We thrive
when you grow
Accelerate your future
Orchid Black rapidly drives Revenue and EBITDA growth, increasing enterprise value for founder-led companies and financial partners.
We go beyond traditional consulting. Rolling up our sleeves to deliver inception-to-exit operating services.
evaluated
and owner exits
Who we work with
Promising, founder-led companies
Orchid Black delivers hands-on execution and strategic co-leadership. Our team of former executives makes centuries of expertise and a vast network of tech-ecosystem partners available for small and medium sized businesses. We understand the unique challenges you face, and our collaborative model is designed to mitigate risks while multiplying your opportunities for growth and revenue diversification.
Enterprises eyeing carve-outs
Our agile leadership provides confidential, expert guidance to turn your technology and AI productization ideas into reality. We combine a proven framework for product-market-fit with a deep understanding of your unique business model to launch innovation. Our integrated team ensures the realization of untapped technology value without disrupting your core resources.
Private equity firms
Orchid Black embeds seasoned CXO’s and a proven framework for immediate value creation to unlock fresh monetization opportunities, tailoring portco operating models to fit your unique investment thesis and develop platform plays. We accelerate revenue growth - bringing extensive relationships with large ecosystem players such as AWS, Snowflake, and Databricks to accelerate growth from inception to harvest.
Services Offered
Growth Advisory
Uncover your strategic potential
Confidently choose the best path to success with data-backed recommendations into where and how you should be competing.
Growth Advisory
Uncover your strategic potential
· Market & competitor research
· Business advisory & coaching
· New-Market Opportunities
· Innovation
Product Design & Launch
Create enduring products
Transform existing products into scalable platforms or turn new ideas into innovative, market ready solutions.
Product Design & Launch
Create enduring products
· IP Commercialization
· AI first roadmap & architecture
· Solution development
· Pricing & Packaging
Go to Market Acceleration
Rapidly scale revenue
Predictably translate opportunities into revenue and build partner programs through our deep industry relationships.
Go to Market Acceleration
Rapidly scale revenue
· Partnership programs
· Product market fit
· Brand Architecture
· Quality of Pipeline
Exit Optimization
Enhance enterprise value
Operate founder-led and PE portfolio companies, rapidly increasing Enterprise Value & connecting with ideal buyers for a strategic exit.
Exit Optimization
Enhance enterprise value
· Business process optimization
· Exit readiness
· In-depth due diligence
· Post M&A integration
How we work
with you
Combine your vision with our expertise. Hear how our distinct model sets us apart from growth consultants.
Partnership Over Projects
We only choose winners, seeking deep partnerships and an outsized return instead of outsized hourly rates
Integrated Expertise
We skip armchair recommendations, integrating real-world experts into client teams for immediate solutions
Maximized Enterprise Value
We’ve been through exits — we know what buyer’s look for and we know the right levers to pull to close the value gap and maximize value
Shared Success
We bet on ourselves and align our compensation with your success, assuring a return on your investment
Our
Approach
We offer a unique approach that ensures your value and performance long after traditional managemement or growth consultants. Our approach involves ring-fencing our team within your organization to ensure culture, operations and incentives evolve in support of your total value transformation.
Strategize
Clarify Your Opportunity
We decompose core value drivers and pair them with intensive market and customer research to uncover your most compelling opportunities
Accelerate
Execute Your Ambition
We integrate with your team, piloting growth strategies to rapidly increase demand, achieve strategic goals, and maximize valuation
Harvest
Sustain Your Success
Ensure enduring impact, facilitating smooth transitions for sustained success. maximized Return on Investment, and lasting legacy
Case Studies
growth strategy
A leading cybersecurity firm partnered with Orchid Black to overhaul its IAM solution's P&P amid rising competition and a shift towards cloud computing and IoT.
Orchid Black Results
Key insights led to a strategy introducing a "wedge offering" to ease sales and attract new clients. Orchid Black's collaboration, involving interviews and financial analysis.
exit strategy
This financial technology company puts easy-to-use risk management and portfolio analysis tools into the hands of professional investors.
