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.

Curtis Bigelow Bio

Curtis Bigelow is an experienced finance professional with 20 years of finance experience. He has worked with a number of companies in a variety of industries, including SaaS, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Curtis has a unique blend of financial, operational, and managerial expertise that lends him well to high-level, forward-thinking financial strategy, including data modeling, financial forecasting, cash management, budgeting, reporting, debt and equity financing, and financial analysis.

In addition to his high level of strategic finance experience, Curtis also has significant systems experience, supervising ERP/billing systems implementations and optimization as well as managing the adoption and application of new technology, network infrastructure, and financial systems.

Fractional CFO presenting corporate finance strategy to business executives

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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

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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.

Accounting

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$CEO meets with a fractional CFO and their team from Preferred CFO$

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$Interiewing a fractional CFO and hiring from Preferred CFO$

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Curtis Bigelow

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