At some point in your journey, growth ambitions outpace available resources. You'll need to think carefully about your next phase of development while keeping your business operational. We can help build a robust growth strategy and act as long-term strategic advisors.
You probably started your business using personal savings and maybe some early-stage support from friends and family. But this level of resource only gets you so far.
At some point, to continue growing, you need to think strategically about your next stage of development. There are many paths available, from bank facilities to commercial partnerships and beyond.
While some of these options make sense, you need guidance to ensure you’re selecting the right approach without compromising your long-term vision or control.
There are many ways to support business growth, but which path you choose? Often it can feel like you’re navigating a maze without a map.
Our process starts with a deep dive into your business, its current structure, and the strategic options you’ve previously explored. After building up this picture, we can suggest several growth pathways to ensure you can accelerate sustainably.
We’ll work with you to develop the best approach to your next stage of growth and be there to advise throughout. After you’ve achieved your goals, we’ll continue to support you as strategic advisors.
AAudacious Growth Partners was founded by AJ Saunders and Ryan Thorne. Both have vast experience across every aspect of starting, growing, and exiting businesses.
AJ is a serial founder turned adviser who has worked with clients all over the world to enable them to grow. Ryan has a background in M&A, turnarounds, fundraising and restructuring and has a global client list.
We both know how tough it can be to scale a business and have seen many businesses stall due to poor operational planning and resource management.
AJ Saunders is a co-founder of Audacious Growth Partners and has been founding and scaling businesses for nearly 20 years. From selling entertainment to national restaurant chains and 5-star hotels to running an online jewellery store with customers in 12 countries, he now provides strategic growth consultancy to a discerning global client base.
He has advised companies ranging in size from pre-revenue startups to billion-dollar brands on such topics as using cutting-edge technology to grow sales, how to enter new markets, and building structure into businesses that drive efficiency. AJ draws on his years building businesses and the many scars that come from practical on-the-ground work.
AJ has deep experience in consumer goods and lifestyle brands, having consulted with companies that sell a range of products, including smart home devices, jewellery, homeware, food, and clothing.
Outside work, AJ is a tennis enthusiast, a guitarist, and an admirer of classic country house architecture.
Ryan Thorne is a co-founder of Audacious Growth Partners and an experienced strategic advisor who works with founders, investors and leadership teams navigating growth, investment and complex transactions. Ryan brings extensive experience advising private investment groups and growth businesses across a range of sectors, from early-stage ventures through to established companies.
His experience has included leading legal workstreams on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and corporate advisory matters, as well as advising on corporate governance, investment structuring, fund and corporate formation, and a broad range of commercial and contractual issues.
He has supported numerous investment transactions and strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, platform formations and portfolio investments across consumer, health, retail and technology businesses.
Ryan has played a key role in negotiating and managing transaction documentation, including investment and shareholder agreements, constitutional documentation, and also overseeing day-to-day commercial agreements for growing businesses.
