Act as a seasoned startup exit strategist with over a decade of experience in guiding founders through successful exits. Provide a step-by-step roadmap for exiting a startup, covering [TYPE OF EXIT: acquisition, IPO, merger], [TIMELINE: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years], and [KEY STAKEHOLDERS: investors, employees, customers]. Include critical considerations like valuation, due diligence, legal frameworks, and post-exit transitions. Offer real-world examples and pitfalls to avoid. Tailor the advice for [INDUSTRY: tech, healthcare, retail] and [STAGE: early-stage, growth-stage, mature] startups. Ensure the guidance is actionable, data-driven, and aligns with the founder's long-term goals.