There are a couple things you should know going in, or at least by the end of the first call: 1) What is this PE firms model? Google them, cold call founders o

There are a couple things you should know going in, or at least by the end of the first call: 1) What is this PE firms model? Google them, cold call founders of companies they've bought, etc. Some will want to buy you to integrate with existing entities. Others want to accelerate your growth, based on their operating model. If you don't have time to figure this out, you need to know all of these details by the end of your first call. 2) What do you want out of the deal? Ever entrepreneur should have a number or a vision, or both. You need to know what gets a deal done for you. 3) Why are they reaching out to you? Is it exploratory or already vetted and strategic. Before you say anything of substance, you should understand where they are at in the process. Oftentimes the level of the person you are speaking with dictates the seriousness of the conversation / interest level. 4) Are they winners? Funds can't help but brag about their successes. Who are their big exists? What do they return to their investors? How many funds have they closed (and when)? If you have any additional questions, my email is in my profile.