Orchid Black Results
Through the execution of a seven-month growth services engagement, the company and Orchid Black executed on a new go-to-market strategy that realized an ROI of more than 4000%.
revenue growth
Thumbstopper, a Martech SaaS company, overcame growth stagnation by realigning sales and marketing strategies, resulting in consistent pricing and revenue upswing.
Orchid Black Results
Thumbstopper increased market share, slashing marketing costs by $500K while boosting year-over-year revenue by 30% and saving over $750K through incentive restructuring.
digital transformation
This tech company was challenged in navigating to cloud computing amidst the dominance of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. They needed to understand the factors involved in migrating.
Orchid Black Results
Our research aimed to guide a well-established corporation through the tumult of digital transformation and cloud computing integration. It highlighted the importance of aligning business and cloud.
repositioning
The Hilco retail team developed a tech platform used to scale and accelerate inventory liquidation efforts and realized it could be offered to their customers to drive best practices.
Orchid Black Results
Orchid Black’s strategic growth consultants supported this effort product development at Hilco with the analysis and selection of a software development vendor.
service model design
When this organization experienced an unexpected surge of consumer inquiries to their call center, the leadership team recognized a need to improve the customer experience.
Orchid Black Results
Orchid Black did a phenomenally deep assessment of Xyngular’s current state, prioritizing and refocusing multiple areas for leadership and potential investment for Xyngular.
Our Managing Partners
Jim LaPalermo
Managing Partner
Over 30 years of experience with top technology and consulting firms, such as Intel, PWC, Accenture, as well as startups. I’ve specialized in defining strategies for client profiles, ensuring pipeline growth, and creating strategic revenue programs.
Damon Auer
Managing Partner
Lifelong learner, builder, leader and operator passionate about helping people and companies achieve audacious objectives.
Bob Caruso
Managing Partner
Seasoned business leader with expertise in forming top-tier teams and delivering swift, tangible results.
Howard Joyce
Founder & Managing Partner
Experienced in leading SaaS and tech services, building dynamic teams and implementing strategic improvements to drive efficiency and scale.
I am an experienced executive that has devoted my entire career to technology, from mainframes to Artificial Intelligence. I have a proven track record of realizing business value through compelling user experiences delivered through quality, hardened technology platforms. I have served clients from small businesses to the Fortune 50 as a team member of small boutiques to large global Systems Integrators. I have had the privilege of serving clients in Retail, Life Sciences, Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, and other sectors in my career. I have had the benefit of working with technology ranging from sector-specific platforms to MarTech to horizontal global hyperscalers. My hands-on experience has empowered me to bring unique perspectives and capabilities to every client that I serve. I have a proven track record of delivering results with high performing teams, both as a hands-on technology practitioner and a P&L owner. I have personally led multiple large-scale digital transformation programs to successful outcomes, from business strategy to technology strategy.
Industry & Type Expertise
Enterprise Architecture and Technology MarTech Financial Services/Insurance Retail Life Sciences
Mastery and Unique Skills
Business/Digital/IT Transformation Enterprise Architecture Agile Software Design and Architecture Cloud Quality Assurance
Steve Figman is an accomplished executive and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience driving transformational growth, operational excellence, and market leadership across healthcare, life sciences, and technology sectors. With a distinguished career at industry-leading organizations like Veeva Systems, NTT Data, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Hewlett Packard, Steve is a trusted partner to senior leaders, helping them navigate complex business challenges and achieve lasting success. Steve’s expertise spans a wide range of critical areas, including go-to-market strategy, revenue generation, sales and marketing optimization, digital transformation, and competitive positioning. He is particularly adept at leveraging advanced technologies, such as AI and cloud solutions, to create innovative strategies that unlock new growth opportunities and streamline operations. Steve partners with organizations to solve complex challenges, accelerate growth, and create long-term value. With his deep industry knowledge, operational rigor, and focus on results, Steve is a trusted advisor for companies seeking to drive impactful change, optimize performance, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. As a hands-on leader, Steve has an exceptional ability to craft strategic visions and guide their execution, helping organizations achieve measurable results. Whether leading digital health initiatives, optimizing sales and marketing efforts, or guiding large-scale transformations, Steve’s approach is grounded in a deep understanding of both business strategy and operational execution. Holding an MBA and a Six Sigma Process Excellence belt, Steve brings a disciplined, data-driven mindset to all his engagements, ensuring that companies not only meet but exceed their growth objectives. His ability to drive both strategy and execution has made him an invaluable asset to organizations looking to scale and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Industry & Type Expertise
