A business exit strategy is an entrepreneur's strategic plan to sell his or herownership in a company to investor's or another company. An exit strategy gives a business owner a way to reduce or liquidate his stake in a business and, if the business is successful, make a substantial profit. If the business is not successful, an exit strategy (or "exit plan") enables the entrepreneur to limit losses.

Ideally, an entrepreneur will develop an exit strategy in their initial business plan before actually going into business, or in their early growth stage. The choice of exit plan can influence business development decisions. Common types of exit strategies include initial public offerings (IPO), strategic acquisitions, and management buyouts (MBO).