You built the company. Now, build the exit.
A closed-door evening for Arizona founders preparing for their first, and only, business sale — built to help you leave with more value, less tax, and a legacy that holds.
— A Note From Your Host
Dear Founder,
You’ve spent twenty, thirty, maybe forty years building something that didn’t exist before you. That’s rare. What comes next — the sale, the handoff, the exit — is a milestone most founders face exactly once, with no second attempt if it’s done wrong.
Most business owners walk into that milestone the way they walked into their first year in business: figuring it out as they go. But an exit isn’t like the rest of your career. There’s no learning curve you get to climb twice. The value you’ve built, the wealth your family will carry forward, and the fate of the people who’ve worked alongside you all come down to decisions made in the two to five years before the sale, not during it.
That’s the gap the Scottsdale Founders Forum exists to close. Twice a year, we bring a small, private group of first-generation founders together with the attorneys, bankers, and advisors who guide these transactions for a living — so you walk into your exit prepared, not surprised.
— Armando Roman
HOST, SCOTTSDALE FOUNDERS FORUM
— The Program
Four conversations, in the order they matter.
Chapter I Legal
Navigating the legal landscape of your exit
A mergers & acquisitions attorney who represents sellers walks you through the letters of intent, purchase agreements, and protective clauses that determine how exposed — or how protected — you are once ink hits paper.Led by an M&A Attorney
Chapter II Value
Maximizing what your company is worth, before you sell it
An investment banker who runs sell-side auctions for a living shows you how buyers actually value a company, and the negotiation levers that separate an average outcome from your best possible one.Led by an Investment Banker
Chapter III Taxes
Minimizing taxes and keeping what you’ve built
A tax CPA lays out the structuring decisions — made years, not weeks, in advance — that determine how much of your sale price is actually yours to keep.Led by a Tax CPA
Chapter IV Family
Planning for your family’s life after the business
A family CFO helps you think past the closing date: what it means to shift from running a company to stewarding a family’s wealth, for the decades that follow.Led by a Family CFO
An Invitation Only Event for Arizona Founders
— Who This Is For
This is a room for a specific kind of founder.
The Scottsdale Founders Forum is not open registration. We keep the room small and the conversation candid, which means every seat is reserved for founders who meet a specific set of criteria.
✓ You built the company yourself. First-generation wealth — no prior exit, no playbook handed down to you.
✓ You’re thinking two to five years out. Early enough to still shape the outcome, not scrambling after a buyer’s already at the table.
✓ The number matters, but it isn’t the whole story. You care about what happens to your people after you’re no longer the one signing the checks.
✓ You’re based in Arizona, and ready to have this conversation in person, with a small group of founders in the same position.
Event Details
Your Invitation
Date
Thurs, Nov 5, 2026
Format
Live, In Person
Also Included
Private reception to follow
Time
3:30 – 5:00 PM
Location
Scottsdale, AZ — sent on approval
Guests
Spouses & co-founders welcome
Applications are reviewed individually. Space is limited to preserve the setting.
Before You Apply
Strategic Insights for Successful Business Exits
A short white paper for founders who want the landscape before the conversation — free while we prepare for the next Forum.
— How Arizona founders with $2.5B in combined enterprise value are preparing to sell
— Field notes from M&A attorneys, investors, and founders who’ve already exited
— A framework for building a plan that supports your lifestyle, family, and legacy
“Attending the Scottsdale Founders Forum was the best decision I made in preparing for my exit. I walked in unsure what I didn’t know — I walked out with a plan.”
– Founder & CEO, Attendee of a Prior Forum
“Attending the Scottsdale Founders Forum was the best decision I made in preparing for my exit. The insights from the speakers were invaluable, and I felt empowered to make informed decisions for my business and family.”
Your Host
Armando Roman
Armando founded the Scottsdale Founders Forum after years of sitting across the table from Arizona business owners in the months before — and after — their exit. He built the Forum to close the gap between founders and the advisors who understand what’s actually at stake.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a business partner or spouse?
Yes. We encourage you to bring any key stakeholders in your business or family — the people this decision will also shape.
What if I’m not sure about my exit timeline yet?
That’s the point of coming now. Founders who attend three to five years out consistently walk away with better outcomes than those who wait until a buyer is already asking questions.
What makes this different from a typical exit-planning seminar?
Scale and intent. This isn’t a public seminar — it’s a small, invitation-only room of first-generation founders and the advisors who specialize in exactly this transition, with nothing being sold from the stage.
Is there a cost to attend?
The Forum is complimentary for approved founders. Every seat is reviewed individually to keep the room the right size and the right mix of people.
Preserve Your American Success Story
The exit only happens once.
Plan it like it does.
Schedule a private conversation with Armando Roman about your timeline, your options, and whether the Forum is the right room for you.
“Attending the Scottsdale Founders Forum was the best decision I made in preparing for my exit. The insights from the speakers were invaluable, and I felt empowered to make informed decisions for my business and family.”