Dave Gerhardt

Hey I'm Dave Gerhardt. I created Exit Five, which has turned into the top community for B2B marketing professionals. Before starting Exit Five I had a 10 year career in marketing and grew from PR intern to CMO. I even once had hair! My wife says I'm more handsome now though, and she's quite pretty so that means a lot -- but the internet just boxes me in as the typical bald guy tech bro. So oh look, another bald tech guy writing on LinkedIn! whoopty freaking do.

Anyway. Where was I... OH. Receipts! I wanted to talk about receipts, because in a world of fluff and online influencers, I actually have some receipts and I want to tell you about them here because it signals power, credibility, and makes it seem like I'm super rich, so: I used to be pretty good at marketing, and my work as a marketer played a key role (at least I think so) in helping two software companies to successful exits: Drift for $1B+ and Privy for $100M+. I certainly helped the founders make a bunch of money, and I was able to comfortably purchase a brand new Toyota Sienna minivan for my family in 2021.

Today I spend my time working on Exit Five, and it's actually been super fun and given me a bunch of purpose. We're a team of six full-time team members now, and we have a private online community and host in-person events around the world. Plus there's a popular podcast and newsletter for marketers. We reach something like 20 MILLION marketers with our content every year, and we've got a pretty special thing going on. I hope to keep it going. You can learn more about it all at exitfive.com.

I spent most of my life in the Boston area but now live in the woods in Vermont with my wife, two kids, two cats, and one dog.

You can reach me at dave@exitfive.com if you want, but TBD if I reply. Depends on the message. But please don't send me any more swag or books. But if for whatever reason you do want to send me something, I play the ProV1x golf ball and like the low numbers.

PS. Find my podcast “The Dave Gerhardt Show” on Spotify

Founder & CEO

Exit Five is a media company focused on B2B marketing. We help B2B marketers build successful careers through our content and community. Learn more at exitfive.com

The CEO should put the Product team and Marketing team together. 

In lock step. 

To drive momentum and success for the company. 

I see so much about Sales and Marketing. 

Not enough about Product and Marketing. 

There should be a vision. And a roadmap. And regular launches. Some small. Some big. And this becomes the operating system for the company. 

You can CREATE momentum for your company by doing this. Deadlines drive actions. 

These regular launches give Marketing and Sales regular opportunities to talk to new customers. 

The CEO should be in the middle of this.

PS. If this topic lands with you and you're a CMO: we've been running a super secret group for CMOs / VP Marketing doing $25M+ ARR at Exit Five over the last few months and we're now accepting new members. Community is more important now than ever and it's all about who is in the room. We have curated the right room for you. If you want a peer group like this you can apply for a spot here: tinyurl.com/23h2c5eh

Founder: Exit Five. Community Builder. Former CMO. Building the top community for B2B marketers right now at exitfive.com

I didn't want my team to publish this talk. It was too good. Should have only been for the memory of the people that went to Drive this year.

But I'm also a marketer and understand the power of social media and free content, so fine. 

We published my pal Harry Dry's talk from Drive 2025 yesterday, and if you missed it he gave a masterclass in storytelling.

The long lost art of conflict and emotion in the world of AI, PLEASE GO LISTEN TO THIS MAN.

The first line of this clip says it all "You should know so much about your category you could write a book on it."

You're not creating a category to fit into Gartner or G2. You are creating a category because you are literally inventing a new of way of doing things!

That's the opportunity.

I'll put the recording in the comments (audio only)

Founder: Exit Five. The top community for B2B marketers.

TPM Focus

➡️ www.tpmfocus.com | TPM Focus Strategy --> Business Innovation Consulting
➡️ marketing.tpmfocus.com | TPM Focus Marketing --> Marketing Strategy and Execution for New Product and New Market Launches

My team and I leverage our deep backgrounds in technology, engineering, business, and leadership in various industries to assist B2B companies with the execution of innovative business concepts to maximize scalability and profitability.  

We create business strategies that align marketing, sales, technology, and customer success with financial goals.  

Too often these departments either don't exist yet (because you're a startup) or work in silos within companies, hindering the progress of the business.  

Aligning a company's strategic goals, teams, and metrics enable better decision-making on where to focus to accelerate growth.


TYPICAL CLIENTS ARE:

➡️Research Universities

➡️Startup Incubators and Accelerators

➡️Economic Development Agencies across the World (International and National)

➡️Corporate Innovation and Intrapreneurship Programs

➡️Executive Founding teams of innovative startups

And we work directly with Entrepreneurs who are a part of of these entities.

𝐖𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝟐𝐁 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬....And thus, they hire TPM Focus because the outcomes we provide directly align with the financial interests of all involved. 

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 which in turn provides jobs, further builds the economy, and moves society forward.

Many of our clients are international companies seeking expansion into the U.S. and we apply our unique approach, strategies, and industry connections to jumpstart them.


Go to 👉🏼ｔｐｍｆｏｃｕｓ.ｃｏｍ／ｃｏｎｔａｃｔ👈🏼 to get more info on how we can work together.

Founder & Chief Innovation Strategist

Focused Innovation Group

FIG, or Focused Innovation Group LLC, is a family-owned search fund created to acquire and operate small businesses that are ripe for innovation and digital transformation to increase their efficiencies and profitability.

We're experienced in building and growing businesses and actively seeking companies for our portfolio that meet the following criteria:

➡️Established B2B service company with $1.5MM to $5MM EBITDA
➡️Located in one of the following cities:
  -Atlanta, GA
  - or direct flight from ATL
➡️Current owner seeking to divest and exit the company.

