Fractional CFO for deep tech: finance R&D stages and track runway
A Fractional CFO for deep tech helps management connect research and development stages with the financial resources required. The model distinguishes committed spending, revenue assumptions and confirmed funding so decisions can be prepared before cash comes under pressure.
Translate technical milestones into a budget
The budget details teams, subcontracting, equipment and tests by project. Each technical milestone is associated with required spending and the conditions for proceeding to the next stage.
Scenarios measure the impact of a development delay or an additional expense. Cash burn and runway (FR) are calculated using explicit assumptions, reviewed with technical management.
Distinguish secured funding from hoped-for funding
An applied-for grant, a conditional disbursement and received funds do not have the same degree of certainty. The cash plan identifies these differences and the schedule for supporting documents.
The CFO coordinates financial documentation for grants and research programmes with qualified specialists. Eligibility and amounts are not presumed: they must be checked against the company's circumstances.
Prepare fundraising and investor discussions
Fundraising support includes a consistent financial model, funding scenarios and a clear explanation of the use of funds.
The due diligence data room (FR) brings together financial documents and model assumptions. Management retains a record of versions and responses sent to investors.
Set up reporting after funding
Project budget: track spending incurred, committed and still to be financed.
Cash: reconcile bank balances, payment dates and runway scenarios.
Governance: share variances and trade-offs with management and investors, without confusing a technical objective with an achieved result. Finance tools are chosen according to these needs.
Example budget by R&D milestone
| Item | Required data | Consequence to test |
|---|---|---|
| Technical stage | Deliverable and validation criterion | Cost of postponing the test |
| Committed spending | Contracts, teams and equipment | Cash still to be paid |
| Confirmed funding | Amount, conditions and schedule | Possible disbursement delay |
| Applied-for funding | Status and dependencies | Scenario without approval |
The following table illustrates a management structure without client data or assumed secured funding. Every budget line must identify an owner, a degree of certainty and a review date.
If a test is postponed, technical management specifies the additional resources needed. Finance recalculates the cash requirement and presents options: defer spending, adjust the programme or seek funding. Applied-for support remains separate from the funded scenario until its conditions are confirmed.
Scope the engagement and choose support
The scope is defined from available data, deadlines and decisions to make. An initial conversation clarifies deliverables, their frequency and the role of internal teams.
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