"Khaled did a terrific job on the project. The quality of the work was exceptional and he gave it to me a few days earlier than the deadline. He was very cooperative in answering my questions and was very open to making changes. I would highly recommend him as a freelancer."
"He went above and beyond to over deliver on a financial analysis and valuation exercise and I was very happy with his results. Khaled was thoughtful, expedient and nice in character, as he always is. I will be looking to use him again at his earliest convenience, very professional and good guy all around. 5/5, A+, Top Shelf!"
Those are some of clients testimonials as I am passionate about startups and helping entrepreneurs as well as investors making insightful decisions.
I am a finance professional with over 11 years experience in Venture Capital, Investment Banking and Financial Advisory.
Currently, I work with Deloitte Canada, as a senior associate specializing in modeling & valuation so you can get the quality of a big 4 firm for a fraction of the price.
I developed strong Excel skills building valuation models and reviewing business plans. In my career, I participated in 7+ investments in startups from initiation to closing with over $50 MM under management.
I am a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) and certified FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst) from the Corporate Finance Institute so I can be efficient in delivering you the best practices.
Venture Capital Consulting
Microsoft Excel
Financial Analysis
Financial Projection
Financial Modeling
Due Diligence
Business Modeling
Budget Management
Business Valuation
Private Equity
Investment Banking
Tech & IT
Microsoft PowerPoint
Kim W.
Calgary, Canada
$145/hr
4.9
261 jobs
Need help expressing your startup’s potential? Are you tired of pitches falling flat? You need a strategic advantage.
With 25+ years as a former VC, investment banker, consultant, and author of the soon to be published, The Founder's Gauntlet - The Complete Fundraising and Startup Companion from Ideation to Exit, I don't just build investor materials; I engineer investor conviction. I've seen hundreds of startups stumble, not from bad ideas, but from failing to speak the investor language.
Here's the harsh truth: Investors see hundreds of pitches. They're looking for the 'why' behind the numbers and the story, the strategic edge that sets you apart. If your pitch doesn't ignite their interest in seconds, you've lost.
Here's how I change that:
- Investor-Grade Financial Models: Not just projections, but a roadmap investors trust.
- Killer Business Plans and Investor Pitch Decks: Narratives that resonate, not just word and number dumps.
- Insider Insight: I know what investors want before they ask.
- Strategic Fundraising Coaching: Turn your pitch into a funding magnet.
- My track record: I've co-founded a VC firm and an investment bank. I've been in your shoes, and I know what it takes to break through.
The difference? I don't just prepare you; I equip you to dominate. I'll help you anticipate investor questions, dismantle objections, and showcase your vision with unwavering confidence.
Ready to stop pitching and start growing? Don't let another opportunity slip away. Message me now, and let's turn your startup's potential into reality.
Startup Consulting
Business Coaching
Business Plan
Management Consulting
Strategy
Venture Capital Consulting
Financial Modeling
Presentations
Corporate Finance
Financial Writing
Investor Overview
Financial Projection
Michael D.
Calgary, Canada
$150/hr
4.9
125 jobs
I have been in private equity/ venture capital for the past 25 years. I worked for several years with BDC Capital, a $3 billion venture capital fund. Companies that I have been directly involved in have raised over $200M of venture capital and have achieved exits of $1.6 billion.
I love working with very early stage companies. I provide a lot of value in getting your business ready for investment. I will offer very blunt feedback and help you position your company for success. I can provide feedback on the business plan, presentation, etc. In exceptional cases I can make introductions to investors that I believe will have a high likelihood of investing.
I have been honored for my achievements. I have been a Business Pitch Judge at the prestigious Rice Business Plan Competition and Banff Venture Forum. I have also judged several international Pitch Competitions.
I advise technology companies all over the world. I also act as a consultant on operational issues. I have also completed a few turnarounds as well. My services include:
- Winning pitch decks
- Financial Models - forecasting, analysis, problem solving
- Investor pitch decks, strategy and identification of appropriate investors..
- Business planning and Strategic Consulting (business plan writing, business development, strategic
analysis, marketing plan, market entry strategies)
- Company valuation, Mergers and Acquisitions and Due Diligence, Value Creation Plans
- Inbound Private Equity - helping companies respond with a strategy on how they will invest the funds
- Venture Capital Funds
- Expert Witness for a BC Supreme Court Trial
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - interim and mentoring
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
- Market Research
My knowledge of what works allows me to help you avoid common mistakes and proactively positions you to answer the tough questions.
