www.wealthandfinance-news.com Q3 2025 Grassfeld Inc: Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025: Mo Radjab &wealth finance i n t e r n a t i o n a l
AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Editor’s Comment Editorial Team Sofi Parry, Senior Editor | Joshua Beardsmore, Writer | Kita Thomas, Writer Design Team Emma Hunt, Creative Team Manager | Lauren Baldwin, Graphic Designer Welcome to the Q3 2025 edition Wealth & Finance International magazine. As always, we endeavour to provide fund managers, alongside institutional and private investors with the very latest industry news in the traditional and alternative investment spheres. Covering a selection of updates and news features for the financial sphere, this quarter’s issue is a shining example of exactly what this brand stands for: excellence in finance management, investments, and solutions which help businesses to expand their reach. We’re also delighted to present Mo Radjab’s success as he was recently awarded Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025. His dedication to his craft has taken his company far, inspiring others to follow suit and stay adaptable in their leadership style. We look forward to your perusal of this issue and we hope you find it to be insightful, inspiring, and interesting as we celebrate the businesses and individuals working tirelessly to enrich their services, solutions, and industries. We also look forward to seeing you again in Q4 for our final issue of 2025. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor
Contents 4. News: Using Predictive Analytics for Proactive Wealth Preservation Strategies Overcoming Financial Reporting Challenges With Dedicated Software 6. Grassfeld Inc: Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025: Mo Radjab 10. Why Many Professional Services CFOs Are Advocating Deliverable-Based Pricing 12. Why We Need a New Approach to Startup Funding
NEWS Using Predictive Analytics for Proactive Wealth Preservation Strategies Today’s financial market rewards precision over gut instinct, and predictive analytics is quickly becoming a must-have tool for serious investors. As markets grow more volatile and data becomes more abundant, financial professionals use these models to stay ahead of the curve. They help identify risks before they unfold, forecast market and economic shifts more accurately, and tailor strategies to individual financial profiles. For those focused on long-term wealth protection and growth, predictive analytics offers a smarter, more agile way to plan. Strategic Value of Predictive Analytics in Wealth Management Predictive analytics shifts portfolio management from hindsight to foresight, giving investors a clearer view of what will happen next. Instead of relying solely on historical performance, financial professionals use these tools to forecast future cash flows, assess real-time credit risk and fine-tune investment portfolios based on evolving conditions. Scenario modeling and machine learning algorithms enhance this process by running simulations across different economic environments, which flags risks before they occur. This proactive approach helps firms preserve capital, adjust allocations with greater agility and make smarter decisions under uncertainty. Hyper-Personalized Wealth Growth Strategies Predictive analytics helps investors make wise, more personalized decisions by analyzing their cash flow, spending patterns and asset mix to deliver data-driven recommendations. These models can pinpoint opportunities to improve financial habits, like gradually increasing retirement contributions by 1% annually — a common tactic financial professionals recommend to boost long-term savings with minimal disruption. These tools reduce bias and support more disciplined decision-making by identifying behavioral inconsistencies and emotional spending triggers. They’re a practical way to remove the guesswork from wealth planning and create strategies that reflect a person’s financial reality. Market Trend Forecasting With AI and Quant Tools Predictive models parse historical and real-time market data to spot patterns and forecast events. By applying machine learning techniques and statistical algorithms, they estimate the likelihood of various market outcomes with impressive speed and accuracy. This forward-looking approach is especially valuable in volatile environments, where timing can make or break a trade. Quantitative analysts, in particular, rely on predictive analytics to detect short-term opportunities driven by sudden volume shifts, volatility clusters or momentum signals. It’s beyond recognizing what’s moving — it involves understanding why and what’s likely to happen next. Use Cases in Real-time Portfolio Optimization Advanced wealth management platforms use predictive analytics to recalibrate portfolios daily, aligning them with market signals and each client’s risk profile. This level of personalization responds to growing dissatisfaction with the traditional one-size-fits-all approach as more investors demand strategies tailored to their specific goals and financial behavior. This forecasting is also influential in tax efficiency. The algorithms anticipate taxable events and optimize the timing of tax-loss harvesting to help preserve after-tax returns. For today’s wealth managers, embracing needs-based personalization backed by data is quickly becoming the new standard. Choosing and Integrating Predictive Analytics Platforms Selecting and integrating a predictive analytics platform requires careful planning, especially for firms looking to elevate their investment strategies without disrupting daily operations. The ideal solution should offer data crunching, support smarter decision-making, align with business objectives and enhance overall client service. Here are key tips financial professionals should consider when evaluating their options: • Prioritize platforms with real-time data feeds: Firms should choose tools that deliver continuous market updates, which allow advisors to act on timely insights as conditions change. • Ensure transparency in modeling and assumptions: A reliable platform will clearly outline how its predictions are generated to help teams validate outputs and maintain compliance. • Look for machine learning adaptability: Platforms that refine their models based on new data can improve accuracy and relevance over time, especially in fast-moving markets. • Check for seamless integration with existing systems: Compatibility with current trading platforms and reporting tools is essential for a smooth adoption process. • Evaluate dashboard customization and user control: A flexible interface allows users to prioritize the metrics and insights that matter most to their clients and portfolios. Staying Ahead in a Data-Driven Wealth Management World Finance professionals who sharpen their analytical skill set gain a clear edge in tech-driven investing spaces. Predictive analytics builds resilient, adaptive strategies that withstand market shifts and client expectations. Those who embrace data as a strategic tool will lead the next era of intelligent, personalized wealth management.
