Explore our case studies below
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FAI Farms: Hatching a Winning Plan with BirdBox
FAI Farms, a team of farmers, scientists, and consultants creates things to solve sustainable agriculture and animal welfare problems. One of FAI Farms’ creations is BirdBox, a sensor-based system designed to improve animal welfare and provide a management tool for free-range egg-producers to take eggs from, well, bird to box. Over a 10-year period, FAI Farms had trialed BirdBox with the UK’s leading free-range egg producer. The results were phenomenal. FAI Farms, however, was having trouble figuring out what’s next? Over a 12-week collaboration, using WhiteLabel’s growth diagnostic framework, we were able to rapidly assess, and align on, BirdBox’s commercial opportunities and path to market. Transitioning to implementation, WhiteLabel led a market sounding exercise to find potential partners and investors. Additionally, WhiteLabel brought in a co-conspirator to redesign the sensor technology. Since our collaboration, BirdBox has increased client trials exponentially. “The WhiteLabel teams’ breadth and depth of knowledge makes them a go-to partner for us,” said CEO Oisten Thorsen. “They often joke that they are our Special Projects Office, but the title fits well.”
Seed to Shelf: Building a Regenerative Food Brand
Yaupon Wellness Company, a social enterprise offering edible and personal care products derived from the Yaupon plant, had a well-established regional brand and was receiving great responses on several products. Yaupon, however, needed guidance on going nationwide. It turned to WhiteLabel. Over a year-long collaboration, WhiteLabel served as a comprehensive growth engine for Yaupon. Our work commenced with a thorough brand assessment, leading to a strategic refresh, solidifying Yaupon's identity in the wellness space. We investigated key products, distribution channel, and funding strategies, helping define Yaupon's target market, identifying the persona of its ideal customer, crafting a compelling value proposition, and a pricing and channel strategy. Yaupon is now growing from a local provider, into a firm with a regional presence, and the basis for a national brand. “WhiteLabel has been instrumental in defining our business strategy,” said CEO Lou Thomann. “The team has a unique ability to see the practical next steps to achieve growth, execute the plan, and solve the finance dilemma,”
Giving a Voice to Gen Z: Building the Next Generation of Mental Health Support
Gen Z struggles with finding meaningful connections and comprehensive mental health support. Promly, a social enterprise, envisioned a world where young people have access to holistic support and resources. To achieve this, a WhiteLabel partner, first as a consultant, then as a fractional COO, embedded in Promly. As a hybrid organization, with both a non-profit (501(c)3) and Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), it can fundraise across the spectrum of capital, blending traditional grants with commercial investment matching its for-profit and non-profit work. WhiteLabel worked on finding the right fit for funding, creating compelling narratives tailored to a wide variety of investors and donors, often the same people. Understanding that lasting change requires systematic support, using their depth of experience in advocacy, WhiteLabel got Promly in front of advocacy and public affairs opportunities. WhiteLabel continues to partner with Promly. “They got our value proposition and helped us raise our brand awareness through a differentiated path — advocacy and public affairs. Operationally, they were able to upscale Promly’s business and organizational models, positioning us for sustainable, efficient growth. I could not recommend them higher,” said CEO Jen Libby.
Scaling-up for Impact: Building Operational Strength in a Mission-Driven Enterprise
The Center for Rural Innovation was growing rapidly. Within four years, its leadership had taken the firm from an idea to a multi-million-dollar enterprise with a non-profit, for-profit, and seed fund, all aimed at advancing economic prosperity in rural America. The firm’s growth was exceptional, but operations had not kept pace. After a Director of Finance resigned, WhiteLabel was brought in to diagnose issues and implement remediations. Initially, WhiteLabel helped stabilize the finance department, operating as interim CFO and controller. The initial tasks: harmonizing revenue lines, legal structure and guiding the company through its first audit. WhiteLabel also successfully led the recruitment of a new Director of Finance. WhiteLabel continued to support CORI through its transition, including leading the selection and implementation of enterprise-wide systems. “Being able to harness WhiteLabel's insight and experience has proven invaluable to me,” said Robin Kilfeather-Mackey, CORI’s Director of Finance and Operations. “The WhiteLabel diagnostic report I was handed upon my arrival allowed me to immediately zero in on the organization's pain points and direct my attention squarely where it was needed most in those early days.”
ESG Finance Takes Root: Founding COO Drives 8x Growth for UN-backed Initiative
The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) was just finding its feet. The nascent initiative lacked an operational foundation, a sustainable business model and a team to carry out its vital mission. A WhiteLabel partner was brought in as COO. Developing a scalable operational framework, a long-term strategic roadmap and a compelling go-to-market and global outreach campaign, which defined the value proposition around ESG and how the initiative was well-positioned to promote it, they were able to attract and engage potential members. The partner also identified and executed a transition to the initiative’s business model: moving it from voluntary donations to membership fees. Under his leadership, the firm tripled its membership, increased its revenues sevenfold and expanded staff by 12-fold. The UN PRI is one of the most powerful forces promoting responsible finance and ESG.
