From a Founder to Investor: Lessons from Building NI Controls

David’s session took us on a fascinating journey through the highs and lessons of building, scaling, and eventually selling a business. He founded NiControls.com, which grew into one of the world’s largest industrial automation websites, achieved 600% turnover growth, and expanded internationally with offices in the UK, Mexico, and Germany. After 18 years, he successfully exited the company, and today he focuses on investing in startups, mentoring founders, and sharing his wealth of experience.

Key takeaways from his talk included:

• How to Evaluate a Business – Beyond the numbers, buyers care about systems, contracts, and brand equity more than just turnover.

• From Founder to Managing Director – The mindset shift required to step back, build strong structures, and empower teams to run independently.

• Life After the Sale – The opportunities and challenges that come with stepping away after years of leading a company.

• Investing in Startups – What seasoned entrepreneurs look for, particularly in the B2B and e-commerce space, and how to spot genuine growth opportunities.

David’s mix of hard-earned figures and real-world advice made this session both inspiring and practical — the kind of talk that leaves entrepreneurs rethinking how they approach growth, leadership, and even their eventual exit.