About Us
Building a great business is hard — you don’t have to do it alone.
At Ayuda Ventures, we believe meaningful businesses start with the people behind them. Doug Hanson founded Ayuda to provide experienced, hands-on support — helping leaders navigate complexity, make confident decisions, and build with lasting impact.
Doug’s journey began in graduate school, where he advised entrepreneurs at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). It was there that he first discovered how fulfilling it was to help business owners navigate challenges and find new opportunities. That early spark of purpose grew into a 25+ year career leading operations, growth, and strategy at both early-stage startups and global companies like Amazon, Grubhub, and Microsoft.
Through it all, Doug’s passion has remained consistent: helping the people behind the business — not just the business itself. He understands the pressure leaders face when scaling without the right support — the uncertainty, the long hours, and the weight of every decision. That’s why Ayuda was created: to close the gap between vision and execution with practical guidance, strategic clarity, and hands-on help where it matters most.
At Ayuda Ventures, we don’t just advise — we partner. Whether you're improving operations, navigating a transition, or exploring new growth opportunities, we work alongside you to move your business forward. Our mission is simple: to help you build what matters, and do it with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