At FIG, we believe that providing a healthy company culture and taking care of the employees ensure you have happy, longstanding customers.  We have a "people first" mentality and believe in investing in our people and the community.

President

Unpolished MBA

This podcast broadcasts conversations I have with smart and interesting people; most are tech entrepreneurs. Some of them have MBA's; some don't. Those with MBAs share whether it has been useful on their entrepreneurial journey, while both share critical components of their story to where they are today.  

We talk business, life, career, and share bits of wisdom for those on the fence about their next career move---MBA or No MBA? Entrepreneurship or Corporate Employee? 

Each episode is less than 30 minutes and can be found on all the major podcast platforms or at www.unpolishedmba.com.

Host, Executive Producer of "Unpolished MBA" Podcast

Techstars

Startup Mentor

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

Licensed Realtor(R) with extensive knowledge and experience in real estate investing and construction.  
http://focusedrealtors.com

Focused Realtors LLC is affiliated with BHGRE Metro Brokers, the world's largest and most successful affiliate of Realogy Holdings Corp.

I assist clients with strategic planning and execution of real estate investments (residential and commercial) and small business relocation.  Member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors.

Founder and Managing Realtor(R) - Focused Realtors, LLC

Founder Institute

Launched cohort of new technology entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA.  Provide mentorship to early-stage tech entrepreneurs.  Taught curriculum sessions on Product Development and Product Management.
Based in Silicon Valley, the Founder Institute is the world's premier idea-stage accelerator and startup launch program in 200+ cities around the world. (http://fi.co)

Director (former) & Mentor (current)

Georgia State University

I teach "Entrepreneurial Thinking For Startups" at GSU's College of Business as part of the University's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute.

This course focuses on applying evidence-based entrepreneurship methods to go from an idea to a sustainable business model. Specifically, I teach students how to apply behavioral economics, the Customer Development Model and the Lean Startup methodology to develop, test and introduce new products/services to the market with a viable business model that can profitably fulfill their value proposition.  In addition, students are taught to persuasively pitch to prospective customers/investors.  

➡️ Teaching the process of entrepreneurship and innovation in addition to imparting practical knowledge and strategies that empower others to learn how to create value for the world and themselves is one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Entrepreneurship Lecturer

Berry College

Strategic advice and implementation for Women Of Color In STEM Entrepreneurship initiatives and NSF-funded research

Strategy Consultant and Advisory Board

STEM to Market

STEM to Market advances STEM women entrepreneurs, cultivates intentional and inclusive investors, and develops connections across STEM entrepreneurship ecosystems.  
It's a Kauffman Foundation-funded project of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) and consists of two components: 

1.) The AWIS Accelerator which provides entrepreneurial education and support to STEM women with research or technology they want to commercialize. 

2.) AWIS Intentional Investing which leverages systemic change expertise to empower investors and funders with the tools and strategies needed for inclusive and profitable investment decisions.

The Association of Women in Science (AWIS) focuses on increasing the representation, advancement and impact of women in STEM through evidence-based strategies, policies and solutions that eliminate barriers and bias from the workplace.

Advisory Board Member

Vanderbilt University

Strategy Consultant

GTM and Value Creation for Startups and SMBs

Entrepreneur = Someone who has designed a business model that enables them to get paid to solve problems

As a result of my curiosity and perpetual need to solve problems, I have founded 5 companies and work every day, helping companies capture opportunities and navigate business challenges.  

My current companies prioritize increasing REVENUES and ensuring PROFITS for companies using a customer-centric, technology-forward focus.

𝙏𝙋𝙈 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 - We work with Tech Startups, SMBs, Economic Development agencies, Consulates, and Research Universities and have developed partnerships with several of the most well-known Incubators and Accelerators nationwide. 
As a result of my experiences, there isn't much I haven't done or seen regarding building a company from scratch. 
Currently, we're heavily focused on helping companies prepare for a future with AI and understanding how it will affect their businesses

𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥--> This venture was created for me to acquire SMBs in B2B services with $1.5-5MM in EBITDA anywhere in the U.S. Most companies are owned by retiring owners who are seeking an exit from the business. 

I'm motivated by learning opportunities, solving big problems, and adding value to society by utilizing my skills, gifts, knowledge, and talents. 

I hold 
--an MBA with a concentration in Management of Technology, 
--a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology, 
--multiple leadership certificates, 
--a real estate license, 
--and the PMP® (Project Management Professional) credential. 
I'm also certified in online pedagogy at the University-level and love to teach what I know from experience as an Adjunct Professor at Business Schools (when I have time). 

Yea, I know...that's a lot! 
I've done a lot in my career and it wasn't by mistake.
I believe in making the most out of life, so it's critical to explore your interests and enjoy the journey as I've done. 

Although I'm a degreed electrical engineer and began my career as a highly technical expert in various industries, over time and with the addition of my MBA, I've expanded my interests and capabilities beyond anything I'd previously imagined.  

Well, If you're still here reading this ➡️ Don't interpret any of this bio as bragging. My education and experience are the leverage that has enabled me (and someone who looks like me) to be invited to be at the table, and it was a necessity for me to have maximum impact in the world to help others.

Happy to connect, learn new perspectives, and add value to the business ecosystem.

taplio

The Battle

Dave Gerhardt

🌻Monique Mills, MBA, PMP

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taplio

The Battle

Dave Gerhardt

🌻Monique Mills, MBA, PMP

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Dave Gerhardt's LinkedIn Performance

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