From $60m Exit to Building an Era-Defining AI Company: Sean Williams on lessons from a start-up exit to building again with AutogenAI

What do you think of when you hear ‘exited Founder’? 

Someone travelling the world or sitting on a remote island sipping cocktails? 

Today’s Making The Grade guest may change your perspective… 

We’re joined by Sean Williams, Co-Founder & CEO of AutogenAI, the AI bid writing software. Before AutogenAI, Sean co-founded Corndell Ltd, which he grew from scratch to 350 people and sold to THI Holdings for $60m. 

In this episode, Sean discusses how to build with an exit in mind, why you need to keep control while fundraising and why US expansion isn’t as easy as some Founders might think. 

Episode Chapters

02:18 - From bid writer to CEO - Sean’s career journey 

08:40 - Post-exit reality & why Sean decided to jump back in the Founder seat

14:36 - Selling a business during Covid 

18:57 - More about AutogenAI and the opportunity 

23:12 - Fundraising without losing control 

27:26 - US expansion do’s & don’ts  

29:33 - GTM in the AI-era - what actually works 

33:43 - Hiring GTM leaders 

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