About MeadeCo
MeadeCo assesses a company’s financeability and the options that may exist to meet its immediate capitalization needs. MeadeCo’s leaders have been involved with the procurement, transaction management and closing of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of financing across a broad array of companies, industries and stages of maturity. On the advisory front, MeadeCo offers services related to connectivity as well as company, lease and real estate restructuring.
We have a solid series of relationships among lenders eager to partner with borrowers on providing the financing for companies’ sustenance and growth. While clients from many industries seek out financing assistance, MeadeCo is particularly focused on several key industries based on long-standing relationships and successful financing transaction completions.
In addition to capitalization expertise, MeadeCo also offers extensive services relative to advisory and restructure matters. With expertise in asset disposition, restructuring across a range of companies, commercial leases and commercial real estate assets, MeadeCo can offer advice, guidance and capitalization alternatives to stabilize and enhance the value of assets under financial distress or duress. As a licensed business broker, MeadeCo can assist clients with the sale of small business in a variety of industries. Finally, MeadeCo’s extensive relationships with a variety of strategic partners and counter-parties allows clients to solve complex problems and easily access and benefit from a large pool of sophisticated professionals and capital sources.
MeadeCo’s hallmark is a commitment to creativity, integrity, resourcefulness, tenacity and transparency that serves our clients well. We’d be pleased to discuss your advisory, capitalization, connectivity and restructure challenges to determine if we can help you and your business achieve its near and long term objectives.
Speaking of connectivity, our newest subsidiary Meade Connect Direct (MCD) has commenced operations and will enable clients to extend their reach through our nationwide network of business development experts. Click here (or on Meade Connect Direct above) for more information.
Areas of Expertise Include:
- Debt Procurement
- Capitalization Advisory
- Business Brokerage
- Company Restructure
- Lease and Commercial Real Estate Asset Restructure
- Connectivity and Relationship Development, Including MCD
Debt Market Specializations:
- Venture Debt
- Bridge Debt
- Bitcoin/Crypto
- Cannabis, Liquor Debt
- Real Estate Debt
- ABL (asset based lending) Debt
- PO and Factoring Debt
- Equipment Financing
Industries of Focus:
- Healthy Food and Beverage
- Cannabis
- Bitcoin/Crypto
- Liquor
- Real Estate
- Technology
- Software/SaaS
- VC/PE Operating Businesses
- Distribution/Logistics
- Start-Up, Early Stage, and Maturing Companies
Our Team
Founder and Connector-in-Chief
David has had a successful career working for a number of entrepreneurial, fast growing and diverse businesses across law, real estate, venture capital, private equity, family offices and operating businesses in senior operations/leadership positions as well as business development and transaction management. Based on these experiences and the growth of a significant network of contacts, long term relationships and strategic partners, David decided to launch MeadeCo LLC in 2018.
David started his career as a transactional real estate attorney at what is now one of the largest law firms in the world. Following the completion of his MBA, David transitioned to leadership positions in finance, investment management, real estate development, real estate investment and asset management and private equity.
After the real estate meltdown of 2008, David moved into a position in real estate brokerage and business development/transaction management using his extensive knowledge of real estate law and operations as a key to successful client procurement and transaction management. In a brokerage capacity, David launched a successful international brokerage and advisory operation while executing on a range of difficult domestic PE and Corporate Real Estate Sales transactions.
With a strong desire to combine the skill sets that defined him in earlier stages of his career, David was named CEO of a venture capital start-up that was focused on selling products into the world of real estate. While a short-lived experience, David gained valuable insights into the challenges and economics of earlier stage companies in need of capital.
Following his CEO role, David acted as a special situations investment banker working with a variety of companies on matters ranging from restructuring to debt placement for “storied credits” and company sales. Employing entrepreneurial instincts and practical operational knowledge, David was able to complete a series of transactions to assist clients with a variety of needs.
While David was pursuing a successful career across a range of industries, he aggressively pursued investments across a broad spectrum of economic activity that broadened his knowledge base and allowed him to leverage hard fought lessons across three plus decades of entrepreneurial activity in a variety of endeavors. David’s investment portfolio, together with his role as advisor/mentor and board member to early stage CEOs has given him a unique perspective on the financial and operational needs of companies that require debt financing or advisory assistance.
David received his BA from Emory University. In addition, David earned JD and MBA degrees from Northwestern University. David has been an adjunct professor of real estate finance at Northwestern Law School. Moreover, David has lectured extensively on networking and business development at colleges, MBA schools, law schools, law firms and wealth management firms. Finally, David has guest lectured at Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern) on the topic of raising money for VC and Independent Sponsors as well as career transitioning. Along with his MeadeCo responsibilities, David is a TIGER 21 chair in Chicago.
Senior Managing Director
Jeff has had a varied and successful multi-disciplinary career focused on investment, financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions and advisory work across a range of industries and geographies.
Jeff has spent much of his career making acquisitions and private equity investments after spending time in manufacturing operations and law. Jeff brings both an entrepreneurial and analytical mindset to his work at MeadeCo and joined the firm on a part time basis in 2023. At MeadeCo, Jeff is primarily focused on corporate M&A, financing of operating companies, CEO coaching and mentoring and CFO advisory work.
In addition to his work at MeadeCo, Jeff is an active partner in TRO Investment Group which is a fund of funds investing in private real estate and specialty finance opportunities. Besides time spent at TRO and MeadeCo, Jeff is the co-owner and managing partner of the Trek Bicycle Store of Highland Park, IL.
Prior to his current endeavors, in 2001 he co-founded Focus Investments and Focus Products Group, LLC (“FPG”), a company manufacturing consumer products and food service equipment. After building FPG to over $200 million in revenue, primarily through 16 acquisitions, majority ownership was sold in 2006. Jeff left day to day management in 2009. In 2011, Focus Investments, acquired O2Cool, LLC. O2Cool is the market leader in designing and manufacturing personal cooling devices, such as battery-operated fans and misters, hydration products as well as pool and beach products. O2Cool was sold by Focus Investments in 2017.
Prior to Focus, Jeff was a founding partner of Dakota Capital Partners, L.L.C., a private equity investment firm. As a partner in Dakota, Jeff was involved in all aspects of Dakota’s investments. Dakota was responsible for investing in six platform portfolio companies and eight add-on acquisitions.
Jeff entered the private equity business when he joined Heller Equity Capital Corporation (“HECC”) a subsidiary of Heller Financial, Inc., a large Chicago finance company, subsequently acquired by General Electric Capital Corporation. HECC made private equity investments in a wide range of companies, both in terms of stage as well as industry.
Jeff gained his manufacturing and operations experience after joining AMCO Corporation; a privately-held Chicago based manufacturing company, as a Vice President. Jeff began his career as an attorney with what is now Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, a national law firm based in Chicago. He concentrated his practice in the mergers and acquisitions and securities law areas.
Further he currently sits on the board of directors of a number of private companies and serves on the Executive Council of Granite Creek Capital Partners, LLC. Jeff is active in many philanthropic organizations and a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).
He received a B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from Northwestern University. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and is a C.P.A.
Managing Director
Scott Berman focuses largely on cannabis oriented transactions where he is able to leverage his extensive legacy experience in helping to develop the industry since 2014 with pioneering work at the convergence of technology, retail POS, brand differentiation, and customer lifecycle engineering.
Scott is a co-founder of The Panther Group, an organization and ecosystem focused on accelerating cannabis business performance. Scott joined the Panther Opportunity Fund (“Panther”), a vintage cannabis focused venture-capital fund with a complementary and diverse set of portfolio companies in 2017 as a Principal and member of the investment committee. The Panther team manages a portfolio of 40+ companies situated in 20+ industry sub-sectors.
Scott first entered the Cannabis space in 2014 when he co-founded the Cannabis Rep Network (merged into Calyx Distribution) to provide sales and distribution for brands in California.
Prior to Calyx, Scott co-founded a data driven digital ad agency called Audience Partners in 2007. The company pioneered targeting addressable audiences for political clients and the healthcare industry. After a successful exit in 2017, Scott entered the Cannabis world full-time.
Scott started his career as an owner and operator of a jewelry manufacturing business on Jewelers Row in Philadelphia. Scott has a degree from the University of Maryland. To put a special “bounce” in his career, from 1988 to present, Scott has worked for the Philadelphia 76ers, as head statistician for all NBA home games. Scott is based in Philadelphia, PA.
Our Approach
MeadeCo works closely with clients through every step of the the debt procurement process: critically evaluating the financeability of a client, preparing client for successful lender introductions/interface, procuring and evaluating term sheets, assisting in the negotiation of optimal terms, and managing the closing and funding process. Staffed and led by a team of experienced professionals who have been involved in finance from every perspective, we provide the unique perspective, advice and guidance that allows clients to access the appropriate capital to fit their near and longer term goals.
We also offer a range of advisory services from restructure to strategic planning to operational assistance. Our goal is to align with clients and to provide the resources to allow clients to overcome immediate challenges, thrive and grow.
Whether assisting clients on debt capitalization, advisory work or general connectivity, the MeadeCo team offers a consistent approach to understanding the key issues, researching alternatives and executing a crisp plan to create the best possible solution for our clients.
With MCD, we have added a new dimension of connectivity allowing our clients to access a nationwide virtual business development team of motivated individuals with significant contacts in a range of industries.
MeadeCo will…
LISTEN
Hearing a client’s concerns, asking probing questions
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RESEARCH
Evaluating the facts, exploring avenues of relief
OFFER ALTERNATIVES
Creating choice and optionality for clients
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EXECUTE A CREATIVE PLAN
Delivering results with creativity, resourcefulness and tenacity
Our Services
MeadeCo is a licensed Illinois loan broker. Regarding debt capitalizations, borrowers need a strong, experienced advocate to navigate the world of debt finance–especially in times of rising interest rates and unpredictable market volatility. Working hand in hand with clients, MeadeCo helps companies best position themselves for a comprehensive debt procurement process.
Debt Placement
Better for You Capital to fuel strategic growth and take advantage of opportunities that require additional capital. Offering a comprehensive program of debt procurement, MeadeCo helps companies clear the market, evaluate available options and secure the optimal debt capital facilities.
Advisory
MeadeCo offers a range of advisory services to augment a company’s ongoing operational, tactical and strategic needs. Careful situational analysis, an extensive network and deep experience bolsters the outcome of all advisory services, including business brokerage and investment banking.
Strategic Connections
MeadeCo has developed extensive contacts in law, finance, VC, PE, real estate, family offices and operating businesses across a variety of industries and geographies. We have been able to make extremely valuable introductions that have led to the conclusion of significant transactions benefiting both parties.
Warm Introductions
With the advent of MCD, we have taken our connection capabilities to a whole new level. Clients with limited or localized sales forces/BD teams benefit from a nationwide team deployed to open meaningful doors from coast to coast.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
As an addition to the Advisory Services offered through MeadeCo & the sales/connectivity services offered through MCD, David has developed a strategic relationship with a range of firms, individuals and counterparties who/which augment MeadeCo’s/MCD’s offerings and allow for clients to benefit from MeadeCo’s/MCD’s longstanding relationships. Key partners include firms which can add value to MeadeCo clients in the following areas:
- Appraisals Hilco”
- Business Brokerage Multiple”
- Cannabis Back Office/OPS Panther Christy P??”
- Construction Mosaic”
- Co-working Deskpass”
- CPG Sales/Finance/OPS Back Office Josh Reitman-family office/Jill K”
- Crypto/Bitcoin Gideon”
- Data/Location Services Seaker/Ashley”
- Fractional CFO/CMO/COOs
- Logistics/Trucks Nations Jims”
- Mentorship/Board of Directors Advisory Bruce Kabat”
- PEOs (Professional Employment Organization)
- Real Estate Joey”
- Recruitment
- Restructure Redd/Capstone”
- Risk Management CAC”
- Sales and Operational Help Siskin”
- Shipping Siskin”
- VC/PE Strategy + OPS Consulting
- Wire Fraud Prevention Gideon”