What makes Team WINDO special?
- We have conducted business in over a dozen countries on 4 continents, including: India, China, Singapore, Sweden, Germany, Jordan, Qatar, Australia and Mexico
- We have conducted business in all 50 US States
- Our past clients include an array of Fortune 500 companies (Amazon.com, Walmart, Black & Decker, and Home Depot) and foreign heads of state (King Abdullah of Jordan)
- Our business backgrounds are diverse, with involvement in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Finance, Law, and Marketing
What's our business experience in India?
• Infrastructure - We have been operating several businesses in India since 2008. Effioa Capital LLC and its various subsidiaries have built multiple types of infrastructure across several states in India. Including: secondary roads, telecom towers, water pumping stations, and power transmission towers.
• Renewable energy - We assisted Husk Power Systems (HPS), a leader in clean renewable energy, to build some of there early prototypes. HPS is now one of a few companies that is part of a White House initiative called Power Africa.
• Approved vendor status to the Indian Government in Bihar - We have successfully completed Government water projects in Bihar, arguably the toughest state to operate within India.
• Agriculture - We started India's largest mint farm of 250 acres which has now grown into a 1000 acre co-op where we implement modern farming practices that most of India has never seen.
Ron Lazarus, Co-Founder
Ron has led several successful businesses over the past 35 years. Prior to co-founding Windo Global Partners, Ron has been President of a Global Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm manufacturer for 17 years, which had 2 factories in China (Shenzhen and Fujian). Ron has conducted business in China, North America, Western Europe, Australia, Sweden, and India.
Ron spearheaded the introduction of revolutionary new Smoke and Carbon Monoxide technologies, and the company was awarded 11 patents. In 2007 the company was ranked 56th fastest growing Public Small Business in the Forbes Small Business Top 100 and was ranked 90th fastest in 2006. In 2005 the company was awarded the Home Depot Supply partner of the year and was listed on the American Stock Exchange in 2003.
From 1984 – 1999 Ron was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Invensys PLC, Coleman, and Seatt (Firex Brand Name).
In 2008 his partner (and son) Ryan along with his business partner in India cofounded Effioa Capital LLC. The initial business focused on India’s Infrastructure and the construction of cellular towers. Effioa performed work for Idea Telecom, Vodafone, Indus Towers, and built towers in several states in India (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar).
Effioa’s subsidiary (Amrikol Towers Private Ltd.) became an approved supplier to the Indian Government in Bihar and has also built 3 water holding tanks and pumping stations. Through a joint project with Husk Power Systems (A renewable energy company), Amrikol initiated a partnering program with Sumer Group of Mumbai.
In 2011, Effioa created India's largest private mint farm (200 Acres) in South Western Bihar and has since grown to a 1700 acre cooperative model. Effioa installed irrigation systems and the largest privately owned distillation facility. The mint farm led to the development of a nationwide network of farmers and traders and in 2012 launched a 100% FDI Cash and Carry investment platform, in agro commodities futures.
Ron is currently a Board member for Global Midwest Alliance (Since 2012) and the US-India Chamber of Commerce - Midwest (Since 2011). He was a Board member for Eyston, the smoke and carbon monoxide manufacturing partner in China for 14 years.
Ron received a MBA and B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Major in Marketing from the New York Institute of Technology
Jeff Van Winkle, Co-Founder
Jeff advises midsize businesses seeking to expand and grow in any corner of the earth. For more than 25 years he has, as a lawyer, represented businesses both in the United States and elsewhere to establish new locations in foreign jurisdictions. As a business advisor, Jeff seeks to understand the goals of the business or entrepreneur and then helps to craft a comprehensive strategy to into new markets and legal jurisdictions.
Jeff’s has deep knowledge about conducting business across international boundaries. His advisory skills bring together economic development, business fundamentals, legal expertise and cultural comprehension to assist businesses and entrepreneurs in crafting and executing on expansion plans.
Jeff began his professional career as a lawyer in West Michigan. Since 1998 he has worked with international networks to build a broad base of contact and knowledge he uses to guide businesses. Jeff has worked with businesses headquartered in Spain, Germany, Poland, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands to establish business activities in Asia, Europe and North America. His industry experience includes distribution, specialty manufacturing, business services and consumer goods.
Jeff has been active with trade associations and other organizations developing business opportunities. He is a past board member and chairperson of the National Small Business Association and the Small Business Association of Michigan. As Chairperson of the NSBA, Jeff vigorously promoted business opportunities and established connections throughout the United States and in foreign jurisdictions as well. Jeff is also active with the Dutch American Chamber of Commerce based out of Chicago and Amsterdam.
Jeff has also advised academic institutions pursuing the development of new programs and campuses in India. He has assisted small medical device companies originally located in India and Spain pursue product development and distribution South America and Asia. And he has supported businesses involved in agricultural specialty products pursue markets in underdeveloped economies.
Working with an experienced team, Jeff adds deep resources for growth oriented businesses.
Jeff grew up with roots in Chicago, Illinois, with his youth spent in Hawaii, and followed by college and law school in Michigan. He is a graduate of Calvin College and the University of Michigan Law School. Professionally, Jeff is located in Michigan and Chicago. Personally, Jeff travels widely to experience people, culture and the natural environs.
Ryan Lazarus, Co-Founder
Ryan was finishing his last semester of film school in 2008 when an incredible business opportunity in India fell into his lap. He decided to put filmmaking on hold to start a business that could provide desperately needed infrastructure in India and possibly fund his film career in the future. He Co-Founded Effioa Capital LLC with his father Ron and with his business partner in India, Rahul Tiwary. Over the past 7 years Ryan has spent about 7 months in India where he oversees construction sites and builds key business relationships.
In Chicago, Ryan focuses on business development. Over the past few years Ryan has become deeply involved in Chicago's startup world where he is known as the “India Guy”. He searches for promising startups and medium-sized businesses who have products and services that would be a perfect fit in India. Ryan utilizes his diverse and powerful network to help clients to achieve their desired expansion.
Ryan has a strong civic involvement in Chicago as well. He is the Chairman of Board Development for Ryan Banks Academy, which is building Chicago’s first boarding school for the underprivileged. He is also part of the Ambassador programs for two of Chicago’s most prominent civic organizations, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Chicago Community Trust.
In his spare time he enjoys running, cycling, and comedic writing. But not all at the same time. That would be dangerous.
Sumit Mehta, Co-Founder
Sumit's approach begins with a consultative process to explore client objectives and continues with a collaborative effort to produce a customized plan for implementation. Understanding that every situation is distinct, Sumit’s knowledge and experience allow for impactful conversations and solutions across a variety of scenarios.
Sumit spent nearly two decades in financial capital markets across sales, business development, management, research, analysis, valuation, strategy, capital introduction, institutional-level relationship management, wealth advisory, investment planning and operational consulting in domestic and overseas markets.
Sumit’s past experience includes: Financial Advisor, J.P. Morgan Securities, Director of Business Development, DiMeo Schneider and Associates; Founder and Managing Partner, Emerald Ventures; Head of Midwest Sales and Trading, Susquehanna Financial Group, Director of Institutional Equity Sales, UBS Investment Bank; and Equity Research Analyst, Raymond James Financial.
Sumit earned a B.A. in Economics with Honors from the University of Texas and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He currently resides in San Francisco.