How to Outline an Exit Strategy in Your Business Plan

It may surprise you to hear that you should give space in your business plan to a description of your exit strategy — the plan for how you’ll personally leave your business at some point in the future — but you should, especially if you’re seeking investors, because they’ll factor your plans into their funding decision.

Set your dreams in motion by using this form to check the exit strategies you envision for your business. Put check marks beside ones that may be part of your long-term plan. By planning your exit early on, you put yourself in a position to steer your business toward your desired outcome.

For each of the exit options you consider, make a short list of the business capabilities and resources you need to have in place for the strategy to eventually become a reality.

In most cases, your written business plan should mention your exit strategy. Sketching out how you’ll personally leave your business and harvest its value at some point in the future is a first step in guiding the final chapter of your involvement to a positive conclusion.