Toptal Finance Blog

The Toptal Finance Blog is a hub for in-depth studies and analysis on all facets of finance, ranging from innovative strategies on raising capital to detailed coverage of new finance trends and technologies.

authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

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authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

Tell a Compelling Story: Pitch Deck Components That Persuade

To persuade investors to fund your startup, your pitch deck must do more than present a solid business case. It must generate an emotional response.

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Brian Nichol

Brian is a seasoned finance expert who has held multiple corporate SVP roles and has been a consultant for startups seeking advice on fundraising and valuing their businesses. Having successfully raised seed capital for his own startup, he has a deep understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of starting a business.

The New Risk Management Playbook: Black Swans and the Rise of Scenario Analysis

Want a risk management strategy that fosters resilience and reveals new opportunities? Shift your focus from predicting events to preparing for impacts.

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Michael J. McDonald

Michael is an award-winning journalist who has worked at Bloomberg News and Thomson Financial. He is a Senior Writer for Toptal’s Finance Blog.

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An Effective ROI Framework for Developing a Work-From-Anywhere Policy

As workers increasingly prioritize flexible working arrangements, Toptal finance expert John Lee suggests a strategy to help employers balance the potential risks and rewards of offering a WFA option.

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John Lee

John Lee is the co-founder of The Work From Anywhere Team. He advises corporations and individuals on how to solve for tax complexity and other regulatory risks in an increasingly geomobile remote working environment. John has worked across EMEA, APAC, and the US, and has been a remote worker himself. He’s a chartered accountant and has held senior roles for global multinationals, including CRH.

Bots for Finance: How to Increase Back-office Efficiency Through Automation

Automating basic financial functions can save your company time and money and free your employees from tedious rote tasks. Toptal finance expert Miklos Lukacs explains how building a simple Python bot can streamline your business.

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Miklos Lukacs, CFA

Miklos is highly experienced in finance processes, fintech, and Python programming. In addition to being a Toptal finance expert and software developer, he is the director of the structured finance consulting company Pylink Ltd.

The Evolution of Venture Capital: Investing in Global Talent

By adopting a global talent acquisition strategy, venture capital not only extends the opportunities of entrepreneurship across the world, it helps startups reduce churn and break even faster.

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Erik Stettler

Erik is a co-founder of a global venture capital fund that has invested in 50 startups (raising more than $500 million) and has realized six exits. He serves as Toptal’s Chief Economist.

Successful SaaS Fundraising: Navigating the Evolving Landscape

Investors have been pouring capital into SaaS startups. But that doesn’t mean raising funds is easy. This guide to finding the right financing options can help lead you to the treasure in this tricky terrain.

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Julio C. Ortiz

Julio has more than 25 years of diversified experience as a finance VP for multinational companies in a number of industries. Over the last five years, he has focused primarily on helping owners of early- to mid-stage SaaS and e-commerce startups raise funds to successfully grow their companies. Julio’s experience includes financial planning and modeling, business plan development, company valuation, fundraising, and strategic leadership.

What Is Bitcoin Mining? How It Works and What It Takes to Make It Pay

Bitcoin mining is still strong in North America, sparking new revenue opportunities for companies with access to cheap power, especially renewables. Learn about the risks as well as the rewards.

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Dhruv Tandan

Dhruv is a veteran finance expert who has worked on fundraising and consulting projects worth more than $1 billion. His work focuses on cryptocurrency, energy, technology, food, and life science projects around the globe.

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Neil Portus | CFA, CMA

Neil is a CFO for growth companies and a former equity analyst at Goldman Sachs in NY where he helped lead numerous transactions including Zipcar's $1.1 billion IPO. He was also an equity analyst at Barclays Capital & Lehman Brothers and began his career at a boutique investment bank (M&A, restructuring, debt financings). He's built his operational skills both as a startup founder and as the CFO of an East Africa-focused impact investment firm.

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