Fractional CFO & Operations Consulting
Financial and operational clarity for startups that are scaling fast
Fractional CFO and operations consulting for life sciences, deep tech, and AI companies — for startups that have outgrown their first finance hire but aren't ready for a full-time CFO.
Founders don't start their business to deal with Finance. We do.
Services
What we deliver
Hands-on fractional CFO and operations support tailored to complex, capital-intensive businesses.
Financial planning & budgeting
Build forecasts, operating budgets, and scenario plans that keep leadership aligned as you scale.
Fundraising support & investor-ready financials
Prepare models, data rooms, and narratives that stand up to investor diligence.
Cash flow and runway management
Visibility into burn, runway, and cash decisions so you can grow with confidence.
Board reporting and investor communication
Clear, consistent board packs and investor updates that build trust.
Operational finance and due diligence support
Process, controls, and diligence readiness that keep operations investment-grade.
AI-first finance
Pilot AI in the finance function first, then expand org-wide with practical AI agents for finance workflows.
Who we work with
Built for ambitious technical companies
We partner with startups that have outgrown their first finance hire but aren't ready for a full-time CFO — and need strategic finance without a full-time hire.
Life Sciences
Biotech, medtech, and health platforms navigating clinical milestones, capital raises, and complex operating models.
Deep Tech
Hardware, materials, and hard-science companies balancing long R&D cycles with disciplined financial stewardship.
AI
AI-native and AI-enabled companies that need finance partners who understand product velocity and capital efficiency.
About / Founder
Sumeet Agrawal
20+ years spanning finance and operations leadership across life sciences and deep tech — including Genentech, Intersect ENT (acquired by Medtronic), Instil Bio, and Culture Biosciences.
- MBA — Indiana University Kelley School of Business
- MS Electrical Engineering — University of Toledo
- Mentor — Berkeley SkyDeck
Work / Testimonials
What partners say
Representative feedback from engagements. Labels marked placeholder pending client permission to publish.
- [Placeholder]
“SmartScale brought board-level clarity to our forecasts and fundraising narrative. We finally had a finance partner who understood both the science and the story investors needed to hear.”
CEO, Series A life sciences company
- [Placeholder]
“Cash, runway, and operating cadence went from reactive to intentional. The fractional model gave us senior CFO judgment without the overhead of a full-time hire.”
Founder, deep tech hardware startup
- [Placeholder]
“From investor updates to diligence readiness, the engagement paid for itself. Practical, hands-on, and fluent in how AI-native teams actually operate.”
COO, AI-enabled growth company
Contact
Let's talk
Tell us about your company and where finance support would help most. We typically reply within one business day.
Or email us directly at connect@smartscalefinance.com