Grant Winners become Growth Engines: Helping Nonprofits Manage a New Paradigm
Three non-profit organizations faced a sudden influx of over $60 million in federal grants. While this is the kind of high-quality problem most organizations dream of having, it was anticipated that there might be operational challenges in managing these grants. The organizations turned to WhiteLabel to run an Operational Diagnostic. Over a three-month period, WhiteLabel investigated the firms to find strength and weaknesses in human capital, processes, and systems, interviewing stakeholders, combing through financial documents, and benchmarking the firms against best practices. Presented to the executive directors and boards, the diagnostics highlighted issues, and detailed remediations, necessary to effectively manage growth and the grants. For the largest grant winner, WhiteLabel stayed on to help the firm implement outlined recommendations, coach senior executives, and help redesign the finance department, which was already struggling trying to manage an organization that had more than a half-dozen non-profit and for-profit entities, and help and select an enterprise-wide risk management system. An added bonus: WhiteLabel was able to pay for itself by negotiating highly favorable terms on the ERP system.
From NASA to the Market: Technology Transfer for Social Impact
BNNT, an advanced materials company with revolutionary potential, was struggling with the question of how do you raise capital for a company that has a world-changing product, tremendous promise, great research, and development partnerships, but was still in the product testing phase, and required much more patient capital than a traditional VC provides? Over two years, a WhiteLabel partner worked closely with BNNT's CEO on refining BNNT’s commercialization strategy and creating a disciplined fundraising plan. We started by defining our initial list of targets, focusing on firms and investors that would understand the sector, the company’s potential, and the time it needed to succeed. WhiteLabel and BNNT refined the story, building marketing materials and financial models, which also served a control function for the firm, beyond the capital raise. We tested assumptions through practice pitches with friendlies WhiteLabel brought in from our network. We launched a systematic outreach campaign. We worked on setting terms for firms that expressed an early interest. BNNT emerged with a clearer corporate strategy, a well-defined capital raising plan, and a more confident CEO.
Primer to Practice: Empowering Jordan’s Start-up Ecosystem
Like a lot of countries around the world, Jordan had caught the start-up bug. And, why not? It seems a powerful way to empower entrepreneurship and grow the economy. Jordan also wanted to attract investment. Looking to learn more about impact investment and private equity, the government turned to Expectation State, a development consulting firm, which turned to WhiteLabel. WhiteLabel launched a study, focusing on the intersection of private capital, impact investment and where investor wants might meet Jordan’s needs. WhiteLabel presented the findings to Jordan’s Ministry of Finance. As a follow-on activity, WhiteLabel was asked to lead an innovation sprint, working with first-time fund managers on developing investment theses and the operational skills needed to successfully raise capital and manage a fund. “WhiteLabel blends rich experience with an ability to deliver pragmatically in a consultancy setting, for a range of host government and international donor clients,” said Expectation State’s CEO Raymond Asfour. “And, they are a lot of fun to work with.”
Finding the Signal in the Noise: Elevating UNEP-FI's Impact
Leadership at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative's Positive Impact Initiative proposed a pioneering and holistic vision for impact finance, solving some of the field’s more complex issues for commercial actors. But it needed to gain traction in a crowded space of international organizations, financial institutions, and standard setters. Its message needed to break through the noise. A WhiteLabel partner developed and implemented a new communications strategy that shifted the focus away from the initiative itself and onto its unique value proposition. This content-driven approach emphasized the insights and tools offered by the Positive Impact Initiative. The partner also facilitated key partnerships, strategically positioning Positive Impact alongside international organizations and standard setters. This strategic pivot resonated strongly. UNEP FI's Positive Impact initiative gained visibility and solidified its positioning as a crucial and unique resource among the international impact investing standard-setter community.
From Standards to Success: Driving Program Growth for Impact Network
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the convening body for impact investing, was growing quickly. It needed to expand its membership base and fortify its operational capacity. Additionally, it aimed to become less reliant on grants by diversifying its funding model. A WhiteLabel partner stepped in to take charge of GIIN's membership programs. They supported staff in expanding programming and driving global membership growth. Further, the partner played a pivotal role in organizing GIIN's first global conference for impact investors. They also spearheaded a biannual update of the IRIS impact measurement standards. These efforts bolstered the GIIN's position, expanding its membership base and programs, thus diversifying its revenue streams, with non-grant resources delivering a third of the annual organizational budget.