I want to give back and help others succeed. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals and dreams!
Startup Consulting
Business Plan
Management Consulting
Strategy
Venture Capital Consulting
Presentations
Financial Modeling
Investment Banking
Investor Overview
Fundraising
Venture Capital
Presentation Design
Financial Analysis
Mergers & Acquisitions
Growth Strategy
Vino Trevor S.
North York, Canada
$100/hr
4.1
27 jobs
I co-founded a deep-tech company as CEO and helped engineer its acquisition by Snap Inc. I now work with founders who are already building but stuck in misalignment they cannot see from inside the business.
Before anything else, three things are worth clarifying because trust is the product in this line of work.
First, my Upwork history looks different from my title. It spans hands-on sales execution: cold outreach, telesales, lead generation, and sales management. That was deliberate. I advise on revenue because I have done every seat in it, and I still take on select strategic sales and revenue leadership engagements where the fit is right. The execution years are not a past I am distancing myself from. They are the reason the advice holds up.
Second, my profile was inactive from February 2023 until April 2026. I was based in Asia, focused on post-transaction matters following the Snap acquisition, advisory roles, corporate innovation work, and startup opportunities outside of Upwork. I am now back in Toronto, and this profile reflects what the work has become: leading strategy, positioning, fundraising-readiness, revenue, and technology-scope projects for founders and operators.
Third, if you are making technology decisions, my role is not “developer for hire.” My experience comes from leading complex technical work from the business side. At the company Snap acquired, I owned the product vision and commercial direction while working alongside CTO-level technical leadership, translating deep computer-vision capability into a buyer-ready use case. That is the role I play in technology projects: defining the right problem, scope, commercial logic, and execution path before expensive build decisions get made.
Most execution problems are not really execution problems. They are wrong priorities, unclear positioning, a sales process that does not match the buyer, a technical roadmap disconnected from commercial reality, or a founder too deep in the business to see what is actually slowing growth. That is where I operate.
I am useful when a business has motion but not enough clarity. You may have leads, a product, a technical team, a pitch, or a list of projects, but something still feels off. The offer is not sharp enough. The sales conversation is inconsistent. The product vision is not translating into buyer demand. The founder is chasing too many priorities.
I help identify what to ignore, what to fix, and where to focus next.
I can help with:
• Strategy and prioritization
• Offer clarity and positioning
• Sales process audits and restructuring
• High-ticket sales strategy and consultative discovery
• Strategic sales and revenue leadership
• Founder and operator decision support
• Fundraising readiness, raise narrative, and investor positioning
• Technology project scoping and commercial validation
• AI and automation project scoping and direction
• Exit readiness and positioning for acquisition
A large part of my work is helping businesses communicate value more clearly. That can mean tightening the sales process, reframing the offer, clarifying the buyer’s desired outcome, or identifying where the customer journey is creating friction.
For high-ticket offers, I use identity-based framing ethically: not as pressure, but as a way to help buyers see whether a decision aligns with the direction they are already moving toward.
How I work: clear scope before we start, and named ownership on every piece of the work. If I am not the right person for something, I say so in the first conversation, because a wrong engagement costs us both more than a short call.
Relevant background:
• Co-founder and CEO through the go-to-market phase of a deep-tech company acquired by Snap Inc.
• Led product vision and commercial repositioning for complex computer-vision technology
• Worked alongside CTO-level technical leadership through strategic acquisition
• Founder of Soundboard.space, a principal-led strategic advisory and execution practice
• 15+ years across sales, consulting, operations, and founder-led growth
• IBM Global Services background in enterprise service operations, escalation paths, and structured client workflows
• Experience with SMB, startup, service-based, enterprise, and technical founder environments
When an engagement needs technical build, AI integration, or infrastructure delivery, I bring it through my practice with named ownership and transparent rates. I lead the commercial and strategic direction. Technical delivery runs through a dedicated technical lead with a decade of production experience. You always know who is doing what.
Startup Consulting
Business Consulting
Business Plan
Management Consulting
Sales
Management Skills
Financial Analysis & Valuation
Business Strategy
Sales Strategy
Go-to-Market Strategy
Fundraising
Venture Capital
Pitch Deck
Mergers & Acquisitions
Competitive Analysis
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Ethics
Sami E.
Brossard, Canada
$55/hr
5.0
5 jobs
I’m a Business Strategy Consultant and Growth Coach helping entrepreneurs, executives, and small businesses structure their strategy, enhance performance, and lead with clarity and confidence.
With over 8 years of experience in strategic management, consulting, and leadership development, I help businesses transform ideas into actionable plans — aligning vision, execution, and growth.
My professional path spans finance, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. As a CFO and Strategic Director for a publishing group, and a former wealth management consultant and startup incubator mentor, I’ve guided dozens of entrepreneurs through the challenges of scaling, optimizing operations, and leading teams effectively.
I combine a strategic consulting mindset with a coaching approach focused on clarity, accountability, and measurable progress.
My areas of expertise include:
▪ Business strategy & growth planning
▪ Leadership & executive coaching
▪ Strategic decision-making & problem-solving
▪ Organizational development & performance optimization
▪ Personal and professional development for founders and teams
Holding an MBA in Finance, I bring both analytical depth and human-centered insight to every collaboration — bridging numbers with strategy, and vision with execution.
Fluent in English and French, I work with clients who value precision, honesty, and long-term partnership.
Let’s connect to turn your business strategy and leadership goals into sustainable growth.
Startup Consulting
Business Coaching
Business Plan
Management Consulting
Financial Planning
Financial Consulting
Strategic Planning
Entrepreneurship
Pitch Deck
Business Strategy
Leadership Development
Organizational Development
Ezinne O.
Thornhill, Canada
$28/hr
5.0
19 jobs
I'm a professional pitch deck writer, grant writer, and proposal writer who helps startups and small businesses secure funding, contracts, and partnerships. I specialize in investor-ready pitch decks, grant proposals, RFP responses, technical documents and business plans. My experience includes tech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and research-based projects. My goal is to produce clear, persuasive materials that decision-makers understand.
My work often goes beyond writing. I help clients structure ideas, prepare for investor pitches and proposal reviews. Through coaching, my clients are able to present their projects to meet professional and technical standards. This includes pitch coaching, proposal strategy, technical documentation, and, when needed, AI-powered website development to support product launches, funding applications, or organizational visibility.
Services I provide:
1) Pitch Decks & Investor Documents
- Pitch deck writing and editing
- Investor-ready presentations
- Storyline and narrative development
- Pitch deck reviews and coaching
2) Grant Writing & Proposal Writing
- Grant proposals
- RFP / RFQ / bid responses
- Contract and funding applications
- Government and NGO proposals
3) Business & Technical Writing
- Business plans
- Reports and research documents
- SOPs, manuals, and technical documentation
- Policy and compliance documents
Why clients work with me:
- Certified Project Management background (CAPM) with MSc-level training
- Experience writing for tech, healthcare, cybersecurity, research, and business projects
- Strong track record of clear, well-structured, decision-ready documents
- Detail-oriented, reliable, and comfortable working with complex material
- Able to translate technical ideas into language investors, reviewers, and clients understand
- Consistent 5⭐ feedback for quality, communication, and meeting deadlines
- Comfortable working with startups, small businesses, consultants, and established organizations
- Collaborative approach with revisions and client input throughout the project
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It doesn't get better than Ezinne. The quality of what she delivers is outstanding...You won't be disappointed."
Client Testimonials:
- "Easy to work with"
- "Paid attention to details"
- "Completed the job on time"
- "Impressed by the quality of work"
How I work
- I begin by understanding your goals, audience, and requirements, then I create a clear structure before writing. I share drafts for review, and include your feedback so the final document meets your expectations.
- I communicate regularly, meet deadlines, and keep projects organized from start to finish.
Based in GMT+2 (EMEA), I work with clients worldwide. Feel free to message me to discuss your project.
Technical Writing
Content Writing
RFP Writing
Blog Writing
Grant Writing
Article Writing
Speech Writing
Report Writing
Grant Writing Consultation
Story Writing
Policy Writing
Quiz Writing
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
User Guide Writing
Business Writing
How it works
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