Bling Capital Navigating Diligence Series: The D+ Financial Model

We just published the next post in our Bling Capital Navigating Diligence Series: “The D+ Financial Model”. Free template in the comments! 👉 https://lnkd.in/emGDHbCp I'm really excited to share this one. When I was a founder, I used to think financial models were something you built after you hired a CFO — not something you could (or should) do yourself, specially at the pre-seed. “We don’t even have revenue yet, what’s the point?” Now on the investor side, I’ve realized the point is clarity, not precision. A D+ model (what we call the quick-and-dirty, 30–60 minute version) helps founders answer the most important question in diligence (and in operating): “How much money do you need, over what period, to achieve which goals?” 🧮 It’s designed for pre-seed and seed founders (the framework works for later stage too) — no finance lead required, cash-based (not GAAP), and simple enough to build yourself (esp. with our template—linked in comments) 💡 Key takeaways: * Focus on costs first, founders control spend more than revenue at this stage * Gross profit reduces burn, not just top-line revenue * Start lean and “earn the right to burn” once you’ve proven product-market fit * Check your sanity: growth, hiring pace, and runway must tie together * Use our simple mad-libs template for modeling The goal isn’t an A+ spreadsheet — it’s a D+ model that clearly communicates your assumptions, capital plan, and milestones. Read the full post and grab the template here 👇 https://lnkd.in/emGDHbCp

We call this the "D+ financial model" -- how to build a financial model for your seed stage company in 30 minutes that captures the most important drivers

We just published the next post in our Bling Capital Navigating Diligence Series: “The D+ Financial Model”. Free template in the comments! 💡 Key takeaways: * Focus on costs first, founders control spend more than revenue at this stage * Gross profit reduces burn, not just top-line revenue * Start lean and “earn the right to burn” once you’ve proven product-market fit * Check your sanity: growth, hiring pace, and runway must tie together * Use our simple mad-libs template for modeling Read the full post and grab the template here 👇 https://lnkd.in/emGDHbCp

A financial model is more than a set of spreadsheets — it is the foundation upon which a startup’s strategic decisions, investor conversations, and growth forecasts are built. A dynamic financial model goes beyond static assumptions. It gives founders and decision-makers the flexibility to test different business scenarios, anticipate funding requirements, and understand how changes in key drivers — such as pricing, costs, or customer growth — impact overall performance. At its core, a well-designed model should integrate three critical elements: ✅ Accurate assumptions: Clear, data-driven inputs around revenue drivers, cost structure, and capital requirements. ✅ Interconnected statements: A cohesive structure linking profit & loss, balance sheet, and cash flow to reflect the real flow of financial activity. ✅ Scenario analysis: The ability to model best, base, and worst-case projections, ensuring preparedness for market shifts. Beyond the numbers, a strong model tells a story — one that demonstrates financial viability, strategic direction, and investor readiness. It becomes a communication tool that supports credibility and builds confidence in your business’s long-term potential. At Leonine Investment Services, we specialize in designing dynamic, flexible, and investor-ready financial models that help startups turn assumptions into actionable insights. Our approach ensures that your model evolves with your business — not against it. #FinancialModeling #StartupFinance #BusinessPlanning #InvestorReady #LeonineInvestment #FinancialStrategy

Founders often tell me there’s no clear way to judge funding readiness. So we built a scorecard for it. (specifically Series A) Founders hope they’re Series A-ready. But only a few can really prove it. This stage is when investors stop listening to promises. And start looking for proof. I’ve seen how difficult this stage can be. Even strong founders can misjudge the timing. Some go out too early. They’re lifted by a burst of traction. But the numbers don’t hold together under pressure. Others wait longer. They build evidence quarter after quarter. And walk into the room prepared. The difference usually comes down to four things: 🟩 Capital efficient growth 🟩 Repeatable sales that work beyond the founder 🟩 A team that can handle the next stage 🟩 A story tied to real traction in the market You don't need all 4 to raise. At different stages, few founders do. Just know your strengths, and what’s in progress. That’s why I believe it’s worth taking the extra six months. Strengthen your foundations first. Rushing into a raise too early without addressing the above 4 points creates pain later. Valuation pressure. Stretched teams. Growth targets the business isn’t built to hit. Use this to pressure-test your readiness. What else would you add?

Financial Planning — The Most Overlooked Part of Building a Startup You may have a world-changing idea, but it can only change the world if it’s backed by a solid financial forecast. Most founders underestimate how important financial planning is. A detailed financial forecast is not just a spreadsheet, it’s a mirror that shows whether your business is actually scalable and sustainable. Start with your assumptions, the ones you can derive from your market research: • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) • Lifetime Value (LTV) • Churn rate • Revenue per user, and more Once you have these, build a financial projection for the first 3 years, ideally with a month-by-month breakdown. Yes, it’s hard work. But once you do it, you’ll gain clarity on questions every founder faces: • Is my business model scalable? • When will I need to raise funds — and how much? • Which revenue streams are worth pursuing? Before creating your pitch deck, figure out your revenue streams and build a solid financial model around them. A great financial forecast doesn’t just impress investors, it helps you understand your business better than anyone else. It’s the foundation that turns a great idea into a truly successful venture.