NEWS Overcoming Financial Reporting Challenges With Dedicated Software Financial reporting is an essential business process across all industries that allows companies to keep track of their overall financial health and maintain regulatory compliance. Accurate and timely financial data is also essential to identify risks such as manual errors, process delays, or inaccurate decision-making, and respond to changing market conditions. However, due to the increase in data amounts and its complexity, financial reporting is becoming labor-intensive and error-prone when done manually and with outdated tools such as Excel. This is why financial reporting software is playing an increasingly key role in financial reports creation. Such systems speed up and simplify the reporting process while solving lots of challenges during report creation. Financial reporting challenges & how to overcome them Depending on the industry and specifics of the operation, companies can face various challenges in handling financial reports. Below, we will focus on the top five most common ones and explore how financial reporting software can help overcome these difficulties. Challenge 1: Manual errors & data inaccuracies Many companies still use spreadsheets and manual data entry, which can lead to human error in reports and other financial documents. For example, a wrong piece of data that is manually copied from one document to another can lead to large errors in the report, which can affect further decision-making. Solution: Financial reporting software streamlines data entry and validation by pulling data directly from integrated systems and reducing the need to handle data manually. As a result, financial teams spend less time looking for errors and can create more accurate reports. Challenge 2: Slow & inefficient report preparation Teams can spend hours analyzing data, combining spreadsheets into a single report, and verifying its accuracy. As a result, decisionmaking or time-sensitive company activities can be impacted by report delays. Solution: The financial reporting software provides real-time access to analytics data and generates reports in a convenient format. Additionally, a manager can create a reporting schedule and have the dedicated software automatically generate and send weekly reports to interested parties. Challenge 3: Multi-entity data consolidation When a company has multiple subsidiaries that can use different accounting systems and standards, report creation can take a lot of time due to the need to bring all data into one format. Different workflows between companies can also make the financial audit process more difficult, as each organization can follow different procedures for recognizing revenue, classifying expenses, or approving transactions. All of this can negatively impact the speed and accuracy of stakeholders’ evaluation of the company’s overall financial health. Solution: Centralized financial reporting software streamlines the consolidation of multiple subsidiaries’ data into one system, automates data processing, and applies consistent rules for report creation. This way, the software makes the creation of financial audits faster and provides stakeholders with a clearer view of the business’s overall financial health. Challenge 4: Adapting reports for different stakeholders Financial reports must meet the diverse needs of multiple stakeholders in the organization. For example, internal teams look for operational metrics in a report, regulators need compliance information, and investors want company insights and strategies. It can be complex and time-consuming to meet all the requirements and adapt the same report to various users manually. Solution: The financial reporting software can tailor the visualization of financial data to a specific audience: internal teams get realtime access to operational metrics through interactive dashboards; regulators receive up-to-date, automated compliance reports that meet industry standards; and investors gain strategic summaries with key insights and trends. This way, the software helps multiple stakeholders receive reports focused on what they need to know and guarantees that reports stay consistent and clear for all stakeholders while also saving time on report production. Challenge 5: Forecasting Forecasting helps companies get ready for what comes next. Without access to accurate, up-to-date forecasts, financial departments can’t plan their operations with confidence or accuracy, identify trends, model scenarios, or respond quickly to changing market conditions. Solution: Financial reporting software brings together historical data and real-time figures to create financial forecasts using its flexible models. This way, companies can explore different outcomes, test assumptions, and understand how decisions might play out. Whether teams are planning for growth, navigating risks, or planning budgets, the software gives insights needed to make wellinformed decisions with confidence. Wrapping up Financial reporting is an important business process that can take a lot of time and effort, especially if all the data is collected, processed, and compiled manually. What is more, any inaccuracy or non-compliance with standards can lead to poor decision-making and entail reputational risks. Financial reporting software solves these problems by automating data handling, simplifying report generation, and supporting accurate, timely reporting across all entities. As a result, finance teams spend less time fixing errors and more time using data to make important decisions for a company’s growth.
