Changing the way agencies grow
AVA is an agency aggregator. We take a people-centric approach to acquiring, supporting, and scaling digital agencies. AVA partners with investors and agency founders to grow and create immediate and long-term value.
AVA’S approach to agency acquisition
A new type of holding company
Our bespoke approach helps agencies maximize their years of effort.
Programmatic M&A provides fuel, and programmatic scaling delivers results. AVA deploys the pioneering 2Y3X program to drive fast growth across all agencies that join AVA. 2Y3X has a seven-year track record of successfully doubling or tripling agency revenue.
Agency founders have flexible choices. They can stay in place, leave, re-specialize, or move up into AVA’s Group Management.
This approach means AVA can move faster than most – and deliver stunning results.
AVA focuses on fostering a people-centric culture
Success depends upon nurturing our best and brightest — from visionary leaders to up-and-coming talent.
Our team has decades of experience with big agency networks. We know firsthand that an agency’s people are its greatest asset. The command-and-control model of the 20th century cannot sustain a strong, successful team.
Our co-founder, Felix Velarde, developed the 2Y3X process to empower the next generation of talent to create the greatest version of their agency. Two years to triple revenue (2Y3X) is a bold idea but backed by proven results. We provide the framework, tools, and coaching to help your team deliver the changes necessary to scale.
One size doesn’t fit all
Because every agency is built differently, our people-centric and programmatic approach offers custom-tailored strategies to nurture each agency’s most remarkable attributes and people.
AVA’s investment opportunities are no different. We offer investors a flexible range of bespoke options with favorable returns.
Highway to high growth
Culture is the heart of stellar performance. When we look at acquisition opportunities, our first lens is culture. Our steadfast rule? We only invest in agencies that care about the way things get done.
Our highway to high growth offers two paths — one for agencies looking to be acquired, and one for investors looking to buy an agency.
Meet your team
With decades of experience, AVA’s team comprises industry super-specialists dedicated to delivering exceptional results and a positive impact on your agency.
“Our focus is on people, on culture, on scaling from the bottom up — on building an agency group with the people who represent the future of digital, instead of relying on outdated models that belong in the past.”
— Peter Lang
Peter is an entrepreneur, advisor, investor, and philanthropist. He has more than 11 years of experience starting, building, buying, and selling companies in online publishing, media, advertising, e-commerce, training, and consulting. Peter is the creator of the leading agency M&A training program DAB.
Prior to joining AVA, Peter co-founded Uhuru Network, growing the group 500% in two years.
“As a serial entrepreneur and founder myself, I want to work with partners & agencies who share AVA’s values of integrity, trust and ambition. We’re going to build something amazing.”
— Tom Shipley
Tom has over 20 years of experience launching and scaling brands and omni-digital, multi-brand platforms. His brands have sold over $2 billion through D2C marketing, Amazon, and retailers including Costco, Ulta, CVS, Nordstrom, HSN, and more.
Prior to joining AVA, Tom raised $100 million to launch Foundry, the Amazon and e-commerce brand aggregator.
“Life’s too short to work with people you don’t like. Be authentic, be bold — and build something amazing.”
— Felix Velarde
Felix Velarde is a serial digital pioneer who started the first of six agencies in 1994. After three years as an agency group CEO, he became the UK lead for Mei Lin Fung and Vint Cerf’s People-Centered Internet coalition.
In 2016, he founded the 2Y3X program which now reaches Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. In 2021, the manual for the program, Scale at Speed: How to Triple the Size of Your Business and Build a Superstar Team, was published worldwide by Hachette.
Brand, operations, and marketing executive, with 25+ years of experience leading agency and corporate teams to develop and implement strategic growth and marketing programs to increase brand awareness, drive acquisition, and retention for brands like Qualcomm, Lexus, GE Ventures, Caesars, UPS, and Trimble. Agency CEO (The Collective Experience), President and CEO (MCX Technologies, publicly-traded: TSX/OTC), EVP Strategy and Global Marketing (Kalibrate).
Tony Atkins manages AVA’s extensive outreach program. With hands-on responsibility for acquisitions, he looks after founders from first contact all the way through a deal.
Tony was the founder of CixxFive, a digital marketing agency based in Dallas, Texas, which was acquired by Uhuru in 2020.
Tom Shipley
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
Peter Lang
Co-founder & Group M&A
Felix Velarde
Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer
For investors, by investors
As experienced founders and investors, AVA understands both sides of the deal. Our dedication to agencies — their founders and their people — means we take a unique approach to investing.
Our extensive experience in the agency world allows us to understand that a successful investment and acquisition is about more than just the numbers. It’s about ensuring growth and success after the deal is done.
In the news and around the world
- September 7, 2022
- By AVA Acquistions
- July 14, 2022
- By AVA Acquistions
- July 10, 2022
- By AVA Acquistions
