What Should I Do Next?
Take your time to explore options—you have financial freedom now. Consider starting another company, becoming an investor, joining an existing business, or taking a sabbatical. Choose what genuinely excites you, not what others expect.
Your Options Post-Exit
Start Another Company
Pros:
- You know how to build businesses
- You have capital and credibility
- You can apply lessons learned from your last company
- Potential for another significant exit
Cons:
- High stress and time commitment
- Risk of losing your exit money
- May feel repetitive if you didn't love the process
Consider if: You genuinely enjoyed building your last company and have a compelling new idea
Become an Angel Investor
Pros:
- Help other founders while generating returns
- Stay connected to the startup ecosystem
- Diversify your investments across many companies
- Lower time commitment than starting a company
Cons:
- Most startups fail—expect to lose money on many investments
- Long investment cycles (5-10 years)
- Requires developing new skills in due diligence
Consider if: You want to stay involved in startups but with less operational responsibility
Join Another Company
Options:
- Large corporation: Learn how big companies operate
- Growth-stage startup: Help scale a business past where you exited
- VC firm: Become a partner or advisor
- Consulting: Help other companies with your expertise
Benefits: Steady income, learning opportunities, less stress than starting from scratch
Take a Sabbatical
Use this time to:
- Travel and see the world
- Spend quality time with family
- Pursue hobbies and interests you've neglected
- Learn new skills or get additional education
- Volunteer for causes you care about
Duration: 6 months to 2 years is common
Making the Decision
Take Your Time
You don't need to rush into your next venture:
- You have financial freedom—use it to make thoughtful decisions
- Spend at least 6 months exploring before committing
- The best opportunities often come when you're not desperately looking
- It's okay to do nothing for a while
Learn from Your Exit Experience
Reflect on your last company:
- What parts of building a business did you love vs tolerate?
- What would you do differently next time?
- What worked well that you'd want to repeat?
- Which skills do you want to develop further?
Consider Your Legacy
Think beyond just making money:
- What do you want to be remembered for?
- How can you use your resources to make a meaningful impact?
- What problems do you care about solving?
- How can you help the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Staying Connected
Maintain Your Network
Your relationships are your most valuable asset:
- Stay in touch with other founders, investors, and industry contacts
- Attend industry events and conferences
- Be generous with your time and advice
- The best opportunities often come through your network
Give Back
Consider how you can help others:
- Mentor other founders going through exits
- Teach entrepreneurship at universities
- Write about your experiences
- Support causes you believe in
Common Next Steps by Timeline
Months 1-6: Decompress, handle finances, fulfill employment obligations
Months 6-12: Explore options, travel, learn new skills
Year 2: Make decisions about next major commitment
Year 3+: Execute on new venture or role