Once the planned objectives have been met, it is time to step down and take on another challenge. Normally, the exit is plannned to happen in some 3-7 years' time from the investment, according to the exit plan agreed upon before the agreement was closed.

The exit can be carried out in many ways: an initial public offering, a management buy-out or buy-in (MBO, MBI), a sale of the entire company or a sale-back to the original owners are all known exits.