M&A • RETAIL EXPANSION • CONSUMER DEVICES
Transforming single-channel hardware manufacturers into high-margin, omnichannel ecosystems. We engineer recurring software monetization, Tier-1 retail distribution, and institutional exit readiness.
Engineered for Founders, CEOs, and Growth Equity Sponsors scaling hardware and connected device brands past $10M–$50M ARR.
+15%
Gross Margin Expansion3.4x
SaaS & Companion App Lift10x
Amazon Revenues$250M+
Omnichannel Revenue ScaledThe Hardware Margin Trap
For consumer electronics and connected hardware brands, scaling beyond the initial early-adopter phase presents structural P&L challenges. Companies reach $10M ARR with a loyal customer base, but find themselves trapped in a cycle of squeezed hardware margins (<45%), stagnant product roadmaps, working capital inventory constraints, and a complete reliance on one-time transactions.
Without recurring revenue—including companion software, consumable replenishment lines, defensible AI infrastructure, and structured mass retail placement—enterprise value plateaus, leaving founders vulnerable to commodity price competition and lower acquisition multiples.
Core Advisory Practices
Six specialized practice areas designed to eliminate hardware margin compression and unlock institutional liquidity.
SCALE
DTC, Amazon & Global Digital Expansion
Scaling Amazon 1P/3P channels to dominant category share, optimizing multi-country international distribution, and lowering blended DTC customer acquisition costs through high-converting funnel architectures.
PRODUCT & TECH
Companion Apps, Edge AI & Recurring SaaS
Transforming single-sale devices into high-margin subscription ecosystems. Deploying native AI features, companion software applications, and enterprise B2B licensing models that convert hardware buyers into recurring revenue accounts.
DISTRIBUTION
Big-Box Wholesale & Trade-Spend Architecture
Strategic retail placement across Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Costco, and specialty retail. Designing packaging, margin schedules, EDI compliance, and retail geo-targeted promotional media to accelerate velocity off the shelf.
FINANCING
Growth Equity, Inventory Debt & Series A/B Rounds
Structuring capital strategy to fund production runs without equity dilution. Preparing executive financial models, investor data rooms, and strategic positioning to attract Tier-1 venture capital and private equity growth partners.
LIQUIDITY
Buy-Side Sourcing & Sell-Side Multiple Maximization
Navigating corporate transactions from both sides of the table: identifying accretive add-on acquisitions to expand product portfolios, or architecting pre-sale operational cleanup to position the company for an 8-figure strategic or PE exit.
ECOSYSTEM EXPANSION
Formulations, Replenishment & High-Margin Attachments
Transforming one-off hardware sales into recurring cash flow by architecting proprietary consumable product lines—such as tailored nutritional supplements for health devices, clinical skincare for LED/beauty technology, or recurring replacement accessories yielding 75%+ gross margins.
The Companies We Partner With
01 / Connected Hardware & Devices
02 / Operational Scale
03 / Executive Leadership
Advisory Leadership • Comprehensive Expertise
The rare synthesis of Silicon Valley product and AI architecture combined with Wall Street and mass-retail commercial execution.
Managing Partner — Omnichannel Scale, Retail & P&L Operations
The Wharton School (Finance) • The Ohio State University (Marketing)
JB is a seasoned growth operator with over 15 years of scale-up P&L leadership across consumer goods, medical devices, consumer electronics, and omnichannel brands. As VP of Operations at Wow Skin Science, he managed an 8-figure multi-channel P&L across 5,300+ retail stores and global e-commerce, professionalizing operations to support a valuation expansion from ~$150M to ~$280M and securing a $48M investment from GIC. As Head of Global Sales & Business Development for HairMax—a pioneering medical device brand—he scaled Amazon revenues 10x, expanded international distribution into 170+ countries, and restructured European distribution. As COO at Moose Brands, he grew EBITDA 70% YoY by scaling its portfolio of consumer electronic brands. He has led the go-to-market strategy and launch of over 2,000 SKUs and negotiated distribution agreements with Walmart, Costco, Target, Nordstrom, Macy's, Best Buy, Kroger, and Whole Foods.
Core Capabilities Brought to Your Brand
Partner — Consumer Devices, AI & SaaS
MIT Sloan School of Management (MS) • UC Irvine (BS) • FINRA Series 7 & 66 • Patented Tech Inventor
Varag operates at the cutting edge of consumer devices, artificial intelligence, and strategic technology transactions. At Google, he works on strategic product partnerships across Platforms & Devices, a $40B+ organization, helping shape next-generation AI hardware platforms, product strategy, and commercial partnerships with leading technology companies. At Qualcomm, he helped shape the AI roadmap for Snapdragon Spaces XR and led the commercial integration of Clay AIR's AI assets into next-generation Lenovo products following its acquisition. As Founding Partner of Actuate, he has advised technology companies on growth strategy, strategic partnerships, commercialization, and M&A, including $800M in spatial computing revenue opportunities, $60M in GenAI operational implementation opportunities, and venture fundraising contributing to over $500M in valuation increases. Varag holds a master's degree in Engineering and Management from MIT and a B.S. in Structural Engineering from the University of California, Irvine.
Core Capabilities Brought to Your Brand
The Engagement Framework
Weeks 1–4
Diagnostic analysis of unit economics, bill of materials (BOM), companion software monetization, retail readiness, and marketing attribution leakage.
Months 2–3
Structuring the recurring subscription model, designing retail margin schedules, engineering the AI feature roadmap, and building the institutional data room.
Months 4+
Hands-on partnership leading negotiations with Tier-1 retail buyers, directing agency spend, integrating edge AI, and leading capital raising or M&A exit processes.
Clarity Before Commitment
Confidential Discovery
Schedule a 30-Minute Discovery Call with Our Partners
A confidential 30-minute introductory conversation with Managing Partner Jorge Benitez and Partner Varag Gharibjanian to learn more about your brand, understand your commercial goals, and explore whether our advisory model is the right strategic fit.
Book Discovery CallStrict NDA & Non-Disclosure Bound • Managing Partner Direct Response