Resources

An overview of a 2006 M&A crisis, where a pioneering tech company’s $100 million acquisition was jeopardized when its financial foundations were revealed to be nonexistent. David Johnson was brought in as a crisis CFO, diagnosed a catastrophic failure in accounting practices, led a heroic effort to rebuild the company’s finances from the ground up, and ultimately salvaged the deal—though at a cost of $25 million. It serves as a stark warning to startups and investors about the non-negotiable need for robust financial controls.

Imagine a world where AI doesn’t just think—it thinks at the speed of light. That’s the promise behind Celestial AI, a Silicon Valley startup that’s redefining how AI hardware communicates. In March 2025, the company secured $250 million in Series C1 funding at a $2.5 billion valuation, not for another AI model or chatbot, but for something far more foundational: the invisible highways that shuttle data between chips.

MOLG Inc., an innovative company based in Chantilly, VA, is at the forefront of improving consumer electronics battery recycling. Their mission is to create a circular recycling system that reduces the costs of recycling high-demand items like laptops and batteries. In March 2024, MOLG closed a successful seed funding round and secured a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection Funding Opportunity (DE-FOA-0002897). This funding is part of a larger $125 million program aimed at enhancing battery recycling efforts across the United States.

In February 2023, GE HealthCare completed its acquisition of Caption Health, an innovative healthcare company specializing in AI-powered ultrasound imaging solutions. The acquisition marked a significant milestone for both companies and presented numerous challenges and opportunities. It also stands in time as one of Rooled’s biggest and most delightful surprises… because you know accountants love surprises!

Rooled is a leading financial consulting and outsourcing firm dedicated to empowering businesses with scalable financial solutions and expertise. Our services encompass a wide range of financial disciplines, designed to support companies at every stage of their growth journey. As financial partners, we specialize in helping businesses achieve financial stability, compliance, and informed decision-making. In this case study, we delve into our successful partnership with Platzi, an innovative online education platform.