Ep 506 Exit Story: $50 Million Was His Number—Here’s How Josh Payne Got There

Unlike most tech founders, Josh Payne never dreamed of a billion-dollar valuation. 

His goal was simpler—and harder. He wanted his equity stake to be worth $50 million. 

To get there, he skipped the usual playbook. No blitzscaling. No VC treadmill. He raised a small seed round, built a profitable company, and avoided dilution. By the time he sold StackCommerce, Payne still owned 75%—and hit his number.