Keiretsu Squared is here to serve two groups in two ways: we both actively build best-of-breed investment opportunities with executives and, moreover, we reduce the risk of private-equity investing for investors.
Keiretsu Squared’s mission is “To Radically Accelerate A Company’s Path To Market Growth and Liquidity.” We actively build best of breed investment opportunities, taking companies from high potential to rapid growth. And, by doing so, we protect both Keiretsu Forum members and other investors.
We achieve this through several types of programs. The material below covers specifics, team biographies, and the application process for each of these.
Keiretsu Squared’s programs are open to all companies, including but not limited to Keiretsu Forum portfolio companies and applicants.
Creating Alignment Between Investors and Executive Team Members
We encourage both investors (on behalf of all of their portfolio companies) and executives to conduct a team alignment exercise using the Company Overview form for our K2 Velocity Program, downloadable here. Once the executive team gathers with each other to review both each individual’s responses and their investors’ responses, new ways of looking at what might limit and expand growth will emerge.
Quantifying Risk Reduction
Early stage private equity investing … and entrepreneurship … carries very significant risk. Investors can loose their principal, or receive only a nominal return due to dilution. Entrepreneurs may end up only “richer for the experience.” So, why can we make such bold statements about accelerating the path to a return when we work with companies?
By simply quantifying the value of time.
Read MoreThe Angel Resource Institute’s 2016 HALO Report noted that the overall cash on cash multiple for the period studied is estimated at 2.5x Capital. The average holding period has increased by 25% since the prior study to 4.5 years. This leads to a gross IRR of 22% across all losses and successes. But, the report found that the biggest wins typically took nine or ten years to complete.
Simply decreasing that average time by three to six months significantly increases IRR. Shifting the time until liquidity for investments that take eight years down to even as long as seven, or six, years also significantly increases IRR. Also, faster results enable investors to re-deploy capital sooner for other investments. And, reducing the risk of follow-on investors mandating terms that increase dilution to earlier investors is critical.
Broadening a company’s own internal team with an interdisciplinary team that sees blind spots and anticipates the challenges ahead … and then uses a concerted, planned, interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and even global approach that exceeds what entrepreneurs can do within their own teams … maximizes effectiveness, increases speed, and reduces risk. The contacts and resources within the Keiretsu network add even more value.
International Development and Market Entry Program
The K2 Velocity Program is a global program open to companies around the world. Additionally, we create programs designed specifically to enable executives from around the world to launch their products, and also new divisions of their companies, in the U.S. while they focus their time on running their companies abroad.
Read MoreDepending on the Participant’s objectives, Keiretsu’s customized and personalized international development programs incorporate and include the active participation of any, or all, of sales and business development executives, Specialists from among the K2 Velocity Program’s Team Members, and, San Francisco and Silicon Valley based attorneys.
Our approach will most always include using U.S. based sales, business development, and marketing specialists to secure sales, product distribution, alliances, and strategic partnerships in the U.S. market. In some cases, it may be better to also launch subsidiaries or divisions of companies in the U.S. through the addition of seasoned and experienced U.S. based executives and lawyers.
K2 Velocity Program
The three-month long K2 Velocity Program brings each Participant an interdisciplinary group of experts who work hands-on in a cohesive manner to both solve the challenges companies face and proactively address the problems they may eventually face.
The Program’s detailed schedule and structure is in the full Program Overview.
Read Program Overviews Apply to Join Program SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAM
Read MoreEach participant’s senior executive team works sequentially with different types of Specialists. Some Specialists work in sub-teams, so Participants benefit from the wisdom of several Specialists with experience in a specific specialty. Moreover, the entire K2 Team of Specialists is in continuous dialogue about all Participants, passing specific directions about what actions other Specialists should take to assist Participants.
Concurrently, Specialists lead weekly, working conference calls that include all current Participants. The content of each call is developed specifically for the Participants on the call, based on the content in the Company Overviews, the individual work in progress with each Company, and the recommendations of the other Specialists. While some educational content may be covered, the bulk of the calls involve working on solutions for Participants’ specific situations.
