One advisor, from Exit Preparation to A First-Class Exit
Clear Value is a specialist exit advisory firm for Australian and New Zealand founder-led companies. We help founders achieve a first-class exit through Exit Preparation and Exit Management, and we are sector specialists in ecommerce, software and services. Founded by Ari Klinger and James Whalley, we work as a team on every engagement.
Experience across our team
$1bn+
transaction value advised on
50+
transactions completedHundreds
of buyer relationships supporting the Deep Buyer Waves processSECTOR EXPERIENCE
How we work with founders
Our work starts before the exit process begins. Through Exit Preparation, we help founders clarify what a Great Outcome looks like, understand the Exit Equation, identify value levers, close readiness gaps, sharpen the narrative with proof, prepare the sale materials and build early buyer understanding.
When the business is exit-ready, Exit Management runs a controlled, competitive process designed to maximise value and certainty while founders stay focused on the business. The aim is a first-class exit: higher exit value, greater certainty of outcome, less risk, and a better founder experience.
Partnership-led
Margin quality, repeat purchase, channel mix, inventory and brand strength.
Sector specialists
Retention, ARR quality, growth efficiency, product depth and category position.
One team
Recurring revenue, leadership depth, delivery systems, client concentration and key-person risk.
CO-FOUNDED BY ARI KLINGER AND JAMES WHALLEY
Co-founders
Ari Klinger
Ari has helped create value for founders as a board member, advisor and investor. Select companies include AuthSignal, Design.com, Factory, Hipages, HotDoc, Ignition, Kami, Morse Micro, Mwave and Reejig. Ari previously founded iMega, acquired by Enero Group; Online Marketing Group (OMG), acquired by Fairfax Media; and Spring.me, acquired by IAC/Match.
James Whalley
James' career has been focused on working with public and private technology and ecommerce companies. James is a co-founder at Clear Value and CEO and co-founder at FounderCo. James' track record includes helping founders across M&A, trade-sale and private equity exits, IPOs, venture capital and corporate development. He has sector experience across software (SaaS and on-premise), IT services, ecommerce, marketplaces, media, marketing and games.
OUR TEAM
Team
Curtis Minasian
DIRECTOR
Curtis works with founders through Exit Preparation and Exit Management. His experience spans more than five years in venture capital investing and M&A, partnering closely with founders to grow equity value and position businesses for exit. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Sydney.
Keven Chen
TEAM LEAD
Keven holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Sydney. He works on valuation, financial modelling and deal analysis across Exit Preparation and Exit Management, and was previously a management consultant advising large private and public sector clients on strategy and transformation.
Krishan Chauhan
ANALYST
Krishan works on market analysis, financial modelling and buyer research across Exit Preparation and Exit Management. He was previously a management consultant and a financial analyst at a global law firm. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
GETTING STARTED
How an engagement starts
It starts with a confidential conversation about your objectives, timing and current readiness. From there, the usual next step is a readiness discussion: what buyers would see in your business today, where the gaps are, and whether Exit Preparation or Exit Management is the right starting point. There is no obligation at any step, and we will tell you directly if we are not the right fit.
A CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATION
Talk to us about your exit
We can discuss your objectives, timing and current readiness, and determine the right next step.