Part of starting a business should be to create business value and be able to, at some predetermined point, realize that value.   How you exit the company depends on the desires of the founders and proper planning.   Typically there is very little measurable value associated with early stage technology even if there are patents. 

There are many 5-10 year old companies that generate a major portion of their companie’s revenue from the SBIR program and have a number of patents on the technology.   In most cases, unless there is a clear plan that is being properly executed, there is very little opportunity for the founders to exit with any significant realizable value.   Even if the company can be sold, the up front cash is usually minimal and if there is any value recognized by the founders it is usually years away.
PBC can evaluate your business, the founder’s desires, and other key factors to produce an exit strategy and plan to achieve the desired end game and exit strategy.