6 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2025 Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025: Mo Radjab An innovator in fintech, Mo Radjab has been making significant waves across the industry. He is often described. by his peers as a natural strategist and a force to be reckoned with, having played an instrumental role in driving the success of a number of emerging companies. From his expansive network to his unrivalled market expertise to his infectious energy, Mo has certainly established himself as a key player in the fintech sphere and a trusted partner for those seeking financial freedom. Mo’s journey to becoming CEO of Grassfeld was driven by a sole core belief: financial clarity creates freedom. Before founding Grassfeld, he held multiple senior management roles across large international corporate banks – gaining firsthand experience in macroeconomics, leading product teams, managing risks, and lending capital. These positions shaped his perspective on economics, technology, human behaviour, and the structural gaps within the financial system. “I began my career at Robeco,” he recalled, “a well-known private bank in the Netherlands, working with private investors and dealing with large sums of investment capital. Over the years, I noticed a recurring theme: people were not struggling because they lacked ambition; they were struggling because they lacked an accessible financial structure. The tools available were either too technical, too generic, or disconnected from people’s daily reality.” With each bank, Mo built an invaluable foundation in operational discipline, resilience, and product-market fit, all of which he draws upon daily in his current role as the CEO of Grassfeld. This makes the role truly fulfilling for Mo, allowing him to combine every element of his professional background, including product innovation, financial empowerment, scalable technology, and a relentless focus on user outcomes. “Being at the helm of a fast growing fintech company means I must constantly shift between visionary strategy and operational execution,” he shared. “My past experiences taught me how to balance the big picture with the small details, the macro and the micro, which I believe is one of the most underrated skills in modern leadership. I didn’t simply step into the CEO role; I built the foundation for it through years of trial, insight, and belief in a better way to help people manage and worship their money.” “I didn’t simply step into the CEO role; I built the foundation for it through years of trial, insight, and belief in a better way to help people manage and worship their money. ” That is precisely what Grassfeld stands for: redefining how people interact with their money. This fast-scaling American and European fintech firm is dedicated to helping individuals achieve long-term financial wellbeing through innovative, automated, and hyper-personalised money management tools. To this end, the firm’s flagship product is a personal finance platform expertly designed to simplify, optimise, and empower users to manage their income, expenses, savings, debt, and investment – all in one intuitive interface. At its core, Grassfeld’s mission is clear: to give every individual the clarity and control they need to make confident financial decisions. It is with this mission that the firm aims to achieve its ambitious vision of becoming the world’s most trusted and human-centred financial platform, empowering millions of people to build a financially free future, on their own terms. As Mo aptly stated, “Our combination of automation, design simplicity, and deep personalisation provides us our unique edge.” Grassfeld serves a diverse range of users, comprising young professionals, families, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. Though different, many of its users share similar ambitions – financially conscious individuals seeking clarity, control, and confidence in their financial life, but without the complexity of traditional finance apps. This is where Grassfeld differentiates itself from its peers: prioritising the core philosophy of blending simplicity with intelligence. Unlike traditional budgeting tools, Grassfeld offers a proactive financial assistant experience to its users, providing each with intelligent insights, future simulations, and actionable recommendations that innovatively adapt to their personal situation and goals. The platform has received widespread attention, with one of its most highly praised features being the Financial Life Simulator, a forward-looking engine that helps users ask, “What if I…?” and instantly see the future impact of key life choices. “Financial wellbeing should not be reserved for the few with access to advisors; it should be available to everyone, every day, right from their phone. ” Every element of Grassfeld’s functions is centred around the belief that financial wellbeing should be simple, accessible, and intelligently adaptable to the user’s real life. To this end, it operates as more than just a personal finance app, but as an ecosystem for financial clarity and long-term empowerment. It operates with a subscription-based revenue Jun21296 Taking control of your personal finances can be a daunting task, but one grounded in complete necessity. By creating and tracking your income, spendings, and goals, your path to financial freedom will become clearer than ever before. This is a philosophy championed by Grassfeld, a leading Dutch scale-up providing innovative personal finance management technology across Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom. Today, we celebrate Mo Radjab – the visionary CEO of Grassfeld steering the company to excellence. We heard more from Mo below, following his well-deserved recognition in the Global CEO Excellence Awards 2025.
Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025: Mo Radjab
8 | Wealth & Finance Q3 2025 model, offering scalable pricing that fits both the everyday user and the more advanced financial planner. Currently active across Europe with a fast-growing user base, the firm’s strategic focus is now on expansion into North America and building key integrations with savings, credit, and investment partners. The firm’s ongoing strategy is centred around four pillars: hyper personalisation at scale, driven by advanced AI and behavioural analytics to deliver tailored financial recommendations; a cross-platform ecosystem, realised through the launch of Grassfeld Navigator to ensure seamless integration across mobile and desktop experiences; sustainable growth through data intelligence, leveraging anonymised financial data to improve predictive modelling and user experience while maintaining strict GDPR compliance; and community-driven innovation, with regular feedback loops – from surveys to beta programmes – ensuring that users don’t just use Grassfeld, but shape it. While now well-defined, each of these pillars was forged through trial, error, and unrelenting learning. “Building Grassfeld has been one of the most rewarding and demanding journeys of my life,” Mo reflected. “As with any company that aims to disrupt a legacy industry like personal finance, we’ve faced both systemic challenges and breakthrough opportunities, each shaping me as a leader and sharpening our company’s mission.” The personal finance app market is remarkably competitive, with numerous players vying for limited user attention. The biggest challenge for Grassfeld was not launching, however, but standing out. The firm overcame this hurdle by focusing on user transformation, rather than its features. This enabled the team to build Grassfeld to stand as more than a tool – as a trusted financial companion. This shift from utility to empowerment soon became Grassfeld’s shining strategic edge. From there, the firm was faced with the challenge of navigating complex compliance and data regulation. Operating across Europe meant confronting evolving regulations, such as GDPR, PSD2, and national privacy standards. This confronted Grassfeld to build smarter from the very beginning, embedding privacy and security by design – as well as consent and transparency – into each and every layer of the product. Remaining competitive following its establishment required fundraising in a shifting investment climate, and the fintech landscape has fluctuated significantly since 2022. As a result, investor expectations quickly shifted from hypergrowth to sustainable economics. As CEO of Grassfeld, Mo had to take a step back and realign the firm’s fundraising strategy, articulating a clear and credible path to profitability. In turn, this led to stronger investor relationships and healthier financial planning. That’s not to say that the journey hasn’t provided equal prosperity, however, as Mo shared with us the opportunities that have appeared along the way for the team. Grassfeld was an early adopter of AI-driven financial simulations, positioning itself at the very forefront of next-generation personal finance platforms – particularly through its unique “What if I…?” scenario engine. For Grassfeld, artificial intelligence is not merely a feature, but a core enabler of personalised financial guidance at scale. Building upon its early success, Grassfeld’s expansion into North America unlocked new growth potential. Conversely, it also forced the team to quickly adapt to different financial behaviours, regulatory frameworks, and product expectations. This has certainly been a strategic challenge for Grassfeld, but ultimately one that has strengthened its unrivalled global ambition. Now, the global demand for user-friendly, non-intimidating financial apps has-never been higher. This macro trend has validated Grassfeld’s product philosophy and has continued to create expansion opportunities in undeserved markets for the firm, particularly among younger, mobilefirst users. In reflection, Mo noted: “These experiences have made me a more adaptive, resilient, and user-obsessed CEO. I’ve learned to lead with clarity in chaos, precision in strategy, and empathy in decisionmaking. Every challenge sharpened our focus. Every opportunity accelerated our vision.” “Every challenge sharpened our focus. Every opportunity accelerated our vision. ” Innovation is the key to success in this industry, as the fintech sector undergoes a transformative phase marked by both accelerated innovation and heightened industry pressures. Keeping a close eye on the market, Grassfeld has observed a number of significant developments promising to reshape the sector’s development, including the ongoing revolution of generative AI; escalating cybersecurity threats calling for more robust data protection; developments to regulation and open finance; competitive pressure stemming from market maturation; and the need for global expansion and consolidation. In response to these developments, Grassfeld has adopted a number of strategies to rise above. This includes doubling down on advanced cybersecurity, automated privacy safeguards, and transparent AI; embracing open finance to integrate seamlessly with partners, all the while safeguarding user data; following a platform-enabled model that embeds budgeting, savings, credit, and planning tools into one unified interface; recognising that AI-first precision is no longer optional, but essential for delivering secure, personalised insights; and by remaining ready and equipped to scale – not just geographically, but also in offering richer financial services. “I see our industry at a pivotal moment,” Mo told us, “where breakthrough tech meets surging demand, but also stringent oversight. