Early-stage AI and deep tech companies face complex financial decisions long before they can justify a full-time CFO. Nelson CFO provides board-level financial leadership to companies navigating growth, capital planning, and investor expectations.
You build the product.
I help build the company.
Supporting early-stage technology companies from first institutional funding through scale.
Advisor to Loyal VC, a global venture fund investing in early-stage technology companies.
Expertise Without the Full-Time Overhead
Most early-stage technology companies reach a point where financial decisions become too complex to manage alone.
Fundraising, runway planning, and investor reporting all require experienced financial leadership.
Yet hiring a full-time CFO too early can introduce cost and structure before the company is ready.
A fractional CFO provides the same senior-level perspective on a part-time basis — helping founders build financial models, manage runway, prepare for fundraising, and establish the reporting discipline expected by investors and boards.
The goal is simple: give the company the financial structure it needs to scale, without introducing executive overhead before the business requires it.
Typical situations where companies bring in Nelson CFO
• Preparing for an investor fundraising round
• Building a financial model investors can trust
• Preparing board reporting and KPI dashboards
• Managing burn rate and runway during rapid hiring
• Evaluating major strategic financial decisions during growth
Board and Investor Reporting
Create financial reporting and KPI dashboards for investors and boards.
Cash Flow and Runway Planning
Track burn rate, manage runway, and plan capital needs as the company grows.
Financial Modeling and Forecasting
Build financial models that clarify revenue, costs, and capital needs.
Fundraising Strategy and Preparation
Prepare financial models, materials, and reporting required to support investor conversations and fundraising.
How Nelson CFO Works
Step 1: Initial Financial Assessment
Review your current financial structure, runway, and key assumptions to identify the most important financial priorities facing the company.
Step 2: Financial Model and Strategic Planning
Build or refine financial models, forecasts, and capital planning so founders can make informed decisions about growth, hiring, and fundraising.
Step 3: Ongoing Financial Leadership
Provide ongoing financial insight and support as new strategic decisions arise, helping founders navigate growth, investor expectations, and increasing financial complexity
“Jason's contributions were critical to the success of AiDANT. His ability to both see the big picture and get into the numbers were crucial for us.”
About Jason Nelson
I founded Nelson CFO to provide early-stage technology companies with the financial leadership they need before they are ready to hire a full-time CFO. Many founders build remarkable technology but lack the financial structure required to support disciplined growth and investor expectations.
With more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry and an MBA from Columbia Business School, I work with founders to build financial models, plan capital requirements, and bring clarity to financial decision-making as their companies grow.
I am also an advisor to Loyal VC, a global venture fund investing in early-stage technology companies.
Through Nelson CFO, I support companies building AI and deep technology by helping founders strengthen their financial foundations and prepare their businesses for the increasing financial complexity that comes with growth.
Is It Time to Bring in a Fractional CFO?
Many early-stage technology companies reach a point where financial decisions become too complex to manage informally. As companies grow, questions around capital, hiring, runway, and investor expectations require more structured financial planning and experienced guidance.
Founders often begin exploring fractional CFO support when:
• You are preparing for an investor fundraising round and need credible financial models and forecasts
• Your financial model no longer reflects the realities of the business
• Hiring decisions are significantly affecting burn rate and runway
• Investors or advisors are asking for clearer financial reporting and forward planning
• Strategic decisions around pricing, growth, or capital allocation are becoming more complex
• You need experienced financial leadership but are not ready to hire a full-time CFO
A fractional CFO provides the financial structure, discipline, and insight needed to navigate this stage of growth with confidence.
If these challenges sound familiar, a conversation can help clarify the right financial structure for the next stage of growth.