Exit is something that founders “promise” for external investors. To get to exit takes both time and loads of work.
To “prepare and position” for exit takes typically 3-5 years. Allready in day-1, you should have TBD. “exit driven actions”-list.
Here is a article that have some advices for “exit driven actions”
https://medium.com/the-mission/how-startup-founders-can-prepare-for-an-acquisition-524dc8fbafea