue: The Biltmore, 817 West Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Format: In-person only

Featured Speakers
Joseph Ifiegbu - Strategic exits and acquisition positioning expert
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Donald Hawkins - Deal negotiation and transaction structure specialist
LinkedIn Profile

Moderator: Kimberly Jolasun

Schedule
10:00 AM - Doors Open
10:30 AM - Welcome by The Pit
10:45 AM - Introduction by Drive Capital
11:00 AM - Topic Overview & Speaker Introductions
11:10 AM - Panel Discussion (60 minutes)
12:15 PM - Q&A Session (45 minutes)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Networking & Close

What to Expect
This isn't another networking event. Expect a freeform, conversational discussion with no slides or formal presentations. The focus is tactical and personal, with both strategic insights and real founder stories. The intimate setting ensures meaningful conversation and direct access to speakers.

Limited to 20 Atlanta-based Black founders across industries (Seed to Series A stage). Photos and video will be captured for promotional use.

Most founders get one shot at an exit. Make yours count.

This isn't about dreaming of acquisition offers, it's about building the foundation today that creates competitive bidding wars tomorrow. Two founders who've been through successful exits share the moves they made (and wish they'd made sooner) to maximize their outcomes.

What you'll walk away with: The preparation checklist no one talks about, red flags that kill deals, and negotiation tactics that actually work when millions are on the table.

Who's joining: 20 Atlanta Black founders serious about building companies worth acquiring.

One afternoon. Real insights. No theory.