Start-Up Services
We typically stage our services into four broad steps, moving through each phase based on milestones.
1. Development Stage
We leverage our wealth of knowledge and experience in developing and launching industry ecosystems to help determine whether the proposed initiative should proceed to launch.
The goal is to help our clients validate market needs and problems, assess redundancy, consider whether end goals can be accomplished within an existing initiative, and define the funding necessary to maintain a sustainable multi-year effort.
Working side-by-side with the founders, we deliver a Go/No Go recommendation based on the above criteria.
After receiving a Go decision, we move development activities to the Structural Phase.
2. Structural Phase
This process lays the foundation for a thriving efficient, scalable, financially and legally sound ecosystem.
Using our proven best practices, we structure a legal entity with a solid platform for success. Most of our clients structure as one of several types of corporations, including 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (6) Non-Profit, an LLC, or a joint venture. This structure makes it possible for individuals and entities to collaborate while minimizing the legal and financial risks found in ad hoc, unstructured hand-shake promise efforts.
Our people work with trusted external legal resources to create organizational structures, governance and operational policies, intellectual property and licensing provisions, membership programs and work flow methodologies that are customized to the unique objectives of each ecosystem.
Once we’ve helped assemble a critical mass of fellow travelers we move to the Market Phase.
3. Go-To-Market Phase
We help refine and expand on the differentiated market position identified during the Development phase. We hone clear value propositions and messages to communicate with and to motivate participation by stakeholders.
The goal is to recruit new members into the ecosystem, and drive the initiative to public launch. We focus on developing the required marketing communication strategies and executing a website, communication materials and strategic media and industry analyst relations campaign designed to engage the broader community.
Programmatic outreach continues after launch to continue increasing visibility and awareness in all stakeholder communities of interest. At the end of this phase, our engagement moves to Ecosystem Management and Growth.
4. Growth Phase
We offer a full suite of services for both existing and forming ecosystems. Our services are designed to fuel growth manage day-to-day operations. They can be procured fully outsourced — where we take on associated payroll, benefits, and facilities burden — or in a range of in source and out source option to reflect the availability of dedicated volunteers or full time staff.
In either case services can be deployed as and when they are needed. You can benefit from shared resources or have fully dedicated personnel. And you can procure all our services together or in a la carte mode to specific needs.
Services include:
- Dedicated or shared executive management
- Technology programs, including plugfests, compliance, and formal certification
- Strategic marketing, proliferation and communications programs, including domestic and international media and analyst relations
- Event Management, including membership meetings and regional outreach
- Committee management, activity management, and program management
- Virtual Business Operations, including membership services, financial management, vendor and supply chain management, and website oversight/services)
To read more go to Ongoing Services.