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who combine cutting-edge AI, ironclad security, regulatory excellence, and genuine customer value. That’s precisely where Grassfeld is positioned, and why we’re accelerating our roadmap right now.” Looking ahead, the future of Grassfeld is not just about growth; it’s about global impact. As we enter the second half of 2025 the firm’s vision remains bold: to become the world’s most trusted and human-centred financial platform, helping 100 million people build a future of financial freedom. Following Grassfeld’s successful launch across Europe, the remainder of 2025 will be focused on scaling Grassfeld into North America, into markets that present both opportunity and complexity. Through 2026 and beyond, Grassfeld aims to expand into Asia-Pacific markets, build localised AI models to serve the culturally distinct financial needs of its customers, and launch Grassfeld for SMEs – bringing the same clarity to freelancers and microentrepreneurs. The next era of Grassfeld is rooted in scale, intelligence, and impact. On a mission to
do more than just building features, Grassfeld is shaping the future of financial self-determination, one user at a time. As for Mo, the future is bright – with a number of plans geared towards scaling both Grassfeld and his leadership capabilities, becoming a voice for ethical fintech, and promoting personal growth through mentorship and collaboration. In the long-term, he envisions the launch of a fund or foundation focused on financial wellbeing, youth entrepreneurship, and tech-for-good, aligned with the same values that fuel Grassfeld. One thing is for sure: whether Mo remains at the helm of Grassfeld or launch new ventures in the future, his core mission will remain the same – to empower people with clarity, confidence, and the tools to shape their own future. “For me, success is not a destination; it’s a responsibility,” he shared with us. “Winning Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025 is an incredible honour, but I see it as a milestone, not a finish line. My personal mission is to keep evolving as a leader, expanding not only the impact of Grassfeld but also my ability to empower others, inside and outside the organisation. “None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary people who’ve walked this path with me. I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who have not only believed in the vision but also in me, especially during the moments that tested our resolve. “To Remko Brenters, our brilliant CTO, Lackó Darázsdi, our vigilant CISO, and Ronald van IJsselmuide, our steadfast Finance Director, thank you for your unwavering commitment, sharp insight, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Your partnership has been foundational to everything we’ve built. To the entire Grassfeld team: Your loyalty, patience, and resilience inspire me every day. You are the heartbeat of this company, and I’m endlessly proud to stand alongside you as we shape the future of personal finance. “But above all, I want to thank the one person who grounds me and lifts me all at once, my wife, Demi Radjab-Blok. Through every high and low, she has stood by my side with grace, strength, and unwavering belief. She is not only my greatest supporter, but also my truest motivation. Her presence reminds me, every day, of why I strive for more, not just in business, but in life. This award is a reflection of all of you. Thank you for being part of this journey and being in my life.” Contact: Mo Radjab Company: Grassfeld Inc. Web Address: www.grassfeld.com Most Innovative Financial Wellness CEO 2025: Mo Radjab
Why Many Professional Services CFOs Are Advocating Deliverable-Based Pricing By Tracey Shirtcliff, founder and CEO of SCOPE Better, the Pricing Platform designed for professional services. If anyone in a business understands the importance of a strong pricing strategy, it’s the CFO. You’re acutely aware of the impact that emerging technology, such as AI, ML, and automation is having on billable hours. You’ve seen that they’ve been dropping off for a while and addressing that fact is high on your agenda. But while there’s pressure on you to ensure a sustainable profit and margin, you’re not totally in control of pricing. It’s a frustrating scenario that I’m very familiar with from my conversations with CFOs. And it’s why so many are now advocating a move to a new pricing model. The reasons CFOs have been reassessing pricing In B2B professional services, pricing frequently receives less focus than it should. There’s the terrifying statistic