Clarity from First Principles.
Fractional CFO & Operating Partner helping founders cut through complexity, build real financial systems, and make decisions with confidence.
What we do
We help founders build financial clarity, operational discipline, and investor-ready systems — without adding full-time overhead.
Finance Architecture
Building integrated models, budgets, scenarios, and runway plans that founders and investors trust.
Capital Strategy
Equity, debt, and structured capital planning with hands-on raise execution, term sheet modeling, diligence navigation, and investor alignment
Operating System
KPI frameworks, unit economics, reporting cadences, cohort analysis, dashboards, and decision-support tools.
Project & Structured Finance
Deep modeling and financial engineering for capital-intensive ventures: SPVs, partner structures, waterfall/return frameworks, long-horizon planning, and risk-adjusted project economics
FOAK & Industrial-Scale Economics
Developing first-of-a-kind (FOAK) project models, techno-economic analyses, scale-up cost curves, capacity planning, and multi-stage rollout frameworks for emerging technologies and hard-tech systems.
The First Principles Approach
Breaking complex problems down to their fundamental truths — then rebuilding toward clarity, alignment, and confident execution..
Clarify — Together
Work with founders and functional leaders to remove noise, surface root causes, and align on the truths that actually drive the business.
Architect — In Collaboration
Co-design models, KPIs, reporting cadences, and operating systems with the team so the tools match how they actually make decisions — not theoretical spreadsheets.
Execute — As a Partner
Embed in the operating rhythm, drive communication and alignment, and work side-by-side with leadership to turn clarity into consistent execution and momentum.
Leadership
William Mulholland - Principle & Operating Partner
I’m a strategic, hands-on CFO and operating partner with 20+ years building finance, FP&A, and BI functions across deep-tech, climate, mobility, SaaS, adtech, fintech, and regulated industries. I’ve raised and supported $200M+ in equity, debt, and project finance from Pre-Seed through Series C, backed multiple exits, and led high-ambiguity teams through scale, pivots, and capital inflection points.
As a founder myself, I understand the pressure, the uncertainty, and the pace at which decisions must be made. I’m often brought in during 0→1 builds, rebuilds, FOAK initiatives, or periods of operational strain — moments when clarity, systems, and aligned decision-making determine whether the next chapter is stabilizing or defining.
I work embedded with founders and leadership teams — collaborating closely to design investor-grade models, KPIs, forecasting engines, and operating systems that match how they actually work. My approach combines first-principles thinking, disciplined execution, and investor storytelling that withstands diligence and accelerates alignment.
How We Work With Founders
A collaborative, embedded approach designed to bring clarity, structure, and confidence to your financial and strategic decisions.
Embedded Support — Not Advisory
You’re not buying slides or spreadsheets — you’re getting a partner who works inside your operating rhythm. I plug directly into your operating cadence — weekly or biweekly — acting as a true extension of your finance and strategy function.
Real Systems — Built With Your Team
We co-design models, KPIs, reporting cadence, and decision tools with the team so the systems match reality — how the business actually runs, not how spreadsheets pretend it runs.
Flexible Engagement — Aligned to Stage + Needs
Whether it’s a raise sprint, a 0→1 rebuild, a FOAK project, or scaling your FP&A function — the scope flexes as the business evolves. No rigid scopes, no big-agency overhead.
Engagement Models
A collaborative, embedded approach designed to bring clarity, structure, and confidence to your financial and strategic decisions.
Fractional CFO of Record (3–12+ months)
A full finance partner without the full-time overhead.
Ideal for: Seed → Series B companies needing a CFO-level operator who can own the function.
What it looks like:
1–2 days/week equivalent over a multi-month horizon
I act as the owner of your finance, FP&A, and strategic planning
First 6–8 weeks: intensive reset — systems, dashboards, models, reporting
Then ongoing: cadence, decision support, board materials, hiring support
Outcome:
A real finance function that matches how your business actually runs.
Capital Readiness & Raise Support (3–6 months)
For founders heading into a raise or already mid-process.
Early Phase:
Raise narrative, investor materials, and board alignment
Model overhaul: runway, scenarios, sensitivities
Data room prep and diligence readiness
Active Raise:
Ongoing support for investor Q&A and model iterations
Real-time decision support during negotiations
Outcome:
A raise that moves faster — with fewer surprises.
Finance Rebuild / Build-Out (3–6 months)
For teams who know finance is broken, missing, or scattered across spreadsheets.
Month 1–2:
Diagnostic of current tools, processes, and reporting
Rebuild the operating model, budget, and core KPIs
Establish baseline reporting and cadences
Month 3–6:
Board-ready financials, dashboards, forecasting engines
Operating rhythms that align leadership
Cleaner systems and hand-off processes
Outcome:
A complete finance upgrade that restores clarity and control.
Advisory Retainer (6+ months)
Lightweight, strategic support for founders who want ongoing clarity without a large recurring commitment.
What’s included:
Monthly deep-dive working session
Async board pack review & strategy feedback
Support on planning, KPIs, and capital strategy
A steady partner in the background as your business evolves
Outcome:
Ongoing clarity and alignment without a large recurring commitment.