Exit completed, now what? Tips for founders for the time afterward – from the wealth manager of Rothschild & Co.

Henrik Herr is Managing Director of Rothschild & Co Vermögensverwaltung GmbH and writes here why the exit is just the beginning – and how founders can really get started afterwards .

Selling a company marks the culmination of a founder's entrepreneurial career. However, anyone who believes that the exit necessarily spells the end of their career is mistaken: According to ScienceDirect, only 20 percent of entrepreneurs completely retire after the sale. The majority, however, remain active – just in a new role: from operational decision-maker to strategic investor.

But with this new role comes new challenges. The responsibility isn't diminishing; it's shifting: It's no longer about managing a company, but rather about wisely managing what is usually a significant amount of wealth. And all this in a world characterized by uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and volatile markets.

Accordingly, many approach the task of preserving, protecting, and increasing their wealth with respect. The familiar focus on their own business gives way to a multitude of opportunities—and risks.

The good news is: With their entrepreneurial horizons, former entrepreneurs have important tools in their luggage to be successful as investors.