Empowering Colorado Trade Businesses
Our Expertise
Ground Up Enterprises (GUE) is dedicated to helping Colorado trade business owners transition their companies to employee ownership. With a focus on preserving business legacies and promoting long-term success, we specialize in valuation, deal structuring, tax-free capital gains through ESOPs, and financing solutions. Our tailored services make the complex transition process straightforward and supportive for both owners and employee-owners.
Our Philosophy
Rewarding Ownership
At Ground Up Enterprises, our philosophy centers around promoting local ownership, rewarding employees, and ensuring the long-term success of employee-owned businesses. We are committed to continuous improvement and strategic partnerships that lead to sustainable success.
At Ground Up Enterprises, our mission is to empower Colorado trade business owners by providing strategic guidance in transitioning their companies to employee ownership. We aim to maximize their potential and facilitate growth through our specialized services, ensuring local ownership and rewarding employees.
Team
Meet Our Experts
Matthew Mayer
Mr. Mayer is the co-founder of Ground Up Enterprises, where he helps guide the acquisition and long-term development of established trades and manufacturing companies in Colorado. His career spans building and scaling organizations in regulated and technical industries, from early-stage ventures to major national firms.​Before launching Ground Up Enterprises, he co-founded Helios Medical, a remote physiologic monitoring advisory and services group serving healthcare providers and health systems. He later sold the company to Diasante in 2024. He also led AVEX LLC as co-founder and CEO, overseeing the development of FOOTBEAT, an active compression technology designed to support lower-extremity circulation. Earlier in his career, he served as President and CEO of SMR, a software and utility data management company, and began his professional path at McKinsey and Company, advising growth-stage firms on strategy and operations.​Mr. Mayer holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and earned bachelor’s degrees in Business and History from the University of Colorado.
Ken
Palmer
Mr. Palmer brings more than three decades of experience providing tax, valuation, and strategic business advisory services to entrepreneurs, investors, and established companies. With a Master of Science in Taxation and advanced credentials in business valuation, he offers a strong technical foundation combined with practical insight that helps clients make confident financial decisions. Ken works closely with business owners and individuals to address complex tax matters, entity structuring, succession planning, and wealth preservation. He becomes a trusted member of each client’s advisory team, aligning financial strategies with long term business and personal goals. His experience includes guiding mergers, acquisitions, and liquidations, as well as developing effective strategies for real estate investment and growth.He has served as Chief Financial Officer of a technology company, provided expert testimony in court, and taught at the college level. Known for his integrity and steady counsel, Ken helps clients reduce risk, improve performance, and protect their net worth. He and his wife, Deborah, have five children and are active in their community
Matthew Breman
Mr. Breman is the co-founder of Ground Up Enterprises, where he works closely with business owners and employee teams to strengthen operations and support sustainable growth during and after transition. With more than twenty-five years of experience in operations, marketing, and organizational leadership, he brings a practical approach to helping companies improve performance and unlock new opportunities.​His background includes founding a marketing agency recognized for creative excellence and later leading strategic growth efforts for a geospatial technology company as it expanded and matured into a publicly traded organization. He has also consulted with well-known global brands, including MTV/Nickelodeon, Disney Resorts, and Microsoft, focusing on programs that connect strategy, execution, and team engagement. His work centers on aligning people and process to build durable systems that support revenue growth and stronger employee ownership.​Mr. Breman holds an MBA with concentrations in international finance and marketing from the Crummer Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre from the University of South Florida.