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.

Fred Pattin Bio

Fred Pattin is an exceptional finance leader with over 20 years finance experience. He excels in delivering business performance solutions and leveraging technology to strengthen organizations.

He has a proven record of leading business success by delivering business performance solutions, establishing process re-engineering for data and analytics-focused strategies, performing overhead cost studies, leading technology solutions including ERP/BI/CRM implementations, and developing a more forward-facing and business intelligence focused company culture.

Fred’s experience includes leading the efforts on a SaaS/Subscription migration for a $3.2B revenue global technology company, facilitating multiple successful mergers and acquisitions, driving a forward-facing finance and business culture in a majority-owned subsidiary of Hasbro, completing a successful turnaround for a $600M food production company, and implementing several transformative technology solutions including multiple ERPs and Business Intelligence initiatives.