Earlier this week, we sat down with Ryan DiBrito, a Groover Labs member since March 2021 and owner of the consulting firm, Dynamic Acumen (da7). Ryan shared his background in venture capital, finance and entrepreneurship. We also discussed da7, his first year in Wichita, and Stanley Tucci.
We have several early-stage tech startups at Groover Labs. Talk about your background working in the startup community.
Before launching da7, I spent 15 years with Technology Venture Partners, a Minneapolis-based venture capital firm. I started as an intern and was fortunate to work in the many facets of venture capital and company development from founding through exit. da7 has really been an extension of that experience set – helping companies on day-to-day operations, strategy and execution.
Fifteen years feels like a lifetime. You must have enjoyed it?
I really did. I had the opportunity to learn and work with tremendous individuals in participatory environments and develop professionally alongside a portfolio of companies. We went through business and economic cycles together with perseverance and partnership being constants.
Talk about your consulting firm, Dynamic Acumen (da7)
da7 provides financial and strategic consulting to companies of all stages – from start-up to large company. Scope of engagements are tailored to specific company needs and include both tactical objectives and strategy execution. It really comes down to being a value-add part of the team in a company’s development and success.
What are some of the most important things you learned along the way and how do you bring them to da7 and your (potential) clients?
I think it is a blend of grounded perspective, communication and aiming high. Working through the business and economic cycles in the 2000s really cultivated my understanding of how companies successfully work through the ups and downs. Open communication with stakeholders is also foundational no matter the task at hand. Macroeconomic, industry and competitive forces create opportunity – aiming high and being flexible allows companies to capitalize.
Investors talk a lot about communication. So what happens if you have a communication breakdown?
It provides a great opportunity to positively engage. Gaps close, relationships grow and synapses on company direction form by reaching out, asking questions and stimulating discussion.
Reading through your website, you list precepts that guide your consulting philosophy. First on the list is this: “Ambiguity creates innovation and value creation.” What do you mean?
Success is never a straight line up and to the right but that is the energizing and fun part. It does not matter if you are launching a company, working through a strategic pivot or evaluating organic growth versus investment. Be strong in your market perspective and product mission because that will drive revenue growth and gross margin expansion. Embracing and working through that ambiguity is what leads to compelling business plans and complete financial models.
Be strong in your market perspective and product mission. Those are powerful words.
For sure – a consistent and thoughtful business model along with a sound financial plan are certainly essential. Ultimately, things change along the way and rarely go 100% to plan – just keep moving forward with those anchor tenets in place.
And that brings us back to working with people over working with companies?
Lean in on that interpersonal piece – I cannot emphasize this enough. Be a good partner. Whatever you’re working on or working through – be a good partner.
What’s your favorite part of working with early-stage companies?
Both the challenge and opportunity while making meaningful contributions along the way. Navigating the early-stage, executing on growth and positioning for exit are monumental tasks to say the least. Being involved early and seeing teams succeed is simply awesome from my vantage.
“Meaningful” is another powerful word.
Be willing to wear multiple hats and take on a task outside of or adjacent to your background – it is all part of working with high character, high integrity individuals and succeeding as a team.
At what point should an early-stage startup reach out to you?
You have a sound idea. You think there’s an opportunity to be successful. You want to take the next step. Congrats, Sky’s the Limit! Reach out and no strings – happy to schedule a call or grab a coffee.
We talk a lot about execution at Groover Labs. It’s easy to have ideas. It’s harder to execute them. How do you execute?
It really goes back to that resolute market perspective, product mission and business model. Let those elements define how to grow the team, what the capital needs are and 12-24 month deliverables. Capital strategy – how much, when and structure – are a derivative of those elements.
What else should the community know about Dynamic Acumen?
I’ve talked a lot about start-ups, but you don’t have to be a start-up. Happy to connect, dialogue and support local leaders and companies of all backgrounds and stages.
You’re not from Wichita. What brought you here?
My wife, Samantha, is from the area originally. We made the move at the right time and for all the right reasons – family, friends and community. Learned a lot in this short time and have to say we could not be more enthusiastic about the Wichita area and are incredibly excited about our future here.
What are you watching/reading right now?
Stanley Tucci’s cooking show and enjoying his book as well. I studied in Italy as a graduate student so fun to watch and love to cook. That and Obi-wan Kenobi.
You have young children. What local attractions have you been visiting?
Everything! The Zoo. Tanganyika. Exploration Place. Parks. All the family-centric places around town are really excellent. It’s been great getting to know Wichita and staying active as a family.
Please feel free to contact Ryan at rdibrito@dynamicacumen.com or via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ryan-dibrito-184448187