Welcome to Future Proof in 5 by Marco Grüter
Future-Proof in 5 is the daily 5-minute podcast for founders and CEOs who want to build companies that last – not just grow.
Each episode delivers sharp, actionable insights on how to make your business more durable, transferable, and valuable – the three pillars of a Future-Proof Business™.
No fluff. No endless interviews. Just focused reflections that help you rethink how you lead, scale, and design a company that thrives without you.
Hosted by Marco Grüter, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Future-Proof Business System, this show blends strategy, systems, and mindset for the modern founder who wants freedom and legacy.
173 - The Real Reason Your Business Can’t Run Without You
Discover why your business slows down without you and how dependency, not growth, is the real constraint. Learn how to build a more resilient, valuable, and self-sufficient company.
172 - The Silent Growth Killer Holding Most Businesses Back
Discover the hidden factor that stalls business growth and why scaling starts with the founder, not the systems. Learn how shifting from doing more to designing for independence unlocks sustainable scale.
148 - How to Build a Founder-Optional Business
Learn how to transform a founder‑dependent company into a founder‑optional business. Discover how to shift from firefighting to architecture, delegate effectively, and build a system that runs without you.
147 - You Can’t Sell Chaos. Why Founder-Dependency Kills Valuation
Founder-dependency kills business valuation. Learn why buyers discount founder-led chaos and how to build a company that runs and sells without you. Discover how freedom and valuation are deeply connected.
145 - If Your Business Depends On You, It’s Not a Business; It’s a Bottleneck
If your business stalls without you, it’s not scalable or sellable. This episode reveals how to identify and fix founder dependency by designing systems that allow your company to run without you.
140 - What Discount Would a Buyer Apply to Your Business?
A founder lost 40% of the exit value during due diligence due to poor governance and over-dependence on the founder. This episode explores how hidden risks become buyer discounts and what to do about them.
130 - Could Your Company Pass the Transferability Test Today?
If your business depends on you to operate, it’s not transferable and not sellable. In this episode, discover what makes a company future-proof and attractive to buyers by building operational independence.
128 - Would Your Business Get a Premium or a Discount?
What determines if your company gets a premium or a discount at exit? This episode explores the valuation factors that buyers analyse from governance and transferability to key-person risk and resilience.
119 - Would the Buyer Pay Full Price for Your Company Today?
Most founders lose up to 50% of company value at exit due to hidden risks, not revenue. This episode reveals how client dependency, weak governance, and founder overreliance drive down buyer offers and how to address these issues.
118 - Could Your Company Pass the Six-Month Founder Test?
Can your business run without you for six months? This episode introduces the six-month founder test, a clear lens to evaluate dependency risk, leadership gaps, and scalability readiness for serious entrepreneurs.
108 - The Painful Truth About Founder-Dependent Companies
Many founder-led businesses look successful but collapse when it’s time to sell. This episode exposes the hidden trap of being indispensable and outlines what makes a company sellable from day one.
106 - Consistency Wins Over Complexity
Most business owners lack a plan for what happens when they step away. This episode breaks down the real cost of complexity and shows how consistency creates scalable, resilient businesses.
75 - Could Your Business Survive Without You?
If your business can’t run without you, it’s not scalable, sellable, or sustainable. This episode examines the crucial adjustments founders must make to eliminate bottlenecks, establish operational independence, and achieve genuine freedom.