Barak Kaufman, founder of Post‑Exit Founders (PEF), grew a 5,000+ member community in four years by word of mouth. He shares what he’s learned from their stories: what works after an exit and what does not. Barak is now partner at VC firm Vine Ventures in New York City and Tel Aviv.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 – Why your exit dollar figure doesn’t define you

00:16 – Introduction: Barak Kaufman & Post Exit Founders (PEF)

01:08 – Life after selling: discomfort, confusion, recalibration

02:11 – Supporting exited founders to make better decisions

03:07 – Barak reflects on being interviewed

08:18 – Origins of PEF: growth, community DNA, culture of kindness

10:02 – Challenges of scale: 5,000+ members and maintaining trust

12:50 – Dating, cofounders, and tribes within PEF

14:24 – Building “intentional serendipity” in the community

16:47 – The importance of in-person connection

22:32 – Lack of judgment and welcoming messy post-exit journeys

24:58 – Why PEF doesn’t ask about the size of your exit

27:10 – The “golden cage” of financial freedom

28:25 – Barak’s unusual path: investor → founder → investor

35:44 – Barak’s mission: helping exited founders find their purposeafter acquisition

37:32 – Early post-exit struggles

39:11 – Joining Vine Ventures and rediscovering purpose

42:35 – From negative one to zero: finding clarity

44:44 – Angel investing regrets & lessons learned

46:39 – Fulfillment, family, and life design

58:46 – Parenting identity as post-exit mission

59:40 – Hiding behind noble roles: parenting, philanthropy, boards

01:02:18 – Why many rush into a new venture too quickly

01:03:50 – The three typical post-exit paths: messy middle, next mountain, not seeking

01:06:52 – The “wasted decade” risk if clarity is delayed

01:17:15 – Different founder motivations: curiosity, relationships, efficiency

01:18:51 – Closing thoughts & gratitude