The K2 Velocity Program is sequenced to increase each Specialist’s effectiveness with Participants. The Team functions as a cohesive unit, yet each type of Specialist fulfills a specific element in maximizing the fulfillment of each Participant’s full potential.
An intangible part of what we do in the K2 Velocity Program is identifying and proactively addressing blind-spots. This, along with the overall approach, produces changes in trajectory that come about quickly and can create non-linear growth. The smartest, most experienced, most accomplished, and wealthiest entrepreneurs know that they cannot help but miss seeing options and alternatives when they are focused in on addressing immediate challenges.
Sales Implementation Program
Investors and CEOs during series A and series B stage development face a common problem … and potentially costly risk.
Read MoreWe help our Participants cover their bases. We are ready to put in place quickly a sales team (not just one or two sales people) from any industry, all of which can work concurrently for the company. That means our Participants are not dependent on making one choice the right choice.
Then, our Sales Development and Sales Implementation Accelerators draw from the comprehensive sales component of the Velocity Program. We put in place the best of Keiretsu Squared’s sales processes to help the sales team be more effective … faster.
Management Team Program
Keiretsu Squared’s Management Team Program addresses two of the most critical needs faced by early stage companies: time bandwidth and the balance between expertise and capital.
Read MoreThough leadership at this stage is generally being pulled in multiple directions by multiple priorities, companies at this stage can only grow revenue faster than they deplete capital through leveraged and massive action guided by expertise and wisdom from solid executive teams. What happens during this critical time affects a company’s valuation and a shareholder’s potential dilution when the time eventually comes for follow-on financings. Yet, the cash available during this phase rarely supports the expense of a comprehensive and complete executive team.
Keiretsu Squared’s customized Management Team Program solves this paradox. Keiretsu Squared brings full management teams with on-point expertise into companies to join founders and manage this race. The team is supported by participation from various members of the Keiretsu Squared Velocity Program Team, providing some or all of the expertise that companies might have to pay large retainers to obtain from companies that provide P.R., Branding, Legal, Marketing, and other services. Collectively, we handle this stage and build the company to the point at which it can attract its permanent management team.
Our Teams
Participants in Keiretsu Squared’s international and management programs receive the benefit of two sets of experts. These programs include both executives matched specifically to each Participant’s industry, market, and stage of development and, also, active participation from the team of Specialists that work through the K2 Velocity Program.
The K2 Velocity Program’s Team of Specialists includes the following and many more experts:
Read More About Our Team
Michael Gralnick – Author, Keiretsu Forum Due Diligence Process Handbook
Finance Acceleration Team
Keiretsu Forum Members Selected Based on Industry Expertise
Sales Development Accelerators
Robert Kim Wilson – Author, They Will Be Giants: 21st Century Entrepreneurs and the Purpose-Driven Business Ecosystem
Sales Implementation Accelerators
Mike Griego – Author, 42 Rules to Increase Sales Effectiveness (2nd Edition): A Practical Guidebook for Sales Reps, Sales Managers and Anyone Looking to Improve their Selling Skills
Lead Operational Management Accelerator
In partnership with Industry Specific Management Specialists Through The Marin County Chapter of the COO Forum
Human Capital Accelerator
Public Relations and Communications Accelerator:
Marketing Accelerators:
Branding Accelerator:
Product Commercialization Accelerator Team
Mike Keer and The Product Realization Group
Deal Structure and Resolution Accelerator
Technology Accelerator Team
Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Medical Devices Accelerator
Applied Material Sciences and Automation Accelerator
Clean Technology Accelerator
The K2 Velocity Program’s Team of Specialists includes:
Lead Accelerator
“Michael’s knowledge about step-by-step business development best practices and real world knowledge greatly helped us make strategic and tactical plans with provable results. I think his insightful advice could help many companies secure funding or accelerate growth.” John West Chief Operating Officer, MPOCTMichael Gralnick
Sales Development Accelerator
“Kim and I have collaborated on number of occasions. It was his expertise in the area of Knowledge Management that first brought us together. He introduced me to a completely new way of thinking about how to capture and leverage not just what was in an organizations information systems, but also what is in people’s heads. I had a client at that time who was sorely in need of help in Knowledge Management and Kim was clearly the most ‘knowledgeable’ person I had ever met in that field. Since then I’ve watched Kim take leadership positions in more than one firm. Every experience I’ve had with him since then has re-affirmed that Kim is one of the most ethical, innovative and result oriented leaders that I know.” Ron Lamb Enterprise Strategy & Architecture at Microsoft/Co-Chair Cal Poly Computer Engineering Industry Advisory BoardRobert Kim Wilson
