01
Capital Building
Case-based learning with an experienced business or capital advisor. Every module uses the participant's own company as its case study, building a strong business case for investment.
Built for Beyond the Middle.
For businesses headquartered in the greater metropolitan area of the program city and ready to scale into the next level of growth.
Greater Birmingham was the first selected city, with Beyond the Middle™ beta completed in Q4 2025 and the formal 12-week intensive launched in Q1 2026.
Is this you?
$1M-$10M
in annual revenue
Greater Birmingham model12 weeksCohort of 12
- Profitable, proven businesses already operating inside the Missing Middle
- Companies seeking capital structure guidance, strategic growth planning, and executive-level advisors
- Teams ready to grow revenue, create jobs, and compete for larger-market capital
The 12-week path from readiness to capital conversations.
Each cohort moves through a structured flow that ends in real capital conversations, with expert support through the decision.
- 1
Inform & Engage
Capital Readiness Event
Equip businesses with the tools and knowledge to attract funding.
- 2
Capacity Building
12 weeks of live and virtual classes and coaching
Develop solid business cases for capital — operational excellence and financial preparation.
- 3
Access to Capital
Capital Readiness Plan
Develop a Capital Readiness Plan to secure funding, with connection to SSBCI, SBIC, equity, and growth capital providers.
- 4
Access to Networks
Capital Matchmaking
Connect participants with capital providers through matchmaking events — warm introductions with context and aligned capital sources.
- 5
Engage & Decide
Expert support on the capital decision
Connect participants to legal and financial experts for management support — decision-ready materials and guidance on capital structure.
- 6
Equip Businesses
A sustainable growth path
Tools and knowledge to attract funding and a sustainable growth path into the Missing Middle.
Built on four pillars.
02
Capital Readiness Package
Expert advisors help develop a capital readiness pitch deck appealing to lenders and investors. A third-party investment bank works alongside each company to develop a professional investment presentation.
03
Individual Advice
A dedicated strategic advisor throughout the 12-week intensive helps navigate the complex world of funding and provides the tools needed to succeed.
04
Network Connections
Access to a network of strategic partners — former CFOs, supply chain leaders, former private equity and debt providers, and growth leaders — who collectively build the “investment-ready” model for each business.
Participants finish with fundable materials and matched access.
The work is practical: use your company as the case study, build the capital package, and walk into the room with the right story.
- A comprehensive understanding of the capital ecosystem
- An expanded network of key industry contacts, potential investors, lenders, and a supportive network of peers and mentors
- A tailored capital readiness package and tools to present their business effectively
- Enhanced financial acumen, equipping them with the skills to sustainably manage and scale their businesses
- Increased business growth potential
Your investor story
A polished, compelling investor presentation built with an investment bank so you can walk into any room with confidence.
Investor access
Real introductions to capital sources matched to your business, stage, and capital need.
Capital matchmaking
A culminating event where participants meet qualified capital providers face-to-face and start real funding conversations.
Executive-level advisors
Guidance from investors, operators, and strategists with track records in the $10M+ business world.
A funded path forward
Our goal for every participant is capital secured within six months of completing the program.
Revenue growth discipline
Support to unlock new revenue streams, address scalability challenges, and step back into strategic growth.
The work doesn't stop at week 12.
Up to 9 months of continued coaching plus cohort and alumni events.
Graduates stay supported well past the intensive — turning program momentum into durable, fundable growth.
After the intensive
9 months
of continued support, included
- Continued one-on-one coaching
- Cohort & alumni events
- Curated resources
Beyond the Middle success stories.
Real companies from Beyond the Middle — capital secured, teams hired, and durable growth, in their own numbers.
BirminghamBeyond the Middle
Civil & transportation engineering
Sarcor
A civil engineering firm went from the brink of shutting down to $2.3M in new contracts and licensure in six states.
$500K
Growth capital secured
BirminghamBeyond the Middle
Utility services — power & fiber infrastructure
Cahaba Energy Solutions
A newly acquired utility services company tripled revenue to $10M and grew from 10 to 30 full-time employees.
3.3x
Revenue growth ($3M → $10M)
BirminghamBeyond the Middle
Waste management, infrastructure, demolition & fiber
CJ's Ventures
A fast-growing waste and infrastructure firm secured $1.2M in capital and scaled to multi-state operations.
$1.2M
Growth capital secured
BirminghamBeyond the Middle
Hospitality & artisan bakery
Bandit Pâtisserie & La Fête
An accomplished Birmingham restaurateur scaling her pâtisserie and café — and pursuing a downtown boutique-hotel concept.
~3x
Sales revenue growth
Compare both paths.
$500K-$2M annual revenue
Beyond the Million
For businesses ready to break through to the next stage of growth with investor-ready tools, senior guidance, and capital connections.
$1M-$10M annual revenue
Beyond the Middle
For businesses headquartered in the greater metropolitan area of the program city and ready to scale into the next level of growth.
Ready for Beyond the Middle?
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