For founders before a raise

Know what investors will challenge — before they do.

A 90-minute private session and a written memo, for founders getting ready to raise who want an honest, expert read on whether the business will hold up under institutional scrutiny — and what to fix before it doesn't.

Book the Diagnostic
USD 550, all-inclusive. Session scheduled on receipt of payment.

What it is

Most fundraises stall in the same places: unit economics that don't survive a second look, a use-of-funds story that doesn't connect to the model, and viability gaps the founder hasn't named yet.

The Fundraise Readiness Diagnostic is a structured 90-minute session with Emilio Parente, Founder of CFO Ventures, followed by a written memo delivered within five business days. The output gives you a clear, honest read on the four questions that decide whether a raise is ready, and what specifically needs to change if it isn't.

It is built for founders who are smart enough to know what they don't yet know — and who want a senior CFO to tell them the truth before an investor does.

What the memo covers

01

Unit economics, read at your current scale

What your current data is actually telling you about revenue per customer, churn, contribution margin and the cost of acquiring growth. Honest signal, not narrative.

02

Use of funds, articulated inside the model

How to size the raise, and how to make the link between capital deployed and growth produced legible to an institutional investor.

03

The three gaps to viability

The specific structural issues an investor will surface — named clearly, with the order in which to address them.

04

Financial model architecture

The structure of the model you should build yourself, with the drivers, scenarios and outputs that anchor an investor conversation. A blueprint, not the finished model.

Who this is for

For you if
  • You are preparing to raise institutional capital in the next 12 months
  • You have early revenue and want a sharper read on whether the economics support the raise you have in mind
  • You want senior CFO judgment on what to fix before going to market — not a sales pitch for a full mandate
  • You are willing to hear hard answers and act on them
Not for you if
  • You are pre-revenue and pre-product
  • You are looking for an advisor to find investors on your behalf — we don't provide that service
  • You want help executing a fundraise rather than diagnosing whether the business is ready for one

How it works

1

Book

Pick a tentative time using the booking link. A short intake form before the session.

2

Invoice and confirm

You receive an invoice for USD 550 within one business day. The session is confirmed once payment is received.

3

The session

A 90-minute working session with Emilio, focused on the four diagnostic questions and your specific business.

4

The memo

A written memo, structured around the four sections above, delivered within five business days.

About Emilio Parente

Emilio's photo

Emilio is the founder of CFO Ventures, a Dubai-based fractional CFO and financial advisory practice. He holds an MBA from London Business School and an MSc from Bocconi University, and is recognised as a Toptal Top 3% finance professional. Over the last decade he has supported more than fifty companies across fifteen countries on financial planning, fundraising preparation and M&A.

Fruitful Day
Dubai seed round, AED 3M oversubscribed
Heat
USD 5M led by Antler and LVMH Luxury Ventures
AppHub
Fractional CFO during PSG-backed roll-up, acquired by Clearer.io

Honest answers, before they cost you the raise.

The Diagnostic is the most efficient 90 minutes you can spend before going to market.

Book the Diagnostic — USD 550
Slots are limited each month. Sessions scheduled in order of payment received.