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Aaron Chockla, Finance Expert in Chicago, IL, United States
Aaron Chockla

Finance Expert in Chicago, IL, United States

Member since August 29, 2019
An award-winning entrepreneur and active venture capital investor, Aaron enjoys freelancing to leverage broad expertise in business (MBA–Kellogg), law (JD—Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law), and science and engineering (Ph.D.—University of Texas at Austin) to help companies raise capital, scale operations, and develop marketing and corporate strategy.
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Career Highlights

Education

Case studies

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Industry Expertise

  • Energy, Utilities & Waste
  • Venture Capital & Private Equity
  • Real Estate
  • Financial Modeling
  • Startups
  • Early-stage Startups
  • Sustainability

Other Expertise

Employment

  • Financial Consultant

    2019 - PRESENT
    Financial Consultant
    • Developed waterfall analysis model for a complex cap table consisting of six prior investment rounds (pre-seed, seed, and Series A through D) and