At McKenzie Shanahan, we use a strategic, hands-on approach to identify and invest in pre-startups, startups, and growth-stage companies. Our goal is to provide tailored support and capital to high-potential businesses, focusing on long-term value creation. Below are the investment stages we focus on, along with our strategies and solutions for each.

1. Pre-Startup Stage: Seed Investments

Strategy: Identifying Early-Stage Potential

At the pre-startup stage, we invest in founders and ideas that show significant potential for growth. We focus on:

• Market Opportunity: Identifying underserved markets with high growth potential.

• Founder Evaluation: Backing visionary founders with a passion for solving real-world problems.

• Product Validation: Ensuring that the startup's product is addressing a clear market need through initial customer validation or proof-of-concept.

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Solutions:

• Mentorship and Guidance: Providing early-stage support for business development, product-market fit, and go-to-market strategies.

• Seed Capital: Offering initial funding to build the product and establish a market presence.

• Network Access: Connecting founders with industry experts, advisors, and potential customers.

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2. Startup Stage: Early Growth Investments

Strategy: Building Scalable Businesses

At the startup stage, we focus on businesses that have a proven concept and are ready to scale.

 

Our strategy includes:

• Product-Market Fit: Ensuring that the startup has validated its product and has a solid customer base.

• Scalability Potential: Assessing the startup's ability to scale quickly, whether through technology, processes, or market expansion.

• Operational Efficiency: Helping businesses streamline operations and improve margins for sustainable growth.

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Solutions:

• Growth Capital: Providing funding to scale operations, expand product offerings, and enter new markets.

• Operational Support: Offering expertise in streamlining operations, expanding teams, and improving financial management.

• Strategic Partnerships: Facilitating key partnerships with customers, suppliers, and distributors to accelerate growth.

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3. Growth Stage: Scaling and Expansion

Strategy: Accelerating Growth and Preparing for Exit

At the growth stage, companies are looking for capital to expand aggressively.

 

Our strategy focuses on:

• Market Leadership: Identifying companies with the potential to dominate their respective markets.

• Revenue Diversification: Ensuring that startups build multiple revenue streams to reduce dependency on a single source of income.

• Exit Strategy Planning: Helping startups develop clear paths to liquidity events like IPOs, mergers, or acquisitions.

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Solutions:

• Expansion Capital: Supporting businesses with funding to scale operations, acquire competitors, or expand geographically.

• Strategic Advisory: Offering high-level guidance on business expansion, operations, and exit strategies.

• M&A Advisory: Assisting companies in identifying acquisition opportunities or preparing for merger and acquisition processes.

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4. Long-Term Investments: Sustainable Growth and Buyouts

Strategy: Sustainable Growth and Market Leadership

In our long-term investments, we focus on established companies looking for a strategic rebrand or turnaround.

 

We focus on:

• Sustainable Business Models: Backing companies that demonstrate a strong ability to generate consistent, long-term growth.

• Innovation and Process Improvement: Helping companies innovate and streamline operations to remain competitive in a changing market.

• Rebranding and Restructuring: Providing capital and guidance for companies looking to revamp their business model or expand into new markets.

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Solutions:

• Buyouts: Taking control of established companies to improve profitability and market position.

• Operational Restructuring: Implementing best practices in governance, operations, and finance to improve business performance.

• Sustainable Growth Strategies: Focusing on long-term, sustainable growth and reinvesting profits into the business to ensure future success.

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Why McKenzie Shanahan?

We believe that every stage of investment requires a unique approach. Our experienced team works closely with founders and entrepreneurs, offering not just capital but a wealth of industry expertise and a deep commitment to long-term success. We prioritize investments that align with our values of Integrity, Innovation, and Community Impact, ensuring that each partnership we make has the potential to transform industries and communities.

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Get in Touch

If you're a startup looking for support, or if you're ready to take your business to the next stage, contact us today at info@mckenzieshanahan.com.