DOUGLAS | founder & principal
Douglas Aaring is an entrepreneur, investor, and business transition strategist who helps owners preserve their legacy while unlocking the next stage of growth.
Raised in a corporate family, Douglas purchased and operated his first business at an early age. Over nearly four decades, he’s worked across multiple sectors — from small enterprises to international corporations such as Roland Music and Roland DG Corp — building a reputation as the guy who gets it done.
Today, through MetaWork Design, Douglas focuses on acquiring and partnering with established, owner-led businesses — particularly those looking for a safe pair of hands to continue what they’ve built. His Partnering for Equity approach gives founders options beyond an outright sale, enabling them to step back gradually, retain value, and see their team and customers thrive.
Known for his results-oriented leadership and genuine integrity, Douglas brings clarity, empathy, and action to every deal he’s part of. Beneath his relaxed exterior is a relentless drive to help businesses grow stronger, people work smarter, and legacies live on.
CARL | senior venture consultant
Carl Allen is an entrepreneur, investor, and corporate dealmaker. Carl has worked on transactions worth over $50 billion, which includes over 250 acquisitions and sales, together with more than 100 capital fund raising projects. In a 24-year career, Carl has analyzed thousands of businesses, big and small, in 17 different countries and across nearly every business sector, including technology, transport and logistics, engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, consumer goods and services, business services, retail, professional services, finance, packaging, and corporate clothing.
Carl has a solid reputation as an investor and corporate dealmaker, having worked for Bank of America, Hewlett-Packard, Forrester, and Gartner. Carl walks the talk, having acquired and sold numerous businesses for himself.