Healthcare & Life Sciences Technology & Digital Health AI & Cloud Solutions Growth-Stage & Enterprise Companies Professional & Managed Services
Mastery and Unique Skills
Strategic Vision & Business Growth Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution Revenue Optimization & Sales Enablement Digital Transformation & AI Integration Competitive Strategy & Market Differentiation Organizational Alignment & Scaling Process Excellence & Operational Efficiency
I am an accomplished professional with over three decades of experience in healthcare and information technology. I have effectively ensured the fulfilment of commitments to clients, employees, and global organizations on a regular basis. In my various roles throughout my career, I have consistently emphasized establishing and nurturing trusted relationships with clients and partners to achieve mutual and strategic benefit. With a comprehensive background in healthcare technology, I served as North America Operations Director and Company Officer at Dedalus Group. Prior to this, I spent four years at DXC Technology as a Client Partner, excelling as a General Manager of a client portfolio of large healthcare organizations. My extensive experience also includes a 32-year tenure at Hewlett Packard and Electronic Data Systems, where I held various roles such as Client Sales Executive and Information Technology Executive. My responsibilities included new business development, client relationship management, contract negotiation, and service delivery leadership. Throughout my career, I have leveraged my leadership and technical expertise by leading teams through revenue and profit improvement initiatives and implementing innovative solutions for healthcare clients. My leadership, spanning from evaluating and leading global accounts to managing large service delivery teams, Illustrates my commitment to excellence in healthcare and information technology.
Industry & Type Expertise
Healthcare Provider Software Solutions and IT Services Life Science Supply Chain Solutions and IT Services Healthcare Payor Claims Processing/Billing Solutions and IT Services Telecommunications Billing Solutions and IT Services
Mastery and Unique Skills
Strategic Business Planning and Execution Operational Efficiency Client and Customer Relationship Management Organic Business Growth
Renée is a customer-centric operating executive with over 25 years of experience driving profitable growth, enterprise value, and go-to-market scale. Her leadership spans multiple industries and Fortune 100 companies, where she’s recognized for creating value across product marketing, solution and services sales, global operations, and M&A. As a trusted advisor to public and private companies, she helps shape growth strategies, AI adoption, digital-first transformation, and acquisition roadmaps. A former CIO, Renée brings a unique dual perspective—understanding both the customer and solution provider sides of the business. In revenue leadership roles, she has built and led high-performing teams—large and small—delivering industry-leading results in new logo acquisition, customer retention, and success. She is frequently engaged with Fortune 500 C-suites and boards influencing investment strategies and decisions. Her ability to align sales and marketing with operational strategy scales seamlessly across complex, matrixed global organizations delivering measurable business value. Talent development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion are central to her leadership approach. Renée currently serves as an Operating Partner at Orchid Black, a boutique firm focused on accelerating enterprise value. She is also engaged with Private Equity firms advising on acquisition targets and due diligence. At Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), she served as General Manager and Vice President of Americas Business Applications ($1.6B), where she led 40% YoY recurring revenue growth. At Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPE), she applied her sales and operating strengths to lead HPE’s Global Customer Experience Centers, influencing $29B in annual presales, following her role leading Global Sales Operations for HPE Software ($4B). Notably, she was the lead executive on the $1B JD Edwards acquisition into PeopleSoft ($2B) and later led key acquisitions at HPE—including ArcSight, Fortify, and TippingPoint establishing HPE’s $1B Enterprise Security business. Renée brings robust boardroom experience. She serves on the Board of Directors for OARO, a global identity and access management company, chairing its HR and Compensation Committee. At Dominican University of California, she chaired the Governance