Arcadio (Kayo) Ramirez

A seasoned professional, Arcadio Ramirez brings over three decades of experience in working with early-stage technology business to the Michigan SBDC. An attorney by training, he provides invaluable guidance to startup enterprises on a range of crucial matters including financing, commercial operations, corporate governance and intellectual property strategies. His involvement in financial projects has overseen ventures surpassing $30M in magnitude.

Prior to joining the Michigan SBDC Arcadio was engaged in a number of entrepreneurial pursuits, successfully orchestrating the formation, funding, operation and eventual sale of two distinct companies. Notably, one of these ventures, Do It Sports, was among the pioneering transaction-based Internet platforms.

Arcadio’s expertise extends further as he took on roles within management teams and functioned as a trusted business consultant for such Fortune 50 companies such as AT&T, Intel, and Ford Motor Company. His involvement as a management consultant encompassed strategic initiatives such as new product development, customer segmentation, financial restructuring and private marketplace strategies. The outcomes of these endeavors translated into multimillion-dollar savings and earnings for his clients.

For the past 15 years with the Michigan SBDC he has assisted clients in the following areas:

• Business Formation. Address fundamental business and legal issues (e.g., choice of entity, division of equity) faced by company founders.
• Investment Capital Acquisition. Identification and discussion of alternative sources of investment capital and means of securing.
• Investor Materials Review. Review and refinement of investor materials (business plan, executive summary, pitch deck). Ensuring accuracy, readability and efficacy.
• Grant Funding Review. In-depth review of State grant applications and commercialization elements of SBIR/STTR applications.
• Intellectual Property Investigation. Use of IP tools to assist clients in better understanding patent landscape and the associated opportunities.
• Financial Model Analysis and Development. Review and refinement of financial models for accuracy and credibility.
• Commercialization. Address issues surrounding market selection, go-to-market strategies and business model development.

Educationally, Arcadio pursued his business studies at the University of Michigan Business School, his Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan.