Project Based Businesses

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by a searcher from Florida State University
in St. Petersburg, FL, USA

2mos ago

Project Based Businesses

While I understand recurring revenue models are highly attractive to all of us, at what point does a project based business become attractive to investors and SBA lenders? I am referring to glass fabrication/installation, custom cabinets, etc… I like these types of businesses personally, but I am curious on others thoughts and experience with raising capital for this type of business and the smaller buyer pool for potential exit in the future?

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reply by a professional-advisory 2mos ago
from Trinity College Connecticut in Scottsdale, AZ, USA

It's all about consistency and quality of revenue. The whole construction industry runs this way: every project is bid and managed individually. Does the business focus on B2C (lots of marketing expense) or B2B (repeat business from GCs or designers, as an example). These are the considerations in assessing whether a business is attractive.

reply by an intermediary 2mos ago
from The University of Chicago in Chicago, IL, USA

A different angle. The key is ... does demand for the product/service exist? For project-oriented businesses, if the project size is small relative to sales, it is a good business (ABC). In recurring revenue business, if the market is saturated (think of telephone), it is not necessarily a gold business (XYZ). ABC type businesses are easier to grow, more things can be done in operation, cost reduction, service enhancement, etc. XYZ businesses are difficult to grow. a loss of a customer is difficult to replace, technology risk is high, etc. Over 40 years, I have seen many ABC businesses skyrocket; have not seen a XYZ business do so.