that many spend only six hours on pricing in their lifespan, and that’s often fairly apparent. With pricing used as a tool to secure sales, it’s the CFO who has to balance the falling profit and reduced margins that come as a result of a fight to the bottom to secure what would otherwise be valuable contracts. This happens because most B2B professional services companies lack a strong pricing strategy. Pricing models are selected because they’re the industry standard, rather than because they provide a strong and transparent foundation for the business to work with. That’s never an ideal scenario, but when external pressures mean that a pricing model is no longer even remotely fit for purpose, something has to change. The growing impact of AI There have long been multiple reasons for B2B professional services businesses to reassess their pricing model. Right now, however, AI is forcing their hand. As AI and other emerging tech are beginning to change core business processes – how research is carried out, data is handled,and even how some key creative tasks, such as ideation, are now being managed – companies that rely on the established time/ effort-based pricing model are finding their billable hours falling away. For many, this will inevitably mean a drop in income – unless a new pricing model is adopted. Implementing the ‘right’ pricing model There can never be one single ‘right’ pricing model in B2B. Pricing for professional services work is complex. Consequently, most businesses will deploy multiple pricing models to suit the different arms of the company. This may include subscription, time/effort, and deliverable/solution-based pricing. It’s the latter option that many professional services companies are turning towards now. Based upon the end value of delivered services, deliverable-based pricing – also known as asset, solution, or outcomebased pricing – not only enables businesses to complete their work without reference to the method of completion. It allows them to showcase exactly what they can do, by attributing a set value to the individual elements of the services they offer. This allows clients to really understand what they’re paying for while supporting sales teams in their work to draw up quotes and pitches. It also produces fundamental and transformative benefits for the company as a whole. Selling the benefits of a strong pricing model Pricing impacts almost every area of a business. It’s not just profit, although it clearly plays an important part here, through supporting sales and brand reputation. After all, pricing tends to reflect the quality of a service. It also has an impact on loyalty, because fluctuating prices can lead customers to shop around. When a contract is secured through a ridiculously low opening offer, it will rarely be maintained when it comes to contract renewal if the margin is too low. Then there’s the impact on company culture. A poor pricing strategy makes the work of your sales team harder. It also damages morale if your pricing appears to devalue the work that your teams are doing. While a strong pricing structure removes those problems by providing adequate support and resources to take the stress out of your employees’ jobs. Lastly, there’s the issue of brand differentiation. Pricing isn’t often a point of differentiation in B2B because all the businesses within a set sector typically look the same. When you adopt a new pricing model, however, you gain the potential to adjust the way your business is perceived. With deliverable-based pricing, you have the opportunity to change the way your customers see your business. How to begin the process of implementing deliverable-based pricing Deliverable-based pricing requires that each service a business offers be assigned an individual price. This should always be research-driven, and you may benefit from bringing in external professionals to support the process. However, the initial steps should always be carried out in-house, by the people who know the business best. By using the knowledge and insights of all company stakeholders, you can create a service proposition that genuinely answers the needs of your customers. It’s not going to be a fast process, but the potential dividends are significant, and the businesses that move first will reap the greatest rewards. Once that’s done, all that remains is to introduce the change to your clients. Admittedly, that’s no small thing either, but you may well find a receptive audience. For me, that process would probably start with my friendliest client, and I’d refine the conversation from there. Either way, there’s never been a better time to start. CFOs are in a difficult position, being held responsible for profit but not being given the power to directly manage all of the elements that influence it. With GenAI forcing change in business operations, that position is becoming increasingly more difficult. That’s why many professional services CFOs are now advocating for deliverable-based pricing. It holds the potential to address the challenges of the contemporary business landscape. It will also provide a sustainable foundation for the business to grow and succeed in a highly competitive market.
