Leighton Smith
Fractional CFO at EarthGrid PBC
Leighton Smith
Fractional CFO at EarthGrid PBC
San Francisco, California
Overview
Work Experience
Fractional CFO
2024 - Current
Founder & CEO
2019
Helping early-stage, aspirational start-ups achieve VC readiness and raise up to the next capitalization stage at the maximum possible valuation. Our team offers support in financial planning and execution, vendor and internal performance management & optimization, accounting, tax, compliance, audit, M&A, and IPO. We also cover fundraising (non-dilutive, debt, and equity), as well as investor relations, investor reporting, cap-table management, and other crucial aspects like pitching, sales, marketing, and brand communications. RECENT CASE STUDIES - $1M Seed round within 2 months - Revenue 2x increase to $2M in under 18 months - Over $9M raised by 1 client in the last 3 years - $1M raise for a 600K target round - M&A: Sold 2-year start-up to large S/W co’ for $10M - $1M in startup funding portfolio - Government funding (ERTC, PPP, EIDL, Grants) totaling $3M - Alchemist Alum, Recommended to Alchemist Accelerator - International start-ups expansion in the US
Business Mentor
2015
Alchemist Accelerator is the World's Best Accelerater for Startups that monetize from Enterprises with the Best Enterprise Mentor & Investor Network. 300+ Startups accelerated, 52% Startups Funded after Graduating. $1.2bn+ Total Funding.
Financial Advisor
2016
Our patented SEAVIOR™ system uses no fresh water, no arable land, and no harsh chemicals. It produces no waste and generates a much smaller carbon footprint than any other protein manufacturer. Raised $9m equity through multiple rounds over 3 years.
Chief Financial Officer
2023 - 2024
Board Member
2019 - 2023
Aurelius Data is the first global big data company using Deep Learning to analyze, predict, and find new cures, market trends, and IP in plant-based medicine markets. Built the financial model and helped create an investor pitch deck to raise $500k seed funding
Chief Financial Officer
2019 - 2021
SOS is a next-generation solution for hydration that supports lifestyle and daily wellness. I set-up the financial infrastructure with which to operate efficiently, doubled revenue and helped raise $2m from multiple rounds over an 18 month period.
Fractional CFO
2020 - 2021
Raised 50% of target funding by month 2 and 120% of target funds raised in 6 months. As their CFO I created a financial model to reflect OmniBev's business outlook, used that model to express the projected growth to potential investors. I set up their captable to reflect all inestments and with the new funds, OmniBev was able to increase revenue by a factor 5X within 9 months.
Investor & Financial Advisor
2015 - 2021
Group CFO
2019 - 2019