Strategic Advisor  |  Interim & Fractional CFO

Helping Founders Take Charge of Their Startup’s Destiny

You don't have to navigate your hardest inflection points alone. With 25+ years of C-suite experience as a 5x startup CFO and President, I partner with founders to scale operations, raise capital, execute M&A processes, and pivot to profitability.

Eric Ashman

You Need An Experienced Operator On Your Side

Advice from the sidelines isn't enough when the stakes are high. I bring firsthand operating experience to your hardest decisions:

  • Raised $250M+ in equity and debt across multiple stages and market cycles, structuring rounds that support growth and protect founder control.
  • Built highly scalable teams through hyper-growth, turning early product-market fit into disciplined unit economics and repeatable execution.
  • Led $315M+ in M&A, including a strategic company sale and a complex four-company merger.
  • Executed complex operational turnarounds and restructurings, reducing burn, strengthening margins, and charting a clear path to profitability.
Proud Member of Greentown Labs

Supporting the world's leading climatetech incubator community.

Cleantech Open Mentor

Guiding early-stage cleantech startups through commercialization and scale.

How I Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

Scalable Growth

Product-market fit is a constantly moving target. We’ll refine your pricing, unit economics, and operating model to turn early traction into repeatable scale.

Funding Your Vision

Equity, debt, non-dilutive capital, and cash flow. We’ll build the capital strategy, financial model, and investor narrative to secure the right funding for your growth.

Exit Strategy

When to raise, when to scale, and when to sell. From positioning the business to running a disciplined M&A process, we’ll work together to maximize value.

Pivot to Profitability

When you’re no longer Default Investable, let’s pivot to Default Alive. Extend your runway, reach cash-flow breakeven, and build a durable business on your own terms.

How We Work Together

Strategy Sprints

Intensive, hands-on engagements designed to tackle a single high-stakes challenge, align your leadership team, and build an actionable plan you can execute immediately.

  • Duration: 60 days.
  • Outcome: A clear strategic roadmap and execution playbook.
Inquire About Sprints

Fractional & Interim Leadership

When advice isn’t enough, I step directly into your leadership team as Fractional CFO or Interim CFO / President to own the function, drive execution, and shoulder the operational burden alongside you.

  • Duration: Ongoing fractional or 3–6+ month interim.
  • Outcome: Hands-on executive leadership, financial rigor, and disciplined execution.
Discuss Leadership Roles

Strategic Advisory

An ongoing, high-support, high-challenge partnership for CEOs who have a team in place to execute, but want an experienced operator in their corner for the biggest calls.

  • Duration: Ongoing monthly retainer.
  • Outcome: Sharper decisions, stronger board alignment, and fewer blind spots.
Inquire About Advisory

What Founders Say

theSkimm Logo

"Eric stepped into the president role during a pivotal leadership transition and immediately brought structure, stability, and momentum to the team. During an intense and high-stakes period for the business, he was a trusted strategic sounding board and a steady hand at the helm. His guidance was especially invaluable as we navigated the final stages of our acquisition. We couldn't have asked for a stronger partner during such a critical time."

— Carly & Danielle, Co-Founders, theSkimm
Nurture Genomics Logo

"Eric's lived experience across every facet of the startup journey has given me invaluable perspective. Our discussions were cathartic, reassuring me that the wild swings in a startup are normal and not mine to endure alone. He consistently arrives well-prepared and zeroes in on the central issues. I recommend him to any founder without hesitation."

— Hans Keil, Co-Founder, Nurture Genomics
M.M.LaFleur Logo

"Eric is the partner that every founder needs. He is part business coach, part therapist, part mentor. My company couldn't have made it to the other side without his help. I'm indebted to him."

— Sarah LaFleur, Founder, M.M.LaFleur
Thingtesting Logo

"Every call with Eric delivered incredibly strategic advice that left me with clear action items and a stronger sense of direction. These were among the most productive hours of the month, truly worth every minute for the hands-on experience and invaluable insights on pivots, fundraising, or any large strategic decision."

— Jenny Gyllander, Founder, Thingtesting