Corporate development
Corporate development and strategic initiatives
Big decisions deserve Big 4 thinking. We help growing businesses define where they’re going and build the road to get there.
Built for$1M–$40M companies
Projects$8,000–$25,000
Retainers$5,000–$15,000 / month
Reviewed by Calvin Wu, CPA (inactive) · Updated October 2026
In short
Growth through acquisitions, partnerships and capital raises, without hiring a full-time corporate development team.
ModulesSix, from strategy to capital raise
EngagementProject, retainer or 60–90 day accelerator
FeesFixed fee or retainer; success fees are not our primary model
Led byCalvin Wu, CPA (inactive)
Core services
Six service modules
Scope a single module or combine several under one retainer.
01
Strategic planning and business roadmap
A living plan that ties every major initiative to a financial outcome.
- 3-year roadmap with milestones
- Initiative prioritization
- Quarterly strategy review
02
Acquisition strategy and buy-side M&A
We build and run your acquisition function from thesis to close.
- Target universe and outreach
- Valuation and LOI support
- Buy-side QoE and diligence
03
Partnerships and joint ventures
Structure partnerships that are strategically and financially sound.
- Partner fit analysis
- Deal structure design
- Partnership economics model
04
New market entry and expansion
Rigorous analysis before you commit to a new geography, vertical or segment.
- TAM / SAM analysis
- Unit economics for the new market
- Go/no-go scenario framework
05
Business transformation
Fix structural inefficiencies that made sense at $3M but not at $10M.
- Business diagnostic
- Org design and cost structure
- Finance function transformation
06
Capital strategy and raise preparation
Enter any capital process with the credibility lenders and investors expect.
- Capital needs analysis
- 3-statement model build or audit
- Investor narrative and data room
How we engage
Three engagement structures
| Engagement | Best for | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Project-based | A defined deliverable: strategic plan, market entry analysis, acquisition screen | 4–12 weeks · fixed scope and fee |
| Monthly retainer | An ongoing strategic co-pilot or active deal pipeline | 3–12 months · 10–30 hours per month |
| Advisory accelerator | An imminent acquisition, capital raise or restructuring | 60–90 day intensive · daily availability |
Our process
From first conversation to execution
Free strategy session
30 minutes on the decision in front of you. No pitch, no pressure.
Diagnostic and scoping
A structured review of financials, strategy and market position.
Proposal and agreement
Scope, deliverables, timeline and investment, agreed before work starts.
Active engagement
Models, strategy sessions and deal processes, with direct access to Calvin.
Decision and execution
We stay engaged through the decision or transaction, not just the analysis.
Hand-off or continuation
Documentation and dashboards, or an ongoing fractional CFO relationship.
Who it’s for
Built for founders making consequential decisions
We work best with founders and CEOs who are serious about strategy and want decisions grounded in data.
- Founders and CEOs of $1M–$40M businesses facing an acquisition, new market, raise or pivot
- PE-backed companies executing buy-and-build without an internal corporate development team
- Founders approaching exit who want to build optionality and value first
- Leaders approached with an acquisition, partnership or investment offer
- Professional services, SaaS, e-commerce, B2B and real estate companies
FAQ
Corporate development questions
What is the difference between corporate development and strategic planning?
Strategic planning defines where the business is going and how it will get there. Corporate development is the external growth function (acquisitions, partnerships and capital events) used to execute that strategy. Our practice covers both.
How is this different from hiring a management consultant?
Traditional consulting frameworks were built for large enterprises. We combine financial depth (we model everything), methods built for owner-operated businesses, and hands-on execution through the decision.
Can you help with one specific decision?
Yes. Many engagements are scoped around a single decision, such as whether to enter a market, acquire a company or raise capital now, with a clear deliverable and timeline.
Do you work alongside our existing CFO or finance team?
Yes. We layer strategic initiative support on top of your existing finance function, adding M&A or modeling depth as a complement, not a replacement.
How much does corporate development advisory cost?
Project-based engagements typically run $8,000–$25,000 depending on scope. Monthly retainers for ongoing work run $5,000–$15,000. Advisory accelerator engagements are scoped individually. We do not charge success fees as our primary model.
Related services
Where this work often leads
Next step
The most expensive strategic mistakes are the ones made without the right analysis.
Book a free 30-minute strategy session. We’ll review the decision in front of you and whether we’re the right fit.