Game Changer: Transformation, Growth, and Capital Raising for Social Purpose
One Earth Rising wants to change the way gaming works: It wants to turn the Metaverse into the Purposeverse. Given that gaming is the most popular activity on the planet, gaming and gamers should have a greater vision of how gaming engages with the planet. Looking to achieve that greater vision, One Earth Rising turned to WhiteLabel. Recognizing the potential, WhiteLabel proposed a pivot from developing games to becoming a platform for socially conscious game developers. Working with One Earth Rising, WhiteLabel helped the firm sharpen its long-term strategy, develop a streamlined operational structure, and create, and lead, a fundraising campaign, targeting socially responsible investors. To facilitate the structural changes, a WhiteLabel founding partner embedded in One Earth Rising, as COO. He liked the gig so much, he stayed.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: M&A in Sustainable Finance
A leader in financial data caught the sustainability bug. Figuring it was a powerful market, from a financial and social perspective, it wanted to create a division focused on sustainable finance data. Problem was, it did not really understand the sustainability market, the regulatory landscape, and it almost completely lacked a framework or bedrock of knowledge to judge the risks and rewards. It reached out to a WhiteLabel partner, who was a pioneer in the space. After an initial assessment of the company, they suggested that instead of building a new division, the data provider buy an existing company—it would be cheaper. The partner was hired to lead the M&A assignment, developing the strategy, identifying, and screening, potential targets, leading the outreach campaign and initial meetings, helping perform due diligence and was part of the deal team that successfully negotiated and closed the transaction.
Pivot to success: A Business and Product Strategy for a Digital Media Company
ImpactAlpha's commitment to covering the world of impact investing wasn't matched by a sustainable business model. It faced the challenge of achieving financial stability while staying true to its mission. A WhiteLabel partner joined forces with the ImpactAlpha team to spearhead a strategic pivot. This involved deep collaboration to clarify the company's vision and ensure all stakeholders shared a common purpose. Together, they developed a revised business model and product strategy designed to attract a paying audience. Additionally, the WhiteLabel partner played a key role in securing philanthropic seed funding, providing much-needed support during this transition period. This strategic shift, combined with the crucial funding, proved transformative for ImpactAlpha. They successfully became a commercially viable platform, securing its first revenue streams. ImpactAlpha recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and is the “platform of record,” a source for news, educational materials, convenings, and data essential for the impact economy.
Unlocking Growth: How Innovative Finance Can Fuel Ukraine's Small Farms
Smallholder farmers in Ukraine held massive potential, but their growth was stifled by limited access to innovative financing. To address this, Chemonics Ukraine sought WhiteLabel's expertise. We delved into global best practices in Innovative Agriculture Financing, conducting extensive research, interviews, and case study analysis. Our findings were distilled into a comprehensive primer, providing critical insights for tailored funding strategies designed specifically for lesser developed economies, equipping Chemonics with a strategic resource to identify and implement practical funding solutions. The impact: A USAID Head of Economic Growth, with over two decades of experience, lauded the primer as one of the best they'd encountered and how “strategic research and knowledge sharing can unlock growth and transformation for communities in need.”
From Family Offices to Subscription Models: Launching, Commercializing and Managing Venture Investment Funds
Over our 30-years in the financial markets, WhiteLabel has had the opportunity to launch, transform, manage, and commercialize venture capital operations at about a dozen family offices, hedge funds and corporations. Indeed, WhiteLabel’s initial co-founders met while running investment operations for RoseTech Ventures during the halcyon days of “Silicon Alley.” Over five years, they evaluated thousands of investment opportunities, made 15 investments, sat on the Boards of more than a dozen companies, and helped portfolio companies raise more than $50 million in follow-on investment. The portfolio had multiple successful exits including one 30X return. A WhiteLabel partner was also part of the successful launch of Alumni Ventures Group’s Columbia-focused fund, developing the investment strategy, raising capital, vetting hundreds of investments, and, investing in, to date, two unicorns. Other clients have included setting up venture arms for a MedTech firm, and an extremely large hedge fund focused on global investments.
Innovating Around Finance: Propelling Entrepreneurship in the Eastern Caribbean
After decades of economic underperformance and high unemployment, the World Bank wanted to launch a program aimed at improving access to finance for women and youth entrepreneurs in the Eastern Caribbean. Looking to understand the nexus between the area’s entrepreneurs, what was regulatorily possible, the amount of capital this small market could absorb, and what would engage, and excite potential partners in the initiative, it turned to a WhiteLabel partner. On the ground, WhiteLabel met with women and youth entrepreneurs, executives from banks, Central Bank governors and finance ministers, and a cadre of foundations and impact investors coming up with a list of pain points, which informed the structuring of an initiative to address, and alleviate, the issues. They then worked with the Bank on implementation: structuring the initiative, including a financial facility and educational program aimed at informing, and elevating the entrepreneurs; developing a primer on best practices related to the chosen financial structure; creating materials for outreach, and leading a roadshow around the project. The result: an initiative launched with participation from several leading foundations, including a $50 million financial facility and an operational support program for entrepreneurs.