FORGED HORIZONS ADVISORS
Accelerating Exits for the Middle Market
Michael Litvak, Founder
founder@forgedhorizonsadvisors.co.site
917-626-9861
68% of value creation plans fail by Year 2, directly impacting IRR (Each month of delay costs ~0.35-0.4% IRR) (McKinsey)
Contributing factor: 61% of buyouts now held 4+ years vs. 53% historical average
The impact: Extended holds compress IRR and delay capital deployment emerge
Why it matters: Great Exit (3-4x MOIC) vs. Good Exit (2-3x MOIC)
Introducing PRECISION EXITSTM — Spot execution risks before they impact value
- Pre-mortem Lab – Surface hidden execution risks through increased team psychological safety
- Strategic Table ReadTM – Identify cross-functional disconnects by simulating journey to exit
- Exit Trajectory Mapping – Work backwards from ideal exit to maximize valuation
- Wargaming (optional) – Stress-test strategies against competitive responses and market shifts
Built from pattern recognition earned through evaluating 1,000+ deals, sourcing 25% of IBM’s acquisitions 2020-24, and $700M+ in value created at IBM Strategic Enterprise and Gartner Consulting.
How Precision Exits™ Works
1. Pre-mortem Lab
Surface hidden execution risks.
2. Strategic Table Read™
Identify cross-functional disconnects.
3. Exit Trajectory Mapping
Maximize valuation for ideal exit.
Precision ExitsTM is designed to enhance, not replace, your existing operating partner capabilities and portfolio company leadership team.
| Function | Operating Partner Role | Portfolio Company Role | Precision ExitsTM Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Direction | Set investment thesis and value creation plan | Execute against strategic priorities | Validate thesis-to-execution alignment |
| Performance Tracking | Monitor KPIs and financial performance | Report operational metrics | Identify leading indicators of execution drift |
| Risk Management | Assess macro-level portfolio risks | Manage day-to-day operational risks | Surface hidden cross-functional execution risks |
| Exit Preparation | Position asset for optimal exit | Deliver operational performance | De-risk exit timeline and enhance valuation narrative |
Strategic Direction
Operating Partner: Set investment thesis and value creation plan
Portfolio Company: Execute against strategic priorities
Precision ExitsTM: Validate thesis-to-execution alignment
Performance Tracking
Operating Partner: Monitor KPIs and financial performance
Portfolio Company: Report operational metrics
Precision ExitsTM”>: Identify leading indicators of execution drift
Risk Management
Operating Partner: Assess macro-level portfolio risks
Portfolio Company: Manage day-to-day operational risks
Precision ExitsTM: Surface hidden cross-functional execution risks
Exit Preparation
Operating Partner: Position asset for optimal exit
Portfolio Company: Deliver operational performance
Precision ExitsTM: De-risk exit timeline and enhance valuation narrative
Challenge: PE-backed SaaS company with stalled value creation. 18 months out to exit.
Outcome:
- Identified early GTM execution drift
- Uncovered leadership misalignment
- Preserved $8M EBITDA run-rate (22% improvement)
- De-risked product roadmap before board meeting
“We thought we were in the third act. Turns out we were rewriting Act Two.”
Precision ExitsTM Strategy Canvas
Fixed: Product vs. RevOps data war
Why it matters: Unlocked stalled AI milestone
Reframed: From “point solution” to platform story
Why it matters: Avoided valuation haircut in banker diligence
Illustrative scenario based on research & experience
Precision ExitsTM Risk Map
This illustrative map categorizes key risks: areas to Monitor (requiring attention), Critical Risks (needing immediate action), areas to Sustain (performing well), and Emerging (new opportunities or threats).
Engagement Options
| Tier | Offering | Model | Pricing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Execution Drift Diagnostic + Pre-Mortem Lab 2-week sprint | Fixed Fee | $18,000 | Low-risk starting point. Surfaces hidden risks, aligns teams, and builds trust. |
| Flagship | Strategic Table ReadTM 4-week process | Fixed Fee + Value-Based Bonus | Contact for details | Pressure-tests investment thesis and value plan. Simulates outcomes. Anchors all follow-on work. |
| Expansion | Blueprint + Execution Coaching Sprint 90-day program | Retainer (Monthly) | Contact for details | Applies Table Read insights into an actionable execution plan with coaching support. |
| Exit Phase | Exit Readiness Lab 6-week engagement | Fixed + Success Fee | Contact for details | Reframes positioning, eliminates exit risks, and readies for diligence. |
| Anchor Fund | Portfolio Lab Subscription (Pilot Fund Only) 12-month program | Annual Retainer | Contact for details | Designed to embed Table ReadTM across fund’s mid-hold and exit-phase assets. Early adopter pricing. |
Execution Drift Diagnostic + Pre-Mortem Lab
Duration: 2-week sprint
Model: Fixed Fee
Pricing: $18,000
Low-risk starting point. Surfaces hidden risks, aligns teams, and builds trust.
Strategic Table ReadTM
Duration: 4-week process
Model: Fixed Fee + Value-Based Bonus
Pricing: Contact for details
Pressure-tests investment thesis and value plan. Simulates outcomes. Anchors all follow-on work.
Blueprint + Execution Coaching Sprint
Duration: 90-day program
Model: Retainer (Monthly)
Pricing: Contact for details
Applies Table Read insights into an actionable execution plan with coaching support.
Exit Readiness Lab
Duration: 6-week engagement
Model: Fixed + Success Fee
Pricing: Contact for details
Reframes positioning, eliminates exit risks, and readies for diligence.
Portfolio Lab Subscription (Pilot Fund Only)
Duration: 12-month program
Model: Annual Retainer
Pricing: Contact for details
Designed to embed Table ReadTM across fund’s mid-hold and exit-phase assets. Early adopter pricing.
* Based on mutually agreed success metrics
Anticipated ROI – Minimum 10:1 (e.g., preserving $8–12M of value to exit MOIC delta)
I am willing to make a 30% investment for my first 3 Founding Clients in exchange for case study rights and testimonial if enrolled by July 15, 2025.
What’s your next step?
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