My strongly-held belief:
Founders are the best at selling the strategic M&A rationale.
When you take a founder-led approach:
You open doors to commercial partnerships.
Your business isn't a commodity that's 'For Sale'.
You keep control of 'the process,' ensuring it's driven by someone who truly cares.
You learn faster and can iterate more effectively.
Yes, it means rolling up your sleeves.
Sure, it might take more time.
But in the end, the founder-led path has the highest probability of success.