Whether you’re a fast-growing startup, a scaling small business, or an established company looking to expand, one challenge remains constant: access to capital. And in today’s competitive funding landscape, financial readiness is just as important as a great product or service.

As experienced fractional CFO’s, we’ve helped clients prepare for investor meetings and apply for grants. This guide walks through what investors are really looking for and how to unlock funding opportunities for your business.

What Investors Really Want to See

Your pitch deck might be one of hundreds that investors see that financial year. To stand out, your proposal needs to be credible, strategically sound, and backed by data. Here’s what investors care about-

• A clear business model: Investors want to see how your company makes money and how scalable that model is.
• Reliable financials and realistic forecasts: Financial statements and projections should be accurate, audit-ready, and based on realistic assumptions to build trust.
• A strong, data-driven pitch: With detailed unit economics and cash flow analysis, present your numbers with confidence and clarity.
• Investor-ready systems: Have you implemented or refined your financial systems so your numbers hold up under due diligence?

The Role of an Outsourced CFO in Fundraising

An outsourced CFO does more than crunch numbers. We become your strategic partner in raising capital, which typically includes:

• Preparation of financial documents
• Financial modelling & valuation strategy
• Investor outreach support

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Let’s dive a little deeper into documentation. You will need detailed, accurate financial information to show any potential investors or venture capital firms. This typically includes:

• Clean historical financials
• 3–5 year projections
• Funding history
• Detailed use-of-funds breakdown
• KPIs and metrics tailored to your industry

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Essentially, an outsourced CFO provides the financial backbone and strategic insights to attract serious investors, without the cost of a full-time executive. Smaller businesses and startups without the internal capacity to handle these elements can benefit greatly from outsourcing.

Read about other ways an outsourced CFO can benefit businesses.

Grants and Non-Dilutive Funding

Equity funding isn’t the only path. A skilled outsourced CFO can help your business explore non-dilutive capital, which is money your business receives without giving up equity or ownership in the company. This includes identifying grants, preparing applications, and managing compliance if you are accepted. Three kinds of non-dilutive funding opportunities are:

• Government grants: Funds provided by local, state, or federal government agencies to support businesses or individuals in areas like innovation, research, job creation, or community development. Unlike loans, a grant doesn’t have to be repaid, but they require meeting specific eligibility and reporting criteria. Here’s a guided search tool to help you find grants for Australian businesses.

• Incubators: Incubators are structured programs that help early-stage businesses launch and scale, often affiliated with universities, governments, or corporate partners. While it might not always include funding, support can be offered in the way of office space, resources, and advisory. It’s uncommon that equity is taken, but not unheard of.
• Corporate and university funding programs: Large corporations and universities sometimes provide funding or partnerships to startups aligned with their research, innovation, or industry goals. These programs can help young companies access capital, resources, and market opportunities without giving up equity.

Why Work With an Outsourced CFO?

The thing is, long-term investor relationships start with transparency. Raising capital isn’t just about closing a round, it’s about building ongoing trust and making the most of the resources that come with it. Outsourced CFOs play a key role post-investment by reporting on financial performance, monitoring spend and/or compliance, communicating metrics to stakeholders, and supporting future rounds. Founders are visionaries, investors are risk managers, and a CFO bridges the gap.

Need help getting investor-ready? Our outsourced CFO service gives you access to senior-level financial expertise without the full-time cost or commitment, making it easier to navigate funding, growth, and beyond. Book a call with The Co. Outsourced CFO team today.