The State of Private Equity in 2020 (Publication)
The state of global private equity in 2020 is complex, mainly due to economic activity drastically contracting since the second quarter. Many businesses are on the brink of collapse. In these extraordinary times, what are the main challenges that private equity funds face?
The Advantages of Hiring a Fractional CFO (Publication)
A fractional CFO is an experienced finance professional who brings extensive business management expertise to a company on a part-time or project basis. Hiring one at the right time can add significant long-lasting value to a business.
Business Analytics Tips: Harness Your Data to Improve Decision-making (Publication)
Many organizations that think they’re data-driven are still in first gear. How do you go from simply collecting a lot of data to setting up a business analytics function that actually tells you how to tweak your model to improve profitability?
How Freelance Private Equity Consultants Unlock Shareholder Value (Publication)
How can PE funds effectively deploy $1.5 trillion in dry powder? One solution: outsource certain types of work to high-quality freelance private equity consultants. Consultants can enhance a PE team’s firepower both internally and externally.
Starting an App Business the Right Way (Publication)
Building an app-based business can be a daunting project: Within such a competitive space, how can you make your app stand out, attract and retain the right audience, and then monetize it?
Reorganizing for Survival: Building Scenarios (Publication)
In the “new normal,” how should business leaders ensure that their business is well-equipped to survive and then thrive? Scenario analysis is a handy tool: How are scenarios built and translated into financial projections?
What to Consider in a Pandemic Business Continuity Plan (Publication)
How can businesses and shareholders think about ensuring their survival in an evolving pandemic? Business continuity plans have gone out of the window. How can they be adapted to survive the current situation?
The Price Is Right – A Pricing Strategy Overview for Consumer Companies (Publication)
Pricing your products appropriately is one of the keys to the success of your company. So why do entrepreneurs often treat it as an afterthought? What are some of the available pricing strategies and how should they be applied by startup entrepreneurs?
Imperfect Harmony: An Overview of SoundCloud vs. Spotify (Publication)
Not many industries have undergone the same level of transformation as the music industry - technology has changed every facet of the industry. File streaming has been nothing short of a revolution. What can be learned from Spotify vs. SoundCloud?
State of the Fintech Industry (with Infographic) (Publication)
Tech firms have enjoyed a deluge of funding in the last few years. Fintech is no exception. Now is the time to see which companies are here to stay and can become profitable - there will be some necessary consolidation and perhaps some high-profile failures.
What's a Startup Worth? Guidelines and Best Practices (Publication)
How do you value a startup or a scaleup? This is a question that plagues both founders and investors. Arriving at a figure all parties can agree upon is not very straightforward: ultimately, valuation is more of an art than a science.
What Happened to BlackBerry: Zombie Stock or Comeback King? (Publication)
What happened to Blackberry? The company, once the most valuable in Canada, has effectively been a zombie stock for a while. Is the picture painted by the stock a fair one, particularly for a company whose revenues are up 20% YoY?
Looks That Thrill - Inside the Booming Beauty Industry (Publication)
How has the beauty industry become extremely innovative? How did Glossier and The Ordinary approach (and crack) the problem of enticing consumers, building brand loyalty and creating unique experiences? The lessons are relevant for all DTC companies.
Looking at Failed IPOs in the Age of the Unicorn (Publication)
For many years, the IPO market appeared dormant. 2019, however, is bucking the trend with a large number of high-profile tech companies going live on stock exchanges. Not all of these IPOs have been successes. What is the process and what determines success (or lack thereof)?
Plant Power: A Look at Beyond Meat and Its Competitors (Publication)
One of the most notable developments of recent years has been the boom in veganism. The Beyond Meat Company’s IPO in May 2019 captured this zeitgeist and is one of the stand-out financial events of the year. Can the company live up to the hype and satisfy its investors?
From Allbirds to Patagucci: The Ultimate Guide to Finance Fashion (Publication)
Having the right look has always been important in finance. As dress codes are relaxing and the gamut of careers are expanding, what should one wear? From Allbirds to Patagucci, a style guide for financial services.
Lessons from Warren Buffett’s Investment Strategy and His Mistakes (Publication)
Warren Buffett’s reputation as an investor has become legendary. What can an individual investor learn from Warren Buffett’s investment style, his philosophy, and some of his past mistakes?
What is a Down Round and How to Avoid One (Publication)
Anyone vaguely familiar with the venture capital industry knows that down rounds are bad news. But what exactly are they, and why do they occur? What alternatives do founders have to avoid a down round?
How to Craft a Successful Go to Market Strategy (Publication)
As a venture investor, Natasha Ketabchi spends most of her day evaluating tech startups as potential investments. In early-stage investments, Natasha finds that the three things that matter most are team, product, and sales and marketing approach—including their go to market strategy. In this article, Natasha lifts the veil on what venture investors look for in a solid GTM plan.