and Finance & Investment Committees, helping the institution adopt a more business-oriented strategy, identify new revenue streams in partnership with the tech community, and mitigate pandemic-related financial risks. She also led the modernization of the university's decades-old by-laws. A dynamic change agent, Renée is known for assembling high-impact teams, tackling complex challenges, and driving measurable outcomes. She leads with authenticity and transparency, making her particularly effective in navigating ambiguity and leading through transformation—critical traits for public boards and executive teams alike. Renée is a recognized thought leader and speaker, having presented at Microsoft Ignite, Dreamforce, Oracle OpenWorld, Apttus Accelerate, and the Austin Women’s Tech Conference. She is listed among the Top Sales Leadership Speakers and is a dedicated advocate and mentor for young women pursuing careers in technology and leadership
Industry & Type Expertise
Enterprise & SMB Enterprise Software - SaaS, AI Channel Strategy & Management High Tech, Retail/Retail Tech, Retail Banking Professional Services
Mastery and Unique Skills
GTM Strategy & Execution Global Operations & RevOps Enterprise & SMB Solution Sales Leadership Development, Org Constructs Storytelling & Design Thinking Mergers & Acquisitions, Merger Integration
I am a visionary, performance-driven strategist with over 30 years of executive leadership and venture capital consulting experience across software and technology-enabled service organizations. With a hands-on leadership approach, high energy, and exceptional skills in critical thinking and creative problem-solving, I excel at building and inspiring high-performance teams to tackle complex organizational challenges. My track record spans from steering high growth environments to managing turnaround situations in both early-stage, venture-backed software startups and Fortune 100 companies. My expertise is deeply rooted in identifying and achieving product-market fit, harnessing the voice of the customer for strategic insights, and crafting effective channel strategies to maximize market penetration. I have a proven ability in enterprise sales, fostering a solution provider ecosystem that enhances value delivery, and adept deal making that ensures sustainable growth. My approach to governance and due diligence ensures operational integrity and risk mitigation. As a storyteller, I articulate vision and strategy compellingly, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience. I prioritize team building and leadership development, creating cohesive units that excel in execution and adaptability. Specializing in growth strategy development, I focus on demand/category creation, leveraging my comprehensive skill set to drive organizational success.
Industry & Type Expertise
Enterprise & SMB HiTech Professional Services Enterprise Software
Mastery and Unique Skills
Product Market Fit Voice Of Customer Channel Strategy Enterprise Sales Solution Provider Ecosystem Deal Making/construction Governance/due Diligence Story Telling Team Building
I am a seasoned senior operations executive with extensive leadership experience across SaaS and technology services sectors. My expertise lies in spearheading strategic initiatives and tactical operations to foster organizational growth and efficiency. A proven high-performance team builder, I excel in the acquisition and retention of top talent, strategically aligning human resources with business goals to drive substantial outcomes. My professional journey is distinguished by a robust track record in crafting and executing operational improvements and process innovations aimed at enhancing efficiency and scalability. These initiatives have consistently resulted in significant advancements in operational capabilities and competitive positioning. My skill set encompasses a broad spectrum of areas critical to organizational success, including business and finance transformation, channel strategy & management, and distribution. My experience in mergers & acquisitions extends to both the buy-side and comprehensive IT due diligence, underscoring my versatility and strategic depth in navigating complex corporate landscapes. Additionally, my capabilities in operations management, product management, and sales strategy have been pivotal in driving forward company objectives. I have successfully led ERP implementations and merger integrations, projects that demonstrate my ability to manage change and integrate advanced technological solutions effectively. This combination of strategic foresight, operational expertise, and leadership acumen positions me as a dynamic executive capable of steering technology-focused companies through periods of growth and transformation. This diverse toolkit of skills and experiences makes me a versatile and strategic leader, adept at guiding technology-focused companies through growth and change, always with an eye toward the future.
Industry & Type Expertise
Enterprise & SMB Enterprise Software Professional Services Media & Entertainment
Mastery and Unique Skills
Business/Finance Transformation Channel Strategy & Management Distribution Mergers & Acquisitions Operations Product Management Sales Erp Implementations Buyside M&A IT Due Diligence Merger Integration