In a recent interview, Mar and Flippa CEO, Blake, sat down to discuss the booming Canadian tech landscape, the emotional journey of selling a company, and why preparing for an exit is like building a runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Serial Entrepreneur to Strategic Broker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mar isn\u2019t just a broker; he\u2019s been in the driver’s seat. With three decades of experience as a serial entrepreneur, Mar built and merged some of Canada\u2019s most significant branding agencies before successfully exiting in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He understands that an exit is not merely a financial transaction, it is a succession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I see a broker as being like a conductor in a symphony. We are here to harmonize instruments so that we have the best tune that comes out of it.”<\/em> – Mar El-Asfahani<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After his own exit, Mar realized he wasn’t ready to retire. Instead, he pivoted to consulting, helping business owners with Growth, Optimization, and Exit<\/strong>. Now, he brings that expertise to Flippa, focusing on high-value deals ranging from $1M to $15M<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For years, the narrative around Canadian tech has focused on the “brain drain” to the US. However, Mar sees a different reality on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With giants like Shopify<\/strong> headquartered in Toronto and world-class incubators like Communitech<\/strong> (Waterloo) and DMZ<\/strong>, Canada is producing high-value, proprietary technology companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem? Many Canadian founders limit themselves to local buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Flippa Advantage:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was Mar\u2019s philosophy on preparation. You cannot wake up one day, decide to sell, and expect a maximum valuation by noon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I build runways,”<\/em> Mar explains. “The stronger the runway, the bigger the plane, the higher it will fly.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A good broker helps you lay that track. They facilitate the hard conversations\u2014honest valuation checks, operational audits, and emotional preparation\u2014long before the deal hits the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What attracted Mar to Flippa wasn’t just the deal volume; it was the transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In traditional M&A, the process is often opaque. On Flippa, the Deal Room<\/strong> changes everything. Sellers can see buyer profiles, deal history, and budgets in real-time. It validates the market interest instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “To have Flippa be that resource where you can see the value of your business in real-time is incredibly powerful,”<\/em> says Mar. “Everyone wants to know their value.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mar is currently working with Canadian entrepreneurs in SaaS, eCommerce, and Digital Agencies<\/strong> looking to exit in the $1M\u2013$15M range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are a Canadian business owner wondering what your “runway” looks like, now is the time to start the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/flippa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-1.16.18\u202fPM.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Canadian Opportunity: More Than Just “Brain Drain”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why You Need a “Runway” for Your Exit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Transparency in the Deal Room<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ready to Discuss Your Exit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n