That sounds like an argument for the "slow pace" that you bemoan as a trait of the acquiring company. Slow growth and low risk go together. It's not a bad thing.
Good point - maybe what I'm looking for is the middle ground, to the extent that it's possible. I'd enjoy the stability of a slightly larger company, without the slowness and bureaucracy of a large one.
I think my wheelhouse would be a Series B and above growth trajectory company that is looking to flesh out it's founding team with established and experienced execs. Seems like a needle in a haystack.
I really think your network is the way to go here. Contact VC funds you've worked with, pitched to, or are otherwise connected with and talk to them about portfolio companies. As someone mentioned, recruiting/headhunting firms are usually on the lookout for executives as well.
Definitely not a needle in a haystack with a bit of networking. I have a similar story (not even as impressive as yours - 2x return to investors on an acquired seed-stage startup) and in 1-2 months of networking have plenty of inbound from Series B companies looking for VP/C-level folks.
This isn’t the most helpful answer but I’ve heard similarly to the sibling comment that most of the search for these roles happens through backchannels. There’s discussion around related topics in the app Blind.
Sure, I have lots of savings. But I also have children who will want to attend college, a mortgage, a lovely wife who is pursuing her non-mercenary interests and whole host of other reasons that make it fiscally possible yet not preferable for me want to do it again right now.