Lead Operational Management Accelerator
“I had the distinct pleasure to work for Theodore at Greenline Industries, a leader in the biodiesel business sector. He was challenged as the CEO to finance, grow and integrate a start-up company. His vision, dedication, and organizational skills were instrumental in positioning the company for extreme growth during the peak of biodiesel production demand. He was instrumental in securing a contract for the first integrated biodiesel production facility for electric power generation. Mr. Lavoie is an excellent visionary leader and and respected business partner.” Charles Slaughter President, GOES GreenTheodore Lavoie
Sales Development Accelerator
“I was working with George on a real large and complex IT outsourcing bid and through his involvement we succeeded in winning this deal. George has got the talent and exceptional skills in managing and winning complex bids. In particular his ingenuity in qualifying customers’ decision team requirements and individual motivations and to transfer this knowledge into a winning sales strategy makes him so successful. In difficult situations George stays positive and demonstrates his leadership qualities. George has got outstanding interpersonal skills flavoured with a great sense of humour. It would be my pleasure to work with him again in the future.” Frank Holzhäuser MD, Magellan Network Services Ltd., EMEAGeorge Ross
Human Capital Accelerator
“Paul is an amazing professional, who inspires those around him - clients and peers alike - through his passion for their success, diligent approach, and strong integrity. Paul went the extra mile to assure the continued development of our start up and executive team members when very few other firms would listen to our story. Thank you for an outstanding job!” Phil Lori CEO at TrueNorthPaul Herrerias
Marketing Accelerator
"Sarah is a tremendous resource for brand development, marketing, and even graphics and layout work. She can take a concept from beginning to end, and capture your idea quickly and succinctly. Her diligence and work ethic are unparalleled."
Tim CroftonGeneral Manager, Datacom Systems
Sarah Bond
Branding Accelerator
“I have had the privilege of successfully engaging Mr. Barson and Blue Bolt Marketing at two community banks where I needed assistance in determining the brand and providing the discipline to define the brand experience. Fred offers a unique insight to discover your true brand. He has the skills, experience and talent to determine the proper tools to use, develops the work with both qualitative and quantative analysis, and still can translate the findings so everyone can understand the results. He does not provide a “quick fix” to any branding discovery, instead his approach is strong and methodical to ensure the results are both meaningful and actionable for today and tomorrow. Fred is very patient with more tactical minds, those that don’t initially understand the long-term value of developing and nurturing the brand, but eventually, he will bring them to understand the critical importance of the work, and why it is paramount to their success.” Thomas Smith Compliance Specialist at Gardner TruckingFred Barson
Lead Product Commercialization Accelerator
“As a first time hardware entrepreneur, PRG’s help was invaluable in helping me map out the NPI process. I have much more clarity about the entire manufacturing process, from high level personnel requirements through to specific CM contract details. Mike and team are extremely user friendly and I will be engaging them for help in the future.” Nicki Boyd Co-founder and CEO VersaMeMike Keer
Deal Structure and Resolution Accelerator
“Mike is my legal quarterback. I bring him in on all legal issues and rely on his ability to identify the appropriate response and the appropriate legal person in his firm to address our needs in a timely and efficient manner. He and has firm have been invaluable counselors regarding employment law, intellectual property, real estate, securities/financing and corporate law matters.” Bill Hoover VP of Finance. JumpStartMDMichael Sebree
Technology Accelerator
“Derek was an outstanding leader with an uncanny ability to quickly assess the impact changes would have on both organizational processes and procedures as well as on the individuals involved. As a manager, he adeptly brought together a new team with disparate skill sets and home bases scattered across the US and EMEA, helping us to quickly reach top performance while building a sense of camaraderie. He always sought our expertise and created plans based on the best ideas brought forth, regardless of roles and responsibilities. He is a creative thinker, passionate leader and visionary who puts people first while achieving measurable results. I can’t speak highly enough of Derek and what a pleasure it was to work for him.”