Just read an insightful piece on pre-money valuation that reminded me of conversations I've had with founders this week. Here's the thing about pre-money valuation that most miss: it's not just a number—it's the cornerstone of your entire funding round. Too high? Investors might walk. Too low? You're giving away too much of your company. The balancing act is finding that sweet spot where both you and investors feel like you're getting a fair deal. But the factors driving this aren't always obvious: • Market potential (size and growth trajectory) • Your team's experience (investors bet on jockeys, not just horses) • Product stage (idea vs. prototype vs. revenue-generating) • Competitive landscape and your unique edge I've seen too many founders fixate on a number without understanding these underlying drivers. Even more concerning: the confusion between SAFEs, caps, and how they impact your cap table down the road. At Meld, we help founders navigate these waters with clarity and confidence. Because valuation isn't just about today's funding—it's about preserving your future options, potential QSBS benefits, and long-term control. What valuation challenges are you facing with your startup? #StartupValuation #VentureCapital #409A https://lnkd.in/gr4UuSty

Last week, you probably hit at least one of these headaches: → 3 days of chasing receipts. → Spreadsheet formulas breaking. → Sending out messages like: “who has the invoice for this €129 charge??” Quarter-end accounting is a mess. No founder likes to do it. Transactions get reconciled after the fact and by the time you “close the books,” your insights are already stale. But it’s 2025. Why are we still running startups like it’s 1999? If your financial insights only come at the end of the quarter, you’re always playing catch-up. The cost isn’t just stress. It’s missed opportunities. Poor cash flow decisions. Founders succeed not by closing the books faster, but by running their business with clarity and foresight. See what’s happening in real time, so you can act before the problem becomes a crisis.

Every founder faces this moment at some point: “Do we really need a finance person right now?” In the early days, it never feels urgent. Every dollar goes into product development, user acquisition, and growth initiatives. Finance feels like something you handle later. But here's what I've learned: The absence of finance doesn't scream for attention; it whispers. ⛔️ It shows up when your data stops matching your gut. ❌️ When your business plan feels disconnected from reality. ⁉️ When investor questions catch you off guard and you scramble for answers. Finance is the system that makes growth understandable; And scalable. ✴️ It turns noise into signals. ✅️ A few hours of expert guidance each week can change how you see your entire business. 🔆 It gives you the clarity to make confident decisions instead of crossing your fingers and hoping. Because consistent reporting doesn’t just show where you are; it helps you understand how you got here and where to focus next. The question isn’t whether you need finance support. The question is whether you can afford to keep flying blind. Can you? #startups #finance #founders #growth #scaling

The Art of Building a Financial Model . . . Every time I share my work with founders and investors, the most common question I get is - “How do you make your financial models so detailed and clean?” Here’s my secret art behind building a robust and detailed financial model 👇 It’s not about fancy formulas. It’s about thinking like a founder of that particular business, understanding what investors truly care about, and structuring like an operator. When I start any model, I follow a simple yet strict process - inspired by and aligned with the best practices suggested by Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI) : 1️⃣ Understand the business model deeply I never start in Excel. I start by asking myself: Why is this model being built? What are the revenue drivers and funnels for each segment? What costs truly scale with growth? Which KPIs matter most to investors? Clarity here defines everything that follows. 2️⃣ Architect the flow I map the entire model layout: Assumptions → Calculations → Outputs → Dashboard A clean flow = easy navigation + faster decision-making. 3️⃣ Keep every assumption traceable Every number has a source - historicals, market data, or management logic. No “random” entries. Ever. 4️⃣ Build flexibility in My models are designed for change. One tweak in price, CAC, or churn should ripple across automatically. 5️⃣ End with storytelling Because numbers alone don’t raise capital - the way they tell your growth story does. Over the last few years, I’ve built 100+ financial models across fintech, SaaS, consumer, and renewable energy - and one thing never changes: 👉 Clarity beats complexity. If you’re a founder, advisor, or VC who values that kind of precision and want a financial model like you’ve never seen before, let’s connect. I’m continuously innovating and refining this art - to make every financial model more dynamic, intuitive, and investor-ready. 🎥 I’ve attached a short video showcasing one of our financial models - bringing all of this art to life. 💬 If you’d like to see this art, comment below your email ID - I’ll personally share the sample financial model with you. #FinancialModeling #StartupFinance #Fundraising #FinArchAdvisory #Valuation #InvestorReady #Finance