Most companies are told to follow the same path.
Grow incrementally.
Compete in familiar markets.
Use established revenue models.
Raise capital on standard terms.
Accept the limitations of the industry.
Next Stage Trajectory is for founder led companies and partners not happy with the statis quo.
NST brings together founders, operators, and advisors who have built companies, entered new markets, and challenged established ways of working. Each brings a different perspective and area of expertise, but they share the same mindset: question the default, identify the stronger path, and stay focused on results.
The NST portfolio comprises companies applying alternative thinking to real-world commercial and industry challenges. Across sectors, these businesses are creating new technologies, revenue models, market approaches, and methods of delivering value, each with a clear opportunity and a defined growth trajectory.
NST is powered by a network of founders, builders, and operators who have navigated the transition from early traction to real scale.
These partners bring practical experience, pattern recognition, and strategic perspective to founders pursuing their next stage.
Deb Henretta
Board Member
Previously: P&G President EMEA
Sector Focus: Global Brands and Consumer Products.
Bill Owens
Board Advisor
Previously: AEA Asia MD, Nortel CEO
Sector Focus: Department of Defense and Global Finance.
Suneet Paul
Board Advisor
Previously: Vyze CEO
Sector Focus: Financial Services and Private Equity.
Bill Weathersby
Founder & Chairman
Previously: Netzero LLC Chairman
Sector Focus: Global Growth and Capital Raises.
James Ray
Founding Partner
Previously: JPMorgan Chase MD
Sector Focus: Global Tech and Payment Platforms.
Mark Voytek
Founding Partner
Previously: EY & KPMG Partner
Sector Focus: Global Business Services and Consumer Products
John Tikkanen
Founding Partner
Previously: President, Bredero Shaw
Sector Focus: Climate Technology and Oil & Gas.
Stewart Skomra
Partner US
Previously: Qualcomm, Strategic Dir
Sector Focus: Deep Tech and AI platforms.
John Cooper
Founding Partner
Previously: Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Distribution President
Sector Focus: Global Financial Services.
Sara Macauley
Partner Scotland
Previously: Global SCOT Board Advisor
Sector Focus: Scottish companies expanding into US.
Steve Koutros
Partner Netherlands
Previously: ISG Partner EMEA
Sector Focus: Global Expansion and Pharmaceuticals.
Daniella Goodwin
Partner UK
Previously: Searchtank Ass, CGO
Sector Focus: Climate Technology and Logistics.
Stuart Gilmore
Partner UK
Previously: Renewable Energy Developer, Early Stage Fund Partner
Sector Focus: AgriTech, Climate Tech, Renewable Energy, Strategy and Growth, Debt and Equity Raising
Next Stage Trajectory is an equity-free growth platform for founder-led companies. We combine
experienced business leaders, a proven growth methodology, strategic relationships, and access
to an extensive investor ecosystem to help founders build more valuable, scalable companies.
We primarily work with founder-led, growth-oriented companies that have established market
traction but are not reaching their full potential. The ideal founder believes the business can grow
significantly and wants experienced partners, a stronger network, and better access to capital to
help make that happen.
We do more than offer advice. Our partners work alongside the founder over an extended period
to identify obstacles, make introductions, strengthen the leadership team, refine go-to-market
execution, and help pursue measurable growth. Unlike many accelerators, we do not require
founders to give up equity.
Every founder’s 10X opportunity is different. It may involve increasing revenue, improving
profitability, expanding valuation, entering new markets, raising capital, or preparing for an
eventual transaction. We help each founder define a specific Life-Changing Target and build a
practical roadmap toward it.
A Life-Changing Target, or LCT, is the personal and financial outcome the founder ultimately
wants the business to create. It connects company growth to the founder’s most important life
goals and gives the entire Next Stage Trajectory plan a clear, measurable destination.
The 48-month engagement combines strategic planning sessions, quarterly working meetings,
monthly advisory calls, biweekly progress check-ins, partner-led support, accountability, and
introductions across our business and investor networks. The program is tailored to the
company’s priorities and stage of growth.
We are not a traditional venture capital fund, and funding is not guaranteed. We help founders
become better prepared for investment and, when appropriate, introduce them to relevant
investors, lenders, strategic partners, and other capital sources within our Funding Portal that
consists of over 9,500 investors.
It begins with a confidential founder conversation. We will discuss your company’s current
position, growth barriers, ambitions, and Life-Changing Target. If we believe our methodology,
partners, and network can materially improve your trajectory—and the fit is right on both
sides—we will outline the next steps.
The Founder Growth Network Portal is the digital hub where founders access their growth
roadmap, strategic resources, performance dashboards, meeting materials, partner
recommendations, and the broader Next Stage Trajectory network.
Within the portal, the Funding Growth Stack helps founders prepare for and execute a more
disciplined capital strategy. It consists of over 9,500 Investors and supports investor readiness,
identifies appropriate funding sources, organizes investor outreach, tracks introductions and
conversations, and provides access to Next Stage Trajectory’s network of investors, lenders,
advisors, and strategic partners.
Together, these tools turn network access into a structured process—helping founders connect
with the right people, present a stronger investment opportunity, and build relationships that can
support their next stage of growth.
Define your Life Changing Target and explore
the trajectory required to reach it.
