Emerging Companies Case Studies

From start-up to sale

AGH began working with an interactive advertising and marketing agency in its infancy. We helped the three owners identify start-up capital needs and define their own niches to get the business going. Then we guided them in their formative years; we established cash flow models to gauge profit margins and acted in a CFO capacity on a monthly basis to help manage books and records. After several years, one partner wanted to move on to a new venture, so we facilitated an exit strategy that worked for all parties. Several years later, the remaining partners decided it was time to sell. AGH helped negotiate on behalf of our clients and provided reliable financial reports for the buyers. The bottom line: After starting the company and growing it with a small capital investment, the owners recognized enough from the sale to retire in their 30s.

Getting the right funding, maintaining the business

AGH worked side-by-side with a group of entrepreneurs who were creating a sports and entertainment center in Atlanta. AGH assisted in their endeavor to obtain private equity by developing cash flow models and the private placement memorandum. But the firm’s commitment didn’t end after the center was built. We meet with our client regularly to ensure the cash flow and business development roadmaps we helped engineer for their success are still fulfilling our client’s goals and are fine-tuned when they need to be. Today, the center is a premier entertainment destination.

Helping a start-up sell

AGH played a pivotal role in an IT staffing company’s quest to realize the sale price it desired. How did we do it?  We helped the company grow from its start-up phase and kept the channels of communication open through the sale. With a focus toward the owners’ goal of growing the business and then moving on to another venture, we advised in creating an exit strategy early in the process. AGH worked closely with the owners to maximize—and in some cases reengineer—company systems and processes to obtain the highest possible sale price. As a result, the company earned higher margins and a better bottom line. We also guided the company through important decisions by acting as its in-house CFO. When the company was well-polished, we worked alongside venture capitalists and investors to achieve our clients exit goal. The bottom line: The founders sold the business for more than $60 million in a few short years.