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Why We Need a New Approach to Startup Funding Dr Ardin Ramani, PhD, founder and CEO of Akadia Group It’s common knowledge that gaining startup funding is hard. Venture capital (VC) has easily become the dominant model, which leaves startups fighting to prove their worth. And only those that fit within the perceived ideals of the established funding norms have any chance to shine. Marginalising and narrowly focused, VC funding is a system without fairness, that is long overdue an overhaul. What’s gone wrong with VC funding Venture capital has dominated the startup landscape for so long that its shortcomings are overlooked. But in prioritising rapid growth and scale over sustainability and inclusion, it serves only a small fraction of businesses. To succeed, startups must position themselves as high-growth, tech-driven disruptors with the potential for massive returns, leaving the socially-driven businesses, and those with founders who don’t fit the expected mould to fend for themselves. As a result, even promising ventures can be excluded from the investment ecosystem, regardless of their long-term potential or the talent of their founders. And even when VC backing is secured, it’s rarely all good news. Founders often give up significant equity and control in exchange for capital, compromising the very vision that inspired them to build their businesses in the first place. The entrepreneurial dream can quickly feel like a trade-off, so it’s no surprise that many startups are now looking for alternatives. Ways to raise capital without surrendering ownership or autonomy. The question is: what funding models can support founders without forcing them to contort themselves into the VC approach? The evolving funding landscape As startups grow increasingly frustrated with the loss of control and systemic biases tied to venture capital, the broader funding environment is also undergoing change. With increased market volatility, rising interest rates, and tighter scrutiny on investments, VC funding is not only harder to access, it’s also losing its appeal for many founders. So, what alternatives exist for startups seeking a more balanced and sustainable funding path? Revenue-based finance Revenue-based finance (RBF)has gained traction in recent years, as a flexible, founder-friendly option. Rather than giving up equity, startups agree to repay investors through a fixed percentage of their monthly revenue until the investment is paid back, typically with a capped return. This approach preserves ownership and aligns investor returns with real business performance, rather than theoretical projections. Strategic angel investment Angel investors present another interesting route. One of their greatest assets is that they often bring more than just money. The right angels offer sector-specific expertise, valuable networks, and mentorship. Compared to traditional VCs, they’re also often more tolerant of experimentation and long-term goals. Crowdfunding Crowdfunding has never been more credible as a source of business funding. By raising funds directly from their communities – often in exchange for early product access or modest equity – startups can build capital while also attracting a loyal, engaged customer base. Part of crowdfunding’s appeal is that it democratises investment. It also holds the potential to attract early brand advocates. Bootstrapping Perhaps the oldest funding model of all, bootstrapping remains a viable option for founders who prefer sustainable, organic growth. While progress may be slower, it allows entrepreneurs to maintain full control of their businesses. The result is often the creation of real, long-term value, rather than inflated investor-pleasing growth. Revisiting blitzscaling Blitzscaling was the favourite funding model of Silicon Valley back in the day, but has recently come under scrutiny. However, it shouldn’t be entirely dismissed. When applied responsibly, ideally with product-market fit and a clear path to profitability, it can still be a useful strategy for growth. It does, however, need to be adopted with caution. Impact-driven funding More recently, we’ve seen growing momentum behind impact-driven funding. These investments aim to deliver both financial returns and measurable positive outcomes in areas such as climate, health, education, and social equity. Unlike traditional VC, this model actively supports startups solving real-world problems. For the ethically minded, this is the only option worth considering, offering a win-win for founders, investors, and the wider community. Are impact and sustainability relevant to funding? For decades, the funding landscape has been marked by inequalities. In 2023, startups founded by women received just 2% of all VC investment. And the picture becomes even more concerning when you look at minority founders – between 2009 and 2019, only 0.24% of venture capital funding went to black founders, with black women experiencing some of the poorest outcomes. These figures reflect more than just oversight; they point to deep-seated biases throughout the industry. And that has to change. Incorporating impact and sustainability into funding decisions could help reshape the narrative and rebalance the system. When investors look beyond speed and scale to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes, they’re more likely to support businesses focused on long-term value, risk management, and stakeholder benefit. These are not just ethical advantages, they’re strategic ones too. Venture capital still has a role to play. But it’s no longer viable or fair for VC to be treated as the default or gold standard. Founders deserve a funding ecosystem that reflects the diversity of business goals and models. Because, when it comes down to it, not every startup is chasing unicorn status. Some are content to grow steadily, serve their communities, and create meaningful, lasting impact. And they’re the mainstays of any financial ecosystem, building resilience that also delivers real-world value. It’s time the funding world evolved to recognise this.
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