Written by Rooney Nimmo Partner, Sean Hogle Consider the following scenario. You’re a technology start-up that has developed a popular app recommendation engine. You’re running low on cash, and further investment is not in the cards. The shareholders decide it’s time to sell. Excitement ensues as a massive personal technology lifestyle company takes an interest. After completion of due diligence, however, enthusiasm in the start-up wanes. Soon the discussion focuses on a potential “acqui-hire,” a fancy way to say your company is being bought predominantly for the fabulous engineering team you've assembled and not for the product/service you were (trying) to bring to market - with a commensurately lower valuation. Too low for the shareholders, so...