| Over the years, Aargo has provided CFO assistance to a number of businesses including: References
Here is a selection of references from satisfied clients: ACEURITY, INC. (A video software company)
“Simon has supported me in two business start-ups providing guidance, discipline and organizational skills that I didn’t have and could not have afforded from traditional professional sources. He is comfortable working with engineers, marketing consultants and strategic partners and has been instrumental in developing my business to a point where I can anticipate an M&A exit opportunity”. Vijay Desai, Founder and CEO
AMBER NETWORKS, INC ( A wireless infrastructure company)
“I came across a great business opportunity but I was hampered in moving forward by a lack of finance and the credibility of my limited general management experience. With his contacts and experience Simon has helped me raise over $12 million and build a successful business. I would certainly plan to work with him again on my next start-up”. Rob Reagan, President and Founder
BINAURA CORPORATION (A speaker technology company)
“Having a great idea and IP is one thing but implementation is a painfully slow process and I was frustrated by the inability to take my Company to the next step. I found it re-assuring to work with Simon and was pleased that he helped me raise over one million dollars, and position the company for broader market opportunities”. Jim Uyeda, CEO and Founder
CHAPARRAL COUNTRY CORPORATION (Wild West theme park developer)
“Simon has helped me do all the detailed and dirty work that has to be done in capitalizing, organizing and running the Company, negotiating and writing contracts, and managing our RFPs. However, what I really appreciate is his vision and imagination when it comes to exploiting market opportunities and positioning our company for success”.
Shawn Mott, CEO and Founder
FILTRATION DYNAMICS INC (A water treatment technology company) “I have long recognized that nobody is perfect. While I may be considered a great visionary with a high level of conceptual engineering design and market development skills, I am not a businessman, and I realize that this limitation can hold my Company back, especially in the early stages. I am so glad I found Simon to help me address the problems I face, and would recommend that you take advantage of his business and financial experience to help you too”! Mel Cook, Founder and CTO
GEO SEMICONDUCTOR INC. (a video and geometric processing semiconductor company)
GEO was entering a growth phase and was positioning for a large series B financing, so we needed a strong and experienced CFO. As we had been using an off-site part time finance executive, this approach was unworkable in the new situation. GEO had huge problems in managing our business with cash flow, funding, accounting, forecasting, board and investors, and general business organization and structure. GEO hired Simon, initially for one day a week, and he has transformed our problems into solutions and given us credibility with our business partners and is very helpful in our financing activities. Paul Russo, CEO and Founder
GOLDSPOT MEDIA, INC (mobile interactive advertising platform)
“Simon’s valuable guidance on fundraising, operations, corporate and international finances & accounting since inception have been instrumental in the rapid growth of GoldSpot Media business. His extensive business knowledge, international experience, and network of contacts have also been helpful in positioning the company in new markets. He is a seasoned and motivated executive with the right attitude and acumen to help startups succeed in tough financial markets. During my association with Simon over the past 3 years, I have always considered him as a close friend and mentor, and would highly recommend him for any business and financial development for growth stage or public companies”. Srini Dharmaji, CEO and Founder
IN MEDIA CORPORATION (IMDC. OB) (Public IP TV company)
“My company became public last year through a reverse merger and is now subject to the rigors of timely compliance in its SEC reporting, while having to operate on a very tight operating budget. I would never have been able to build and run this company without Simon, and the value he contributes goes way beyond the areas of finance, admin and accounting”. Nick Karnik, CE and Founder
MSOFT, INC. (An anti spam software company)
“Having an idea is easy but raising money and putting a plan together are another matter, especially when multiple founders are involved. Simon helped us focus our efforts and pull together a clear and simple proposal. In addition to his contribution to fund raising and financial management, he provided general management guidance, helping us build the team, develop strategic relationships and ultimately sell the business”. Jonathan Jiang, Founder
MG HOLDINGS (A financial securities company) “Simon has been invaluable in sharing his business contacts and applying his years of CFO experience to contribute to my market development plans. He is so much more than just a finance guy!” Mike Gumport, Founding Director
MWEDIA, INC (A VOIP service company)
“Simon has provided tremendous assistance in my last two start-ups, not just in the traditional areas like fundraising and, business modeling and corporate structure, but also in areas like channel development and market positioning. You need a Simon Westbrook in your business”! Ram Bhuma, CEO and Founder
ONERAN NETWORKS, INC (wireless infrastructure hosting)
“I am a successful entrepreneur and start-up arranger However, I know my limitations and business organization, planning and fund raising are not my strengths. I was lucky to be introduced to Simon and I am delighted to have him handle all the stuff I don’t want or need to know about, but which is nevertheless important to the Company. I have absolute confidence in him and his ability to provide a timely, accurate, and efficient service”. Brad McManus Founder
SAGE INC ( A display semiconductor company)
“We hired Simon as a consultant to help develop a business plan and raise money to build our video controller IC business. He ended up joining the company and was successful in helping us raise five rounds of angel and VC investment, completing an IPO and closing 2 public Company M&A transactions. His wide range of experience helped us avoid the usual start-up mistakes, save money, and build our business more cost effectively. I have continued to use his services in subsequent business activities and highly recommend him”. Chandra Reddy CEO and Founder
SIMPLE SILICON INC ( A Semiconductor company)
“I had developed a growing Semiconductor IP Licensing company when I met Simon. He helped me position my Company for sale and guided me through the process to a successful M&A exit. I recommend him and would work with him again in a similar situation”. Gyan Tiwary, CEO and Founder
START MOBILE ( a multi media content provider company)
“Simon has patiently supported us through many generations of business plans providing discipline encouragement and guidance in the face of adversity. I would recommend him to any one with ideas and aspirations”. John Doffing, CEO & Founder
TRIPATH TECHNOLOGY, INC. ( A DSP audio company)
“I have known Simon for almost ten years and found him to be a wise and experienced advisor. I have benefited from his advice, and believe that he can add significant value to the enterprenurial process, and subsquently provide valuable guidance, and contribution for growth”. Adya Tripathi, CEO and Founder
UMUNDO CORPORATION (A mobile video transfer platform)
“Simon helped us organize our start-up company. His help was both valuable and reassuring and so much cheaper and focused than using traditional accountants. I would’nt hesitate to use his services again”. Prashant Parekh, CEO and Founder
THREE PLUS ONE TECHNOLOGY (a multi-processor chip company)
“Simon has helped us through the early stages of our business development with his experience, guidance and organizational skills. I would make a point of recommending him to anyone planning ahead for a successful business”. Allan Cox, CEO and Co-Founder
WALLS 360 INC (a content display company)
“I met Simon Westbrook in 1995. I was fresh out of graduate school, and joined Virtual i-O, a Seattle startup that manufactured Head Mounted Displays for consumer and industrial Virtual Reality applications. I joined the company in a junior sales and marketing capacity, and Simon was the company's CFO. Having both attended the same university, we struck up a professional and personal relationship that has now spanned 16 years and countless entrepreneurial projects and companies. Over this period, Simon's business and financial guidance have been truly invaluable. We have worked together on numerous startups, both his and my own, and his guidance and support have been exceptional. From creating complex financial models and projections for nascent markets, to fundraising, infrastructure creation, and startup management, Simon's background and expertise have added profound value in each and every instance. In my experience, Simon Westbrook is an inspiring and top-notch individual, and I truly appreciate his character, vision, and guidance. I recommend him wholeheartedly and without reservation”. John Doffing, Founder
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Client References |