United States: M&A/Private Equity

The private equity exit market shows signs of recovery with increased deal volume in early 2026, though conditions remain far from the pre-pandemic norm. Strategic buyers pursue selective opportunities while public markets reopen cautiously, forcing sophisticated sponsors to fundamentally rethink their approach to liquidity planning throughout the investment lifecycle rather than concentrating exit strategies near the end of hold periods.

Investing in a company that already has a priced round? The standard Y Combinator SAFE agreement may be costing you money and rights you didn't realize you were giving up. This analysis identifies five critical provisions in post-seed SAFEs where investors should push back to protect their interests, from valuation cap calculations to liquidation waterfalls and tax treatment considerations.

Florida's startup ecosystem depends on more than capital – it needs angel investors who can move quickly, share experience and help founders avoid mistakes early.