Business Advisory Services

Feasibility Assessments

Is your project attractive from a market, technical, risk, and financial standpoint? Our team provides objective answers so you can make well-informed and data-driven decisions.

Our work in action

The steering committee of two agribusiness companies needed to determine the attractiveness of establishing an industrial hemp processing facility. Christianson conducted the market assessment, regulatory/policy analysis, the technical assessment, and the financial forecasting for the proposed project.
An entrepreneur wanted to know understand feasibility for an indoor commercial saltwater shrimp farming operation in the Midwest. Christianson conducted the determined the proposed venture would be attractive and identified significant risks that would need to be resolved before go-to-market.
An investor group wanted an objective third-party opinion about entering the biodiesel industry by completion of an abandoned biodiesel facility. Our feasibility assessment found the proposed venture faced too many significant risks and the client was protected from an overly risky investment.

Market Research

Off-the-shelf market research studies provide large generic data-sets, falling short of providing tailored analysis around the trends, drivers, and nuances. We give you specific insights of the market you’re targeting.

Our work in action

Leading animal feed and nutrition company discovered its flagship feed ingredient had natural anti-fungal properties and wanted to know if there was a marketing opportunity for the product. Our market research study found an attractive opportunity existed for the product as a natural preservative for cosmetics, soaps, and packaged food markets. We segmented the market and developed their strategic sales and marketing plan.
An advanced bioenergy technology developer discovered two interchangeable ingredients for their product and needed Christianson to help them determine which was best from a price/cost and economic standpoint. National pricing/cost data for both ingredients were readily available, but did not reflect the actual prices/costs the client would incur. After extensive research and analysis, we were able to provide the client, not only with a realistic price they would likely pay, but also a detailed historical price/cost analysis comparing both ingredients and a pricing forecast.
A newly proposed soybean crush plant needed to know if there were enough crops in the area to support a profitable facility. They also wanted to better understand the size and growth potential of the local and regional livestock market for soybean meal. Christianson conducted a net feedstock availability analysis to determine an adequate supply of reasonably priced soybeans existed in the area to support the plant. Our livestock assessment determined an adequate animal feed market for the soybean meal.

Business and Marketing Plans

All businesses need a business and marketing plan to get money – a plan that lenders and investors can trust. We’ve written numerous “bankable” business and marketing plans for clients accepted by banks and project investors alike.

Our business and marketing plan clients include

An inland aquaculture business
An industrial hemp processing business
An oilseed crushing operation
Multiple biofuel manufacturers
A waste-to-energy business
An anaerobic digestion and renewable natural gas business
A food ingredient business
A specialty crop processing business

Grant Writing

Our services range from all-inclusive applications to specific assistance within a program. We develop a partnership with you and rely heavily on transparency in communication to write the most impactful application to improve the likelihood of receiving that funding. Final applications are always submitted in a timely manner with in-detail review by both clients and the firm before its submission.

Our work in action

Successfully applied for $5M Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grant on behalf of publicly traded convenience store chain. Grant allowed for the installation of 450 ethanol blend fuel dispensers at over 100 gas stations in five states.
Created and submitted a successful HBIIP Grant for a $20 billion dollar truck stop company. It allowed for the retrofitting of over 700 E15 dispensers at nearly 100 fueling stations across the country. We estimated it to increase ethanol use by 86 million gallons per year.

Buy-side M&A Due Diligence for Investors

We educate investors to make the right strategic and financial decisions about acquiring an asset.

Our work in action

We educated a private equity firm on the current and likely future of the farm equipment business and validated the domestic and international growth plans of a farm equipment manufacturer to help them buy the company for nearly $1 billion.
We helped a private equity firm acquire a leading food processing equipment manufacturer for nearly $800 million by validating the company’s current market position and market growth plan.
We conducted market and industry due diligence for a Japanese trading house considering a strategic investment in the U.S. ethanol industry by acquiring Midwestern ethanol manufacturer. We recommended against the investment, protecting the investor from an overly risky venture.

Financial Forecasting

We help clients understand how their business decisions could have an impact on the bottom-line, if moving forward with an investment is a sound idea, and help investors and lenders understand the financial attractiveness of a new business.

Our work in action

We provided a financial forecast an ethanol plant needed as part of the application to secure a loan guarantee for a new energy efficiency system.
We forecasted the financial performance of a new food production operation so project developers could apply for bank financing and attract investors.
We forecasted the financial attractiveness of building a new industrial hemp processing facility.

Business Development

Are you having a difficult time translating your concept into an effective business plan? Whether expanding a company or starting a new venture, our experienced staff can work with you to transform your ideas into reality.

Our services include

New Business Set-Up: Entity analysis and organizational consulting, strategic planning, entity governance planning, construction budget preparation, forecasted financial statements, analysis of alternatives, business plan preparation, grant applications
Business Operations: Financial forecast, financial analysis, grain dealer licenses, board of directors training
Turnaround Services: Financial forecast, bankruptcy analysis, cash flow analysis, restructure planning
Sales and Acquisitions: Financial forecasting, purchase price analysis, capital budgeting decisions, special purchase analysis