Start-Up CFO Foundations: Financial Management for New Founders

Launching a new venture requires more than a great product; it demands a solid grasp of financial health and strategic planning. Many founders struggle not because of their ideas, but because they lack the foundational financial skills to manage cash flow and plan for growth. This text-based course equips aspiring start-up CFOs and founders with the essential financial tools and concepts needed to navigate early-stage business finance. You will transition from guessing your numbers to confidently reading, analyzing, and structuring your startup's financial future. What you'll learn: Understand fundamental startup accounting principles and key financial statements; Calculate critical startup metrics including runway, burn rate, and unit economics; Analyze modern SaaS and subscription metrics such as Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV); Build basic financial models and scenario planning tools to project future revenue; Evaluate early-stage funding options and the essentials of capital structure. We begin with the core terminology of startup finance, introducing balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow dynamics. From there, you will progress through structured written lessons covering operational metrics, modern budgeting practices, and financial forecasting. This program is designed specifically for beginner founders, early-stage employees, and aspiring startup CFOs who have no prior background in finance or accounting. Start building your startup's financial foundation today.