Case Studies

A Midwest nonprofit that provided temporary housing and social services to women and children had more than doubled over the past 10 years to over 110 employees, resulting in increased employee turnover and declining program outcomes. The Executive Director and the Board agreed that it was time to revisit the organization’s structure. The central question we agreed to explore was, “How should the organizational structure be adjusted and realigned to best support program services, reduce turnover and drive improved outcomes?” In the course of the project we also agreed to review all major strategic areas of the organization — programming, funding/development, operations, information technology (IT), finance, marketing, human resources, the board of directors, management, paid staff and volunteers. Approach We  started with an assessment of

A Midwest real estate developer engaged Ground Floor Partners to conduct a highest and best use study for a 3.5 acre undeveloped parcel he had recently acquired. The lot was located across from a large hospital, just north of a senior living complex, and minutes away from a major highway. He had already done his own research and had narrowed his options down to two: a storage space facility versus a flex space business park. We were tasked with comparing and contrasting these two options to help him make an informed decision as to which one would be more profitable. Approach Our research included extensive research and analysis on demographics; local, regional and national market trends; potential business models; estimates of startup and ongoing costs;

Over the past 15 years an experienced construction contractor invented, developed and patented multiple devices for locating, repairing, restoring and leveling infrastructure including building foundations, pipelines and sidewalks. His unique inventions have the potential to help commercial and industrial businesses, homeowners, and municipalities around the world save enormous amounts of time, money and headaches each year. Despite a strong value proposition and a few project examples, the inventor received little interest from potential customers, and he was unable to pitch his inventions to industry giants. He decided he needed a better go-to-market strategy along with more compelling presentation and marketing materials to attract the attention of prospective CEOs. Solution Ground Floor Partners worked closely with the inventor and his team to review some 10 inventions.

An experienced small business owner contacted Ground Floor Partners about a promisinglicensing agreement he was considering. He had met an entrepreneur the year before who toldhim about an innovative software and projection system that facilitated virtual walkthroughs ofarchitectural designs for residential, commercial and industrial properties, to-scale. Theentrepreneur had prepared a licensing arrangement that showed — on paper at least — huge profitpotential. The proposed agreement suggested an initial investment of at least $500,000, plusrequired recurring royalty payments to the licensor equal to 7% of annual revenues. The ownerwas inclined to sign on the dotted line, but his wife had serious concerns about the whole deal. Solution/Results The couple hired us to perform due diligence on the entrepreneur, the market opportunity. andthe licensing agreement terms. We