Grant funding for established Engine Management Systems company

A successful NZ company developing and exporting sophisticated automotive and racing engine management systems investigated obtaining (Callaghan Innovation) R & D funding. For the company the process, proved protracted, over 6-7 months, time consuming and often ambiguous and unclear.” 

Said CEO Andy….” with limited time and much ambiguity, we could not dedicate the time and effort necessary to complete the application without seriously impacting our day to day business”

First Five’s expertise was able to get the company across the line in a little over 6 weeks, fast for a project of this size, and an increase in grant funding of more than 25% of what was originally expected. 

Telemetry and Metering Business - Review, transition and sale

The death of her partner, business founder and original driving force of Abbey Systems, an established and successful  33 year old private company in the national and international telemetry and metering systems business thrust Liz Abbey suddenly and deeper into the business - a challenge and opportunity Liz wished to appraise.

Liz engaged First Five managing partner Ross Baker to review current operations,  options for the business going forward, and to work with the remaining shareholders.

Drawing on his extensive business experience, contacts, strategic expertise and operational knowledge, Ross managed   administrative engagements and meetings with shareholders and assisted in determining forward options and direction for the company, which was to sell.

As Liz Abbey says…” Ross saved my bacon. I would have been lost without his assistance.”

Ross negotiated the legal and sale requirements, ongoing earn out and transition arrangements and secured  a preliminary agreement in  3 months, signed off in 6.

Governance and Management - Link Solutions takes Virtual CEO Service and reaps  rewards  

When the working owner/founders of Link Solutions, a six year old, established, and rapidly growing NZ company looked at  the next shift in the company’s journey they turned to First Five and more specifically the company’s Virtual CEO Service. 

Link Solutions had developed specific and unparalleled expertise in integrating financial application systems with Xero. They realised that they needed to refocus their resources to enable their growth and funding ambitions.  

Will McTavish CEO and founder -” it effectively gives us an independent set of very experienced eyes and ears whilst still leaving us free to control and drive the business.  Having the governance and operational guidance has taught me a new set of skills and allowed me to appoint a much needed advisory board . The First Five service is flexible and provides me the support that I need. We highly recommend First Five’s virtual CEO service to companies that need to take the next growth steps”

Will McTavish - Pictured below.