Laura Kurek
Operations Manager, Public Sector Partner Organization at Cisco SystemsDerek Barnes
Technology Accelerator
“I had the pleasure to work with Elaine at Clean Power Finance as her direct report. Under her leadership the team transformed from an early stage development team to a mature engineering organization with full blown development, QA and devops teams. Elaine was extremely focused on quality. She was supportive of the QA team when we had to make some difficult calls for not releasing features that did not meet quality standards. Elaine has been a proponent of self managed teams and made huge strides in empowering her teams to make operational decisions.”
Rajesh Bijlani
Director of Quality Engineering at Nivio.comElaine Zhou
Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Medical Devices Accelerator
“Dr. Apfel is a brilliant scientist with a track record of success. The publication of his landmark PONV study in the NEJM speaks not only to his scientific acumen but also demonstrates his ability to motivate large groups of people towards a common goal (this was a multicenter study enrolling thousands of patients). On top of all this, he is a nice guy. Easy to work with; would be a great addition to any scientific team.” Neil Singla, M.D., CEO at Lotus Clinical Research, Inc.Christian Apfel
Applied Material Sciences and Automation Accelerator
"Prabhu is one of those rare leaders with a talent for both engineering and business development. I've watched him complete the fastest new product development in company history and fill up a very sizable pipleine. Prabhu fully exercised his leadership skills to motivate his team to achieve such an accomplishment. He is constantly networking and buidling relationships, which shows in his ability to get solid customer input, generate new business and help his team. Prabhu is highly strategic, analytical and though provoking." Sujeet Karna Solutions Director at American Traffic SolutionsPrabhu Soundarrajan
Clean Technology Accelerator
“In negotiating and closing complex equipment leases, I could always count on integrity and thoroughness from Peter. He was the consummate professional in every aspect of his position, but also possesses a great sense of humor and firm grasp of all things financial and business. I would strongly recommend Peter.”
VP Business Development Officer at Bank of Marin-Financing Solution Provider
Peter Freeman
Technology Accelerator
“When our institutional division, with hundreds of billions of dollars under management, was releasing its online application for our money manager customers, we were unable to release the application on the promised release date due to a significant performance and scalability problem that the development team was unable to fix. I tapped Carl to solve the problem and he quickly figured out the bottlenecks and came up with solutions. After his recommendations were implemented, performance tripled, scalability increased two orders of magnitude, and the application successfully went live to thousands of customers."
VP of Development for Charles Schwab’s Margin and Risk Group
Carl Wescott
Sales Implementation Specialist
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International Sales Thought Leader, Consultant, Trainer, Coach, Speaker and Author
Mike Griego
The role each of these Team Members fulfills is detailed in the K2 Velocity Program Overview.
There is a common thread to everything Keiretsu Squared does. Keiretsu Squared is a premier business accelerator that helps take business from high potential to rapid growth. Yet, unlike traditional “accelerators,” our team of specialists and executives work hands-on with entrepreneurs, actively participating in building companies. Unlike dealing with business “consultants,” participants benefit from an interdisciplinary, team approach to evaluating, transforming and building companies faster, smarter, and more profitably. Keiretsu Squared is a personalized accelerator that adapts its Programs to each Participant. And, the Team Members for all of its Programs do not just support companies … they participate actively in taking companies from wherever they are to greatness.
Then, we bring-forth the power of the Keiretsu Forum’s global network of highly accomplished members and investors to open doors, complete the deals and transactions that help companies grow, and provide other resources that go far beyond just capital
The Keiretsu Forum Due Diligence Process Handbook
Keiretsu Forum members use The Keiretsu Forum Due Diligence Process Handbook to guide in the process of making investment decisions. At the very core of the process, investors are assessing what has already been done successfully to minimize the risk of failure and what is currently underway (and ready to be implemented quickly) to minimize the extent of future dilution. Our team knows the specifics of what will be asked and assessed during this specific process. Everything the Keiretsu Squared team does is designed to proactively address these issues.
You can download the Handbook here.
Tell Investors and Entrepreneurs About The Handbook.