Designing Models for Systems Change
The world’s most critical challenges—from climate change to public health—cannot be solved by markets or grants alone. They require new configurations that can coordinate action and create value across public, private, and civic sectors.
We design those models.
Leveraging our experience in architecting over 250 advanced business models, we build the viable, fundable, and sustainable structures that power system-changing ventures. We translate visionary goals into operational reality, designing the underlying model for how value is created, measured, and exchanged.
Whether your solution requires a sophisticated Hardware-as-a-Service platform, a multi-sided data marketplace, or a novel public-private Contribution Model, we provide the blueprint for lasting impact and financial sustainability.
For Systems Entrepreneurs
From a Powerful Idea to a Fundable, System-Changing Venture.
You are building something that matters, something that doesn’t fit the standard startup mold. Your solution may involve hardware, data, community action, and policy change all at once. You know it will work, but you struggle to articulate a financial model that is as innovative as your vision. You need a blueprint that proves your venture is not only impactful, but viable and sustainable.
How We Help You Build a Viable Model:
Design Your Core Model
Your business model sets the stage for everything. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or rethinking your approach, we help you design a model that works in the real world. Control your narrative, so that you set the stage for how you are valued. Own and operate your own model.
-Business model options
-Ecosystem mapping
-Financial modeling for sustainability
Define and Price Your Value
The strongest lever you have once you choose your business model: pricing. Our method is equal parts qualitative and quantitative, engaging with customers to derive your value.
-Value proposition design
-Data value definition
-Service and offer validation
-Unit economics price testing
-Community-engaged value design
Align with the Right Capital
Forecasting and scenario modeling to explore finance options and determine capital needs. Discover the differences between seed, VC, corporate, venture debt, revenue finance, grants, or other alt capital.
-Alternative capital exploration
-Scenario planning
-Sensitivity analysis
-Funding and capitalization plan
We've Designed over 250 Business Models and Counting
We’ve been at the forefront of business model innovation since the concept first emerged, becoming experts in complex adaptive system business models. Our expertise helps you design, own, and operate a business model system that is resilient, adaptive, and built for long-term success.
Whether your solution looks like…
• An Outcomes-as-a-Service model for climate adaptation.
• A Data-as-a-Service platform for social determinants of health.
• A Hardware-as-a-Service system for industrial circularity.
• A Marketplace for a local food ecosystem.
…we have the deep, practical experience to design the specific structure you need to succeed.
Hardware-as-a-Service
Recent HaaS models developed for clients:
-Industrial IoT ecosystem for prediction and monitoring
-Ag tech, food systems measurement
-Handheld clinical monitor for hospital use
-Air purification system with data analytics
Data-as-a-Service
Recent DaaS models developed for clients:
-Urban planning data analytics
-Renewable energy data services
-Analytics for social determinants of health, social prescribing
-Pay-per-use medical imaging
-Supply chain data analytics
-Care management data provider
Marketplaces
Recent Marketplace models developed for clients:
-Circular economy food waste
-Last-mile food delivery
-Open data cooperative
-Health data exchange
-App store for industrial machines
-Circular clothing exchange
-Professional services finder
Outcomes-as-a-Service
Recent OaaS models developed for clients:
-Energy utility grid resell market
-Cardiology monitoring device delivering health outcomes
-Data-enabled service for machine recovery and takeback
-Multivariate outcomes for hospital system contributions
-Regenerative agriculture offering
For Systems Funders & Catalytic Capital
Building a Portfolio of Viable, High-Impact, and Scalable Initiatives.
You are tasked with deploying capital to solve complex, systemic problems. You see countless promising ideas, but your challenge is identifying and supporting the initiatives with a credible plan for sustainability and the appropriate scale. How do you de-risk your investments and ensure your grants are building lasting capacity, not indefinite dependency?
How We Strengthen Your Pipeline and Portfolio:
Strategic Due Diligence & Model Vetting: Before you commit significant capital, we provide analysis of the underlying economic model. We pressure-test assumptions and assess plans for long-term viability, providing you with a clear-eyed “Investment Readiness” scorecard so you can make more confident funding decisions.
Grantee Support & Sustainability Design: For your existing portfolio, we act as a specialized technical assistance partner. We work directly with your grantees to strengthen their business models, diversify their revenue streams, and build the financial resilience they need to thrive after your grant term ends, maximizing the long-term ROI of your support.
Capital Strategy & Field Building: We help you design more effective funding strategies. By analyzing patterns across your portfolio, we can help you identify opportunities to use your catalytic capital to unlock larger pools of private and public investment, designing blended finance structures and field-building initiatives that move the entire sector forward.
Our Differentiator: We Bridge Commercial Rigor and Co-Create for Systems Change
Traditional business models are built for markets. While powerful within their realm, markets alone do not have the capacity to solve all societal and systemic challenges. Their structures often fall short when addressing complex issues that require cooperation across public, private, and civic sectors. This is where most organizations struggle: How do you create value when markets alone aren’t the answer?
We developed Contribution Models, designed specifically for organizations that operate at the intersections of markets, government, nonprofits, and civic society. These models focus on more than just capturing value, they emphasize generating and sharing value that contributes to ecosystemic health.