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81 B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Top: Opus Consulting Group, based in Portland, has assisted over 120 New England companies and consulted with clients from Hawaii to Switzerland. Bottom: Opus works as an extension of its client's management team, bringing new insights that help improve financial, operational and strategic performance. Opus provides operational assistance as project manager and supports startup clients with project budgeting and management oversight. Often serving as conduit among lenders, investors and entrepreneurs, Opus provides financial institutions the oversight and expertise needed to move projects forward and close on time. Recent projects include overseeing the launch of Elsmere BBQ's second restaurant in the Deering Center neighborhood of Portland, and a project adjacent to the redevelopment of the Scarborough Downs property that involves traditional bank and SBA financing. Strategic performance: Opus specializes in creating strategic plans to address rapidly changing consumer markets and technologies. e firm's planning is backed with strong financial modeling and decades of in-depth strategic experience. Business plans and their financial models constitute the blueprint of any company's growth. So, it is vital to have proven, experienced professionals evaluating and producing a well-defined success formula. Opus is very active in in the local development community having worked on projects such as the Press Hotel and a local waterfront project as finance manager. Opus is also known for its work from the ground up with companies such as Wellness Connection of Maine, which has five locations and today employs over 70 Mainers. As strategic advisor, Opus helped launched a strong and sustainable platform that ensured the company's success. Opus also works with young companies and startups to develop their initial business and commercialization plans. One area most entrepreneurs lack is being able to commercialize their business concept and take the big leap to market. Opus is there to help them with their business strategy. e team is involved with Startup Maine, helping build the Maine entrepreneurial eco-system. As part of its practices, Opus incubates numerous affiliated companies serving as management and trusted partner. With that assistance, a technology company operating out of the Opus office recently secured $500,000 in seed-stage funding. A multidisciplinary team e Opus Consulting Group methodology is unique in that it employs a cross-functional approach to ensure recommenda- tions are exhaustive and transcend disciplines. e team has a mix of successful professionals with years of experience leading both private and public companies as well as finance, marketing and project management specialists. Client engagements are customizable and always utilize a team approach to provide the full breadth of services Opus can offer. For the past decade, the Opus team has built a premier busi- ness performance consulting practice for Maine companies, and is committed to supporting the economic fabric of our state. In working with companies through various stages of development, the team is constantly developing ways to transform, innovate and accelerate, at the intersection of finance, operations and strategy. Opus Ventures: a hybrid VC firm Opus is always looking for the next opportunity to provide more specialized services to clients. Most recently, Opus launched Opus Ventures, an exciting project that pairs venture capital with management consulting oversight. e team is currently forming the venture fund that is aiming at growing the Maine economy. Opus Ventures recently announced the formation of the Western Maine Venture Fund in partnership with Skowhegan Savings Bank, the first of its kind. e Western Maine Venture fund will focus on VC opportunities in Central and Western Maine. Opus Ventures focuses on startups in the industries of alternative healthcare, high technology, manufacturing, biotech- nology, financial services and emerging industries. With its roots in performance management, helping companies pivot and commercialize in new ways, in addition to financing, Opus Ventures provides startups with the business acumen and services that are key to their success. Opus has proven through its work with existing clients that a collaborative approach is more effective. It enables Opus to create better-aligned teams that adapt to changes more quickly, offering an approach to venture capital that sees clients and investments as partners in building success. l P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O P U S C O N S U L T I N G G R O U P " Jacques served as CFO and led the strategic vision for Wellness Connection of Maine. He helped grow the company from business plan to operating in six locations and employing over 70 Mainers. " — Board Member, Wellness Connection of Maine

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