What do capital raising consultants do?

Capital raising consultants help businesses develop fundraising strategies, prepare for investors or lenders, identify potential sources of capital, and navigate the financing process.

When should a CEO hire a capital raising consultant?

Ideally, before capital is urgently needed. Early preparation gives the company time to strengthen its financials, evaluate financing options, and develop a clear fundraising strategy.

What should I look for in a capital raising consultant?

Look for relevant experience, senior financial expertise, investor relationships, strong corporate finance knowledge, transparent fees, and a willingness to challenge your assumptions.

Can a fractional CFO help with capital raising?

Yes. A fractional CFO can help with financial forecasting, investor readiness, capital strategy, due diligence, and communication with investors and lenders.

Is capital raising consulting only for companies seeking equity?

No. Capital raising consulting can support companies evaluating debt, equity, or a combination of financing options. The appropriate structure depends on the company's goals, financial position, and long-term strategy.

What key deliverables should a CEO expect from a fractional CFO before fundraising?

A fractional CFO should provide 12–24 months of audit-ready GAAP financials, a defensible three-statement financial model with sensitivity scenarios, documented core unit economics (MRR, CAC, LTV, NRR), a fully organized virtual data room, and structured board presentation packages.

How far in advance of a fundraise should you engage a fractional CFO?

You should engage a fractional CFO 6 to 12 months before pitching investors. This timeline provides sufficient runway to clean up historical statements, establish proper GAAP revenue recognition, optimize burn rate, and build a stress-tested financial narrative.

How does a fractional CFO prepare a company for investor due diligence?

A fractional CFO prepares for due diligence by building a pre-organized virtual data room, verifying cap table accuracy, auditing tax and financial compliance, and modeling dilution scenarios so investor reviews proceed without delays or surprises.

What is the difference between an accountant and a fractional CFO during a capital raise?

An accountant focuses on historical compliance, book closing, and tax filings. A fractional CFO delivers forward-looking strategic leadership—building growth models, evaluating debt vs. equity capital options, presenting financial strategy to the board, and defending unit economics to prospective investors.

How does a fractional CFO help extend cash runway before a raise?

A fractional CFO calculates precise monthly net burn, maps out capital allocation tied to operational milestones, and models base, upside, and downside cash scenarios. This enables CEOs to enter fundraising negotiations with comfortable runway rather than raising out of cash urgency.

Al Vanleeuwen Bio

Raising Capital

Mastering the art of attracting investment to fuel growth.

Finance & Growth Strategy

Crafting innovative strategies that align financial goals with business objectives.

Corporate Restructuring

Streamlining operations and optimizing financial performance for sustainable success.

Multinational Finance

Navigating the complexities of global finance with confidence.

Financial Reporting & Process Implementation

Establishing clear reporting frameworks and efficient processes that enhance decision-making.

Raising Capital

Mastering the art of attracting investment to fuel growth.

Finance & Growth Strategy

Crafting innovative strategies that align financial goals with business objectives.

Corporate Restructuring

Streamlining operations and optimizing financial performance for sustainable success.

Multinational Finance

Navigating the complexities of global finance with confidence.

Financial Reporting & Process Implementation

Establishing clear reporting frameworks and efficient processes that enhance decision-making.

Al VanLeeuwen has been the CFO and a Vice President of Operations for several companies. As part of each management team, Al has helped each organization grow and increase in profitability, with many of these companies being sold to new equity owners.

Al has significant experience with global manufacturing, including successfully coordinating intercompany pricing strategies between manufacturing plants in Germany, England, Canada, and the United States; implementing an ERP system across six manufacturing plants in the US and Canada; improving inventory management and control to decrease inventory investment and increase turnover, and more.

Al’s experience includes over 23 successful buy, sell, & equity transactions with companies ranging from $12 million to $400 million in annual revenues. His industry experience includes IoT (Internet of Things), hardware distribution, design and manufacturing of electronics, food manufacturing and distribution, home health and hospice, transportation dealerships, and flexible packaging industries.

Fractional CFO presenting corporate finance strategy to business executives

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Al Vanleeuwen

Wes's Key Strengths

Raising Capital

Finance & Growth Strategy

Corporate Restructuring

Multinational Finance

Financial Reporting & Process Implementation

Wes's Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Wes's Key Strengths

Raising Capital

Finance & Growth Strategy

Corporate Restructuring

Multinational Finance

Financial Reporting & Process Implementation

Industry Experience

Areas of Expertise

Notable Achievements

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