Case studies
Many companies have trusted us. Below is a list of past and current case studies.
Client Card Software
Description: Credit card dispute Software.
Project: Growth support and raising finance.
Finance raised: £500k Debt and Equity Finance.
The client had a start-up software company which specialised in the development and hosting of internet based credit card dispute software. It had been developed for use within acquiring banks and large retail environments where it automated the processors associated with the raising and settlement of payment card disputes, for both Point Of Sale (POS) and card holder not present (CNP) transactions. The business began from a standing start designing and developing its software and at the same time trying to acquire sales for the product. The initial capital injected by the directors of the company was rapidly eroded and the search for investment began.
- Analysis of the market opportunity for payment card dispute software
- Analysis of credit card fraud in the target markets
- Competitive analysis
- Business planning
- Finalization of business plans for investor presentations
- Relationship and investment management with the bank
- Five year strategies
The company was successful in securing a loan from a High-street Bank under the DTI’s loan guarantee scheme and equity finance for the full amount required. The company won ‘ best young business’ 2004 at mustard uk com awards. The company has now grown to an annual seven-figure turnover and has developed leading edge technologies and an e-commerce trading model which is in great demand.
Employment Law Services
Description: Employment law and health and safety services.
Project: Re-launch business under new structure.
Finance raised: £750K (LGS loan) and additional equity investment.
Two highly experienced executives in Employment Law and Health & safety services developed programmes and services to support SMEs. Initially they had gone into partnership with a small legal firm to deliver these services but the relationship proved extremely difficult and slow to develop.
Genesis was approached under the Mustard programme to assist the directors to dissolve the existing partnership amicably and restructure the business proposition so that it could be successfully launched.
The client also had several issues and concerns relating to the market place, product and company branding, staffing requirements, operational systems and structure and obtaining necessary funding.
The first task was to divest the business from the legal firm, which was achieved over a six-week period. On achieving this, a full market survey was undertaken to assess the viability of the product offerings, identity and review competition and develop a marketing strategy to enhance the MHL brand and image. Simultaneously, the operations of the business were analysed and a staffing structure formalised based upon the financial forecasts agreed with the management. A full financial plan and budgets were developed with the directors and a 3-year forecast was produced to cover profit and loss, cash flow requirements and balance sheets. From this information the funding requirements of the business were calculated. |
The outcome of this detailed work produced a full business plan, which received a loan from the DTI small firms loan guarantee scheme. The company also secured an equity investment from a regional venture capital fund.
The company is listed on the mustard.uk.com website as “one of the most successful products of the mustard.uk.com high-grown start-up programme”. According to Nick McKay, founder and managing director, “with the guidance and support received from mustard.uk.com, Genesis and the advantage technology fund, we were able to raise the finance and launch the company."
Since launch of the business, it supports now achieve seven figure annual sales and employ nearly 150 staff. The company was the subject of a trade sale in December 2006 for an undisclosed eight-figure sum. It is the biggest success story to come out of mustard.uk.com’s High Growth start-up programme.
Network Implementation
Description: WAN optimisation software.
Project: Product development, raising finance, and marketing strategy.
Finance raised: £2 Million Equity Finance 3iPLC.

Three senior managers of a major telecommunications designed a software package aimed at optimizing the productivity and efficiency of Wide Area Networks (WANs). The software package was targeted at telecommunications companies. The client approached Genesis as he was struggling to raise the significant levels of finance needed to develop the product.
Rail Safety Equipment
Description: Supplier of safety lighting to the rail industry.
Project: Viability study to support acquisition of manufacturing tooling.
Finance Raised: £1 Million.

Genesis were engaged to undertake market assessment to advise the client on the viability of acquiring the tooling for emergency lighting designed specially for the rail industry. The client was under pressure to take over the project from their large joint-venture partner who had failed to sell the product to the UK rail services companies and claimed that the market at that partiular time was saturated.
Logistics Service
Description: Software Company.
Project: Raising finance.
Finance raised: Financed by parent company.

