Sample Engagements

Business Plan Development and Implementation                                   

Telecom Services – Retained by the Board of Directors of a $100 million distressed telecom service provider to develop a business plan in the context of industry trends, internal capabilities and liquidity constraints. Negotiated lender forbearance to implement the plan and guided operating managers in the development of tactical implementation plans, metrics, targets and scorecards.

Staffing – Retained by a venture fund to develop a business plan, financial models and investor presentations for a series of planned acquisitions in the temporary staffing industry. The financial models were highly interactive, allowing sensitivity analysis with regard to growth in revenue per branch, number of branches and margins, with profit flowing through the related valuation model and investor returns analysis.

Managing Merger and Acquisition Initiatives                                                      

Therapy Services – Evaluated strategic growth opportunities for this contract provider of therapists to institutions. This multi-phased project included primary market research to identify business models, leading therapeutic approaches, critical success factors, evaluation of fit with parent company competencies, and development of pro-forma financial projections under a variety of market entry scenarios.

Educational Tutoring – Researched opportunities for this private equity fund to extend portfolio competencies in multi-center tutoring to new market segments. My primary research revealed attractive markets as defined by unmet demand, growth trends, required competencies and payment models. Follow-on engagements included due diligence services with respect to acquisition candidates.

Quick Service Restaurant – Hired by a group of operators to provide transaction advisory services in connection with their bid to acquire a restaurant chain with over 600 locations and $700 million in revenue.  VentureSpring developed an economic model quantifying the impact of planned operational improvements on revenue, profit, enterprise value and investor returns. The company was sold to a competing bidder at auction.

Ethanol Production – Provided transaction advisory and consulting services in connection with this client’s interest in acquiring a $160 million revenue ethanol manufacturing facility through a bankruptcy §363 sale. VentureSpring developed a valuation and guided the client through the steps necessary to become a qualified bidder. The company was sold to a competing bidder at auction.

Operational and Financial Due Diligence                                                             

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) – Provided acquisition due diligence on behalf of a private equity group seeking to acquire this $750 million PEO. VentureSpring quickly discovered a large ($8 million), growing, undisclosed federal tax liability and insufficient support for seller financial projections, resulting in early termination of due diligence, and saving the client the planned expense thereof.

Various Industries – A repeat client (private equity fund) has retained VentureSpring to perform acquisition due diligence and to draft investor/lender memoranda in support of planned acquisitions. Target companies have included a sign manufacturer, industrial engine repair business, boat manufacturer, and a packager.

Capital Sourcing                                                         

Industrial Electronics – Hired by the CEO to develop a valuation in support of capital raising efforts for this manufacturer of industrial intercom systems. The valuation was instrumental in obtaining a $3 million equity investment for this early stage venture.

Operational Improvement   

Therapist Staffing – Retained by a leading educational services company to provide interim financial management and process improvement consulting for this $20 million provider of contract therapy services. Developed a forecast model responsive to key drivers of profitability, documented optimal work process flow and responsibilities by function. Developed scorecards for workflow monitoring and tracking.

Enterprise Improvement and Sale                                                                           

Gift Food Marketing – Retained by the board of directors of a gift food manufacturer and marketer to recommend and implement restructuring or sale strategies. Identified and implemented specific opportunities to preserve cash, including elimination of unprofitable business segments. Drafted an offering memorandum, implemented a marketing campaign and consummated the sale of this $40 million company to a private equity fund, which used VentureSpring’s turnaround plan to secure financing.

Retail Consulting – Retained by the CEO/Owner to find a buyer for this $15 million boutique retail consulting firm. VentureSpring worked with management to develop targeted growth objectives, strategies and economic models, which were detailed in the offering memorandum. VentureSpring’s marketing effort resulted in the sale of the business to a strategic acquirer.

Boat Manufacturing – Partnered with a boutique consulting firm to serve as turnaround advisor to a $100 million manufacturer of powerboats. Developed an economic model for the business and a strategy to generate cash through limited production while marketing the business. Successfully implemented the operating strategy as a corporate Officer and mentored junior professionals in the generation of 13-week cash flow reporting and vendor management. Facilitated the sale of the company, as a going concern, to a strategic acquirer.

Litigation Consulting         

Flexible Packaging – Hired by counsel to the unsecured creditors to evaluate the plan of reorganization for this $350 million producer of flexible packaging, and to value proposed distributions to each class of creditor. Developed a valuation and waterfall model, provided expert valuation testimony via deposition, and obtained reorganized equity and a Board of Directors seat for pre-petition unsecured creditors.

Brand Management – The CEO of this brand management consulting group retained VentureSpring to estimate damages stemming from the unlawful termination of a contract with his largest account. Analyzed the portfolio of brands subject to royalties under the contract and estimated the total value based upon the lifecycle stage of each brand.
VentureSpring, LLC
220 Keith Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045


(312) 224-9815
tim@venturespring.com