Inside a Strategic Buyer's Playbook: Buyer's Corner with Sharon Van Zeeland, Rockwell Automation
Fri Feb 06 2026
Sharon Van Zeeland | Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development | Rockwell Automation
What do strategic buyers actually look for before they make an acquisition?
In this Buyer's Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast, Sharon Van Zeeland shares how Rockwell Automation approaches M&A—from target identification and diligence through integration and value creation. Sharon explains what founders often misunderstand about buyer priorities, why profitability and focus matter more than ever, and how transparency can make or break a deal.
A must-listen for tech CEOs who want to understand how strategic acquirers think—and how to position their company accordingly.
Key takeways:
• What strategic buyers value beyond revenue
• How corporates assess product fit and risk
• Why transparency speeds up M&A deals
• How founders can prepare to be acquisition-ready
00:00 – Introduction & Sharon's background
01:00 – Rockwell's acquisition strategy
02:50 – What makes a company attractive to buyers
04:30 – Product and technology diligence
07:30 – Common red flags founders underestimate
09:15 – How deals get delayed or derailed
10:20 – Post-close integration realities
11:25 – Advice for founders planning an exit
13:10 – Closing thoughts
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Sharon Van Zeeland | Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development | Rockwell Automation What do strategic buyers actually look for before they make an acquisition? In this Buyer's Corner episode of the TechExits Podcast, Sharon Van Zeeland shares how Rockwell Automation approaches M&A—from target identification and diligence through integration and value creation. Sharon explains what founders often misunderstand about buyer priorities, why profitability and focus matter more than ever, and how transparency can make or break a deal. A must-listen for tech CEOs who want to understand how strategic acquirers think—and how to position their company accordingly. Key takeways: • What strategic buyers value beyond revenue • How corporates assess product fit and risk • Why transparency speeds up M&A deals • How founders can prepare to be acquisition-ready 00:00 – Introduction & Sharon's background 01:00 – Rockwell's acquisition strategy 02:50 – What makes a company attractive to buyers 04:30 – Product and technology diligence 07:30 – Common red flags founders underestimate 09:15 – How deals get delayed or derailed 10:20 – Post-close integration realities 11:25 – Advice for founders planning an exit 13:10 – Closing thoughts