The company applied to a regional Venture Capital Fund for finance acquisition of assets via an MBO and for funding business operations. The investor indicated that they would consider supporting the MOB subject to confirmation of market demand. The support has been requested as part of their due diligence process to ensure the project is investment ready.
The company was referred to Genesis by the investor in order to determine the demand for the products and services of the client. Genesis performed the following activities: · A review of the UK market using published sources available in the public domain to undertake a market overview and situational analysis and to determine the market structure and the key market trends. · A competitor analysis to assess the major players in the industry. Both direct and indirect competitors were identified in terms of their core products and services. · A telephone survey of their existing customers to understand the main problems/difficulties that customers face within the identified markets targets. · The above findings were presented in the form of a market report. |
Joinery Company
Description: Manufacture and install standard and bespoke wooden products.
Project: Business looking to expand and buy new machinery.
Finance Raised: £100K Awarded grant for 15% of total project cost.

Genesis worked with a joinery company which manufactured and installed quality joinery products including doors, windows, conservatories, office partitions and wardrobes. The company supplied bespoke, made-to-order, manufactured joinery products of high quality. At the time of consultancy, the company was running as a sole-trader business and had been in operation for over five years.
It was then employing ten people and had an annual turnover of six figures. The company had a wide customer base that includes Councils, businesses and private customers and it typically quoted delivery times of around 12 to 14 weeks. Most of the components were made on a range of machines including cutter, routers, etc. that required skilled workers. However the company was suffering from a shortage of workers with suitable skills. To improve production efficiencies, the company owner proposed to invest in a new automated machine which would manufacture complete panels in a single operation
The new investment would also allow the company to employ more unskilled labour and by providing appropriate training the staff will then be more effectively employed in installations. In addition to the above investment, the client was also considering re-locating to bigger premises to encompass the needs of the expanding business. This required disassembly, removal and re-installation of the machines in the new premises. Genesis helped the client to apply for grant support from the DTI for the expansion project. The support activities conducted by Genesis were as follows:
- Market research of the UK joinery market to underpin the proposed expansion application.
- Developed financial budgets and projections.
- Prepared and submitted grant application for 15% of the total cost.
- Provided support to liaise with DTI.
Bedroom Manufacturer
Description: Manufacture and install wooden products.
Project: Relocation to new premises and capital investment.
Finance raised: £250K Awarded grant for total amount sought after.

The client manufactured and installed quality bedroom and kitchen fittings which included cupboards, drawers, wardrobes and other units. The company employed 20 people and had an annual six-figure turnover. The company’s wide customer base included Housing Associations, trade and private retail customers. Most of the components were made on a range of machines including CNSs, panel saws, etc. that required semi-skilled workers. The company had reached the capacity that its premises allowed and therefore, for efficient operation, the company required extra space to streamline material throughout and to avoid double handling. To improve production capacity, the client proposed to invest in new premises along with various items of machinery to improve the overall productivity of employees and production processes. Relocation to the larger premises required disassembly, removal and re-installation of the machines in the new premises. The targeted premises also required some structural renovations to ensure that they were suitable for the business.
Genesis assisted the company to apply for grant support from the DTI for the expansion project and undertook the following activities:
- Research of the UK market to underpin the proposed expansion and investment.
- Developed financial projections.
- Prepared and submitted the grant application to the DTI and provided support to liaise with them.
As a result of the services provided by Genesis, the client was able to secure the entire amount of the grant applied for.
The following clients of Genesis have been recognised with awards:
Mustard.uk.com Awards:
✓ TriRidium Ltd - Best Young Business
✓ Swain Bus and Coach Ltd - Commitment to Engineering Excellence
✓ Forensic Pathways - Most Innovative Business and Business of the Year
✓ Espace - Finalist Fastest Growing Business
✓ Epic Skating
✓ Mhl Support plc
✓ Zybert Computers Ltd
✓ Geo Industries Ltd
Birmingham Chamber Entrepreneurship Awards
✓ Webset Ltd
✓ Netscient