Taking a bad offer starts everyone off on the wrong foot. Additionally, the founders are such an important part of an early product's success or failure, you sh

Taking a bad offer starts everyone off on the wrong foot. Additionally, the founders are such an important part of an early product's success or failure, you should have some upside that you are excited about and so should your team, to a lesser degree. Additionally, it's really hard to go from founder to working for someone else. REALLY HARD! REALLY REALLY HARD! The acquirer knows that and so should you. If they really want the founders, they'll craft an attractive retention plan. Negotiate. If they don't know that you're considering shutting down, use that to your advantage. Depending on your situation, product and team size, as well as the situation of your acquirer, get help. Do you have advisors / investors? They'll know the players and the game or will be able to point you towards someone who does. If someone wants what you have, someone else probably does too; creating demand will help ensure you get the best value.