Hire the Best Startup Consultants in Massachusetts

Executive Startup Advisor & Non-Dilutive Funding Strategist | PhD | 10+ Years | $50M+ Secured | Federal Grants & Contracts | 3x Founder | TedX Speaker I remember how challenging it was to transition from a PhD scientist into an early-stage startup founder, executive, & operator. Over the past 10+ years through building start-ups myself and advising hundreds of founders, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for technical and clinical founders to turn strong science into fundable, commercially credible startups. Here’s are some resources to help secure federal grants and contracts: - Website & SBIR/STTR grant templates: keepyourequity.co - YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@stacylchin I’m an Executive Startup Advisor and Non-Dilutive Funding Strategist working with scientists, clinicians, academic PIs, and technical founders spinning high-risk, high-impact R&D innovations out of leading universities and research institutions, including Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley, Columbia, and UCLA. I’m also a Techstars and MassChallenge mentor and have advised hundreds of early-stage founders across biotech, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, medical devices, diagnostics, AI, climate, energy, defense, and hard tech—often supporting teams tackling some of today’s most complex global challenges and navigating early fundraising and commercialization for the first time. My work focuses on advising early-stage, R&D-driven startups and helping founders make sense of early fundraising, clarify commercialization strategy, and position complex technical innovation in a way that resonates with funders, partners, and investors. I bring this perspective not only as an advisor, but also as a three-time startup founder, having built start-ups in emerging, cross-disciplinary technical spaces where there is no clear playbook. My past work has received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, with media coverage in CNN, NBC, BBC, and The Boston Globe. I’ve secured patents, published peer-reviewed research, won pitch competitions, and held leadership roles across R&D, product development, go-to-market, sales, business development, and commercialization. Over the past decade, I’ve helped startups and research-driven teams secure $50M+ in non-dilutive (non-networked) funding across healthcare, biotech, life sciences, medical devices, and hard tech through highly competitive federal grants and contracts. One of my earliest clients was awarded one of the first $25M+ ARPA-H contracts, setting an early benchmark for large-scale non-dilutive success. I’ve also served as an SBIR reviewer for both NIH and NSF, participating in multiple study sections and evaluating proposals across technical merit, commercialization strategy, and program fit—experience that directly informs how I advise teams on building competitive funding strategies. In parallel, I run a leading YouTube channel with 10,000+ subscribers, where I teach founders and technical teams how to navigate federal funding, grants, and contracting pathways. Who I Work With & How I Help I advise: • Early-stage, R&D-driven startups and academic spin-outs • PhD scientists, clinician founders, and technical CEOs preparing for first-time fundraising • Executive teams seeking senior, science-literate strategic guidance My work is strategic and advisory, focused on: • Non-dilutive funding strategy (federal grants & contracts; SBIR/STTR) • Fundable R&D, commercialization, and narrative positioning • Pitch decks, technical white papers, and commercialization plans • Go-to-market strategy, customer discovery, and ongoing executive advisory If you’re looking for guidance on how to translate early-stage, high-impact, high-risk innovation into a credible commercialization strategy (e.g., fundraising, positioning, market analysis, go-to-market (GTM) planning), let’s chat! Executive startup advisor • Startup consultant • Non-dilutive funding strategy • Federal grants & contracts • SBIR consultant • STTR consultant • NIH grants • NSF grants • Biotech consultant • Life sciences consultant • Medical device consultant • Commercialization strategy • Go-to-market strategy • Pitch deck advisor • Technical white papers • R&D strategy • Early-stage startups • Hard tech startups

I transform businesses through AI innovation and strategic growth planning, combining 15+ years of technical and management experience with hands-on startup expertise. As a former Dell Technologies Principal Technologist and current founder of an AI startup, I bridge the gap between technical possibilities and business success. I bring a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision to help businesses thrive in the digital age. What I Deliver: - Custom AI solutions that automate your workflows and reduce operational costs - Strategic roadmaps that turn your business vision into actionable plans - Data-driven customer discovery that validates your market opportunities (Get your 1st customer) - Lean MVP development that gets your product to market faster - Streamline operations, implement cutting-edge solutions, and develop robust business models Why Work With Me: ✓ Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified ✓ Harvard-educated in Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship ✓ Founded and scaled multiple ventures ✓ Led multi-million dollar technical programs at Dell Technologies ✓ Award-winning innovation practitioner ✓ Proficient in product and service development using Human-Centered Design Services I Offer: AI Implementation & Automation ✓ Custom AI agent development (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Flux LoRa) ✓ Workflow automation using make.com ✓ Intelligent chatbot design and deployment ✓ AI integration strategy and execution Startup Strategy & Growth ✓ Customer discovery and validation ✓ Product-market fit analysis ✓ Business model design and innovation ✓ Value proposition development ✓ MVP strategy and roadmap creation ✓ Digital transformation and innovation Technical Program Management ✓ Product development oversight ✓ Agile/Scrum implementation ✓ Risk management and mitigation ✓ Stakeholder alignment and communication My Working Style: I combine methodical execution with innovative thinking to deliver results that exceed expectations. Every engagement includes: ✓ Clear milestone setting and regular progress updates ✓ Data-driven decision making ✓ Flexible communication adapted to your needs ✓ Knowledge transfer to ensure long-term success Recent Achievements: ✓ Reduced Release to Manufacturing time by 41% through Lean Six Sigma implementation ✓ Successfully launched AI-powered management consulting platform ✓ Led cross-functional teams across 3 continents ✓ Designed and implemented innovation programs adopted by Fortune 500 companies Let's discuss how I can help drive your business forward through strategic innovation and technical excellence.

**Limited time promo: I am hoping to kickstart my presence on Upwork, so I'll be offering highly discounted services to early clients. My standard rate is $3-4k/day, and I will start raising my rate on Upwork after I have 5 reviews. EXPERT VETTED - Designation from Upwork, "Only the top 1% of talent on Upwork qualifies for Expert-Vetted talent status, and only those in select categories are eligible. These users have gone through a thorough screening process that evaluates technical expertise and soft skills." With over a decade of experience and success as a leader in Bain & Company's Private Equity Group, an e-commerce executive at Wayfair, and as a seasoned entrepreneur, I bring a unique blend of strategy and hands-on execution to your most challenging business situations. My professional journey has equipped me with rich insights into various sectors, especially the nuances of e-commerce and startup ecosystems. I've led fast-growing business units, navigated complex organizational challenges, and crafted growth strategies for burgeoning enterprises. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the roller-coaster that startups face and I'm adept at refining ideas, conceptualizing MVPs, and navigating early-stage growth. If your business challenges are straightforward, there are numerous cost-efficient options available. But if you're dealing with complex, mission-critical issues or embarking on a transformative journey, I can help steer your course with an exceptional blend of strategy, creativity, and pragmatism. My advisory services will deliver results at a fraction of the cost of a McKinsey/BCG/Bain project team, but with the same commitment to excellence and achievement. Whether you have a clearly defined project or are still trying to figure out the right direction, I am open for collaboration. I enjoy working with small and medium-sized businesses, helping them navigate the entrepreneurial journey and thrive in their respective markets. Our collaboration begins with a comprehensive conversation to understand your unique challenges, then we devise a bespoke solution tailored to your needs. I look forward to partnering with you to create lasting value and success in your entrepreneurial journey.

I am an entrepreneur at heart, I created my first business and grew it to almost $20,000,000.00 in sales, then sold it for a profit. Currently I work as an adviser to startups and restructurings. I can take your startup to the next level, I can be your interim CEO, CFO, COO, CRO or CMO. I have built 100+ investor ready business plans, financial models, Investor decks, executive summaries, cash flow models, pro-forma P& L, Balance Sheets and start-up plans. I develop Go-To-Marketing Strategies, Online Marketing Strategies and fine tune Product/Market Fit. I have probably seen what you are trying to do. I have created plans and decks that have led to multiple investor presentations and investments between $100,000.00 and $1,000,000.00. I work with businesses to create and refine their plans and models to craft a cohesive launch or restructuring plan that helps companies grow. I build and review all aspects of starting a business, from the initial Business Plan to the Exit Strategy and everything in between. I create Financial Models that show Cash Burn, Pro-Forma P&L and Balance Sheets. I create Financial Models for SaaS and Subscription Revenue businesses. I create Financial Models for Retail E-commerce and Direct Sales Platforms. I write Business Plans so that they make sense and are consistent with their message, and with an eye towards the audience that will be reading them. I build Compensation Plans including Salary, Commission and Bonus Structures I create CAP Tables Design Exit Plans I do 409A Evaluations Recently I helped founders justify their business model, which resulted in submitting 7 of them to an Angel Group for review and possible investment.

I am the founder of Town Square Advisors, a boutique consulting firm that leverages a proprietary method - the Square Management System - to focus strategies on development of strategic priorities, assessment of M&A targets (buy-side), valuation enhancement and sell-side M&A advisory, and assistance with organizational design and institutional culture. Additionally, as a Certified M&A Advisor (Alliance of M&A Advisors) and Certified M&A Professional (Institute for Mergers, Alliances and Acquisitions), Town Square Advisors also supports corporate finance projects, including both sell and buy-side M&A (process navigation, enterprise valuations, target company analysis, DCF/LBO/merger modeling), and building financial projections for growth-stage and startups (setting foundational operations as well as building proforma financial statements). My disparate career path work includes award winning tenure in corporate development (M&A, strategy and internal investment projects) for a large multi-national market research company and a private-equity backed portfolio company after having spent several years within middle-market investment banking where I supported M&A transactions for privately-held companies. I have built a foundation in corporate finance from financial modeling, including revenue projections and cost-estimating, to understanding valuation and pre-market positioning and strategy and can help guide a company through a liquidity event. I enjoy assisting companies understand their value proposition and also helping position a company to achieve maximum valuation. While I have extensive corporate finance experience, I am, at heart, first and foremost a small business operator, having spent over a decade building, growing and transforming professional sports franchises. Through work at these companies, I have overseen implementation of successful, and award-winning, sales and marketing initiatives, guided cost-saving operational improvements and handled full staff augmentations and staff training and development programs. I enjoy applying the lessons learned during my executive management tenure to helping other small and medium-sized business overcome growth hurdles or avoid operating obstacles. Recently, I was recognized for my work in strategy and M&A by being named a Finalist for the Alliance of M&A Advisors Thought Leader of the Year for 2022.

I help companies craft winning investor presentations and financial models. I helped startups raise over $150M in capital and develop financial models that pave a path to profitability and withstand VC scrutiny. Previously, I ran a venture capital firm and startup lab with partners including UBS, Travelers, Aetna. I like to work with founders one on one to craft a compelling story that captivates listeners and can also consult on go to market strategy, capital raising strategy, term sheet negotiations and more. I have also been an executive that has executed over $20B of financial transactions and M&A deals including NBC's purchase of Universal. I love working with founders and would love to work with you!