Village Capital Case Study

Commercializing accelerator and investment readiness programs for small and growing businesses

Snapshot

Together with Village Capital (and Argidius), Goldstone Consulting worked on commercializing accelerator and investment readiness programs for small and growing businesses.

The Goldstone Investment Readiness Program is an annual event that we have been organizing since 2021. the program aims to strengthen the foundational systems of Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs), expose them to best practices for improving strategy and operations, align them with the post-COVID-19 economy, and build a pipeline of investable businesses.

Challenges

Limited Access to Finance: Many Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) face challenges in accessing financing due to their perceived riskiness by mainstream financiers. This hinders their ability to grow and expand their operations.
Lack of Business Development Skills: SGBs often lack the necessary business development skills needed to attract investment and scale their businesses effectively. This includes areas such as financial management, strategic planning, and market positioning.
Post-COVID-19 Economic Realities: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted businesses across various sectors, requiring them to adapt to new economic realities. SGBs need support in aligning their strategies and operations with the post-pandemic economy to remain competitive and resilient.
Limited Pipeline of Investable Businesses: There is a shortage of investable businesses in sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, and education. Many potential investees lack the readiness and capabilities to attract investment, creating a gap in the market.
Geographic Disparities: Businesses located in rural or underserved areas often face additional challenges in accessing investment opportunities and business support services compared to those in urban centers. This geographic disparity needs to be addressed to ensure inclusive economic development.

Our Approach

We delivered the program using a hybrid methodology of both physical and virtual sessions, anchored to our bespoke investment readiness curriculum. Throughout the program, experienced business experts, coaches, and mentors facilitate training and coaching sessions, with a focus on achieving tangible outcomes and outputs. The participating businesses are selected through a competitive process based on criteria such as vintage, investment need, sector, and location, represent a diverse cohort from various sectors including agribusiness, renewable energy, and education.

Innovation & Results

Goldstone introduced a bespoke Investment Readiness curriculum tailored to the unique needs of SGBs. This curriculum emphasized key elements such as financial management, market positioning, and investor engagement, providing participants with practical tools and strategies to enhance their readiness for investment. Through interactive workshops, mentoring sessions, and peer learning opportunities, participants were able to apply these insights directly to their businesses, driving tangible improvements in their operations and growth prospects.

Quantitative Achievements

Through all the investment readiness programs since 2021, Goldstone has trained a total of 117 companies. This quantitative impact reflects the significant reach and influence of the program in supporting Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) across various sectors. By equipping these companies with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to enhance their readiness for investment, Goldstone has contributed to fostering a more vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. The participation of these 117 companies in the program signifies a tangible commitment to growth and development, highlighting the effectiveness and value of Goldstone’s investment readiness curriculum.