About
Lowell Ricklefs is the founder of Traction Advising, a boutique M&A firm focused on sell-side transactions for B2B SaaS companies. His background includes founding, building, and selling SaaS companies, as well as acquiring and integrating them. Through Traction Advising, he works with SaaS founders on identifying acquirers, positioning their companies, and negotiating exits.
Experience
- Traction Advising M&AFoundercurrent2015 — presentSeattle
- FoundationsInvestor/Mentorcurrent2024 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
- Alliance of AngelsBoard Membercurrent2017 — present
- AscendInvestor/Mentorcurrent2023 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
- Graham & WalkerInvestor/Mentorcurrent2021 — presentGreater Seattle Area
- Founders Co-opInvestor/Mentorcurrent2012 — present
- TechstarsInvestor/Mentorcurrent2012 — present
- Nomadic MindsMentorcurrent2015 — present
- eventcoreBoard/CEO Advisor2018 — 2022
- Branded Research, Inc.Board/CEO Advisor2019 — 2022
- German Marshall Fund of the United StatesMentor2018 — 2022
- LuumBusiness Strategy Advisor2017 — 2018
- FlexMinderCEO, Chairman & Founder2012 — 2017Greater Seattle Area
- Toluna CorporateGroup Chief Operating Officer (bought by ITWP)2007 — 2012Paris, France
- GMIChief Revenue Officer (bought by WPP)2004 — 2007Greater Seattle Area
- Rockwell AutomationGeneral Manager Americas Rockwell Software2001 — 2004
- Rockwell AutomationVP Global Channels (Sales)1999 — 2001
Skills & more
Complex problem solvingNegotiation16Strategy93Problem Solving5Management21Strategic Thinking2Strategic Planning15Leadership23Organizational Leadership6Board Level8Entrepreneurship53Product Management63
+12 more
Start-upsBusiness PlanningBusiness Process ImprovementBusiness DevelopmentBusiness StrategyMergers & AcquisitionsMarket ResearchOperations ManagementLead GenerationB2BSalesBusiness IntelligenceLanguages French
From Lowell's professional profile.
Colleagues at Alliance of Angels
Abishek Sankaranarayanan
Life Science Fellow at Alliance of Angels
Bob Lord
Innovation Fund Administrator at Alliance of Angels
Bob Wallach
Industry Advisor at Altelan
Bob Wallach
Board Member at Alliance of Angels
Brent Weeks
Innovation Fund Administrator at Alliance of Angels
Charles Porter
Board Member at Alliance of Angels
Chris Igielski
Innovation Fund Administrator at Alliance of Angels
Dan Menser
Vice Chairman at Alliance of Angels
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Lowell Ricklefs?
- Lowell Ricklefs is the founder of Traction Advising, a boutique M&A firm focused on sell-side transactions for B2B SaaS companies. His background includes founding, building, and selling SaaS companies, as well as acquiring and integrating them. Through Traction Advising, he works with SaaS founders on identifying acquirers, positioning their companies, and negotiating exits.
- Where does Lowell Ricklefs work?
- Lowell Ricklefs is Board Member at Alliance of Angels.
- Where did Lowell Ricklefs go to school?
- Lowell Ricklefs studied at University of Wisconsin-Madison (BSEE, Computer and Electrical Engineering).
Founder mafias
Techstars mafia238
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
David CummingsTechstars Boulder Accelerator 2012Founded Undaunted +4Jeremy AchinCloud Class 2013Founded Neo Cybernetica +2TJ ParkerTechstars Boston Accelerator 2013Founded Tjparker +2Spencer RascoffMentorFounded HeyLibby +2Sanjiv SanghaviTechstars New York City Accelerator 2012Founded Texture +2Brandon PatonMentorFounded Glider +2
+ 231 more
University of Wisconsin-Madison mafia59
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Chris FernandezBachelor of Science (BS)Founded Mindful Health +1Andy KonwinskiBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Perplexity +1Thorbjørn RønjeB.ScFounded Risika +1Gabe KrambsMathematics and Computer ScienceFounded Compound +1Jack PawlikBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded Dripos +1Ray LiaoVisiting studentFounded Empallo +1
+ 52 more
Alliance of Angels mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Alliance of Angels mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Founders' Co-op mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended University of Wisconsin-Madison247
Zhenyu TangInvestment Director at Intel CapitalDougAdvisor at Clear VenturesDan RuchPartner at Rho VenturesGeorge RobertsInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersKevin WenzelAssociate at Marlin Equity PartnersHelen LiangFounder & General Partner at FoundersX Ventures
+ 241 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Rockwell Automation14
Brian ActonCo-founder of WhatsApp; co-founder of Signal FoundationDavid HartfordSenior Advisory Board at IronGate Capital AdvisorsPaul MeierPartner at Cultivation CapitalScott ButtonManaging Director at Clarevia VenturesTom NoonanGeneral Partner at TechOperators Venture CapitalArrigo BoddaInvestor at Walnut Venture Associates
+ 8 more