Structuring Growth in a Regulated Consumer Industry
Consumer brands operating in regulated industries face a dual challenge: building emotional connection with customers while navigating complex operational and regulatory constraints. This was the situation of a fast-growing European food startup, referred to here as Project Helios, positioned at the intersection of premium consumer experience and operational excellence.
Early demand was strong. The company was scaling faster than its structure.
The challenge
Project Helios had achieved rapid initial traction through a differentiated product and strong brand positioning. However, growth exposed several structural weaknesses:
Increasing operational complexity across sourcing, production, and distribution
Limited visibility on unit economics as volumes increased
A business plan built around ambition rather than execution constraints
Investor interest growing faster than the company’s internal readiness
The founding team needed to professionalize the organization without losing momentum or brand DNA.
Our intervention
Genki International was engaged through an advisory mandate internally referred to as Project Keystone.
The objective was to help the company transition from an entrepreneurial setup to a scalable and investable operating model.
1. Rebuilding the operating and financial foundation
Under Project Groundwork, we worked with management to:
Clarify cost structures and margin drivers across the value chain
Rebuild unit economics reflecting real operational conditions
Identify operational bottlenecks limiting scalable growth
This phase provided management with a clear, fact-based view of the business.
2. Aligning growth ambitions with execution capacity
Through Project Alignment, we supported the leadership team in:
Prioritizing growth channels based on profitability and operational feasibility
Structuring a phased expansion plan across regions and partners
Defining hiring and investment priorities aligned with cash constraints
Growth objectives were reframed into a realistic, executable roadmap.
3. Preparing the company for investor scrutiny
Finally, under Project Signal, we helped Project Helios:
Consolidate a clear equity and funding narrative
Prepare a detailed business plan and investor materials
Strengthen governance and reporting ahead of fundraising discussions
This work positioned the company as disciplined, credible, and ready for institutional capital.
Key outcomes
Within the first year following the engagement, Project Helios achieved:
Improved margin visibility and stronger unit economics
Stabilized operations supporting continued growth
Successful completion of its first structured fundraising round
Reinforced confidence from existing shareholders and partners
The company entered its next phase of growth with stronger foundations and clearer strategic direction.
