PL3 Virtual Roundtable Preview – Second Bite or Bitter Pill? What Happens When Rollover Equity and Earn-Outs Go Sideways

Most earn-outs and rollover equity clauses are designed to align incentives and bridge valuation gaps between buyers and founders.

But when terms are vague, KPIs unrealistic, or founder roles unclear, these “win-win” tools can quietly set the stage for mistrust, stalled performance, and failed transitions—before the ink is even dry.

On Wednesday, August 20 at 1:30 PM CST, the PL3 Team is hosting a 45-minute virtual strategy session to explore how to spot and mitigate these human risks before they’re locked into the deal.

We’ll be joined by a cross-disciplinary panel of experts in leadership placement, financial valuation, performance measurement, and M&A advisory to unpack:

• The hidden risks buried in earn-out and rollover equity structures

• How deals shift from alignment to breakdown - and how to spot the signs early

• Key elements in term sheets that invite post-sale tension

• Practical strategies to manage the human side of M&A before close.

Click Here to Register for the Aug 20 Roundtable.

Can’t attend live? Register anyway - we’ll send you the full replay.

This roundtable is designed for leaders, investors, and advisors navigating founder-led or family-owned business transitions, where the right structure can mean the difference between a smooth partnership and a costly breakdown.

Missed any of our prior Roundtables? Revisit recordings on the PL3 YouTube Channel.

Want more performance insights like this? Join the PL3 Virtual Community - a private, invite-only space where leaders, investors, and advisors speak freely, reflect openly, and grow together.

Will Gladhart is the Chief Marketing Officer at The Culture Think Tank & PL3. His experience includes brand strategy & marketing, content creation, email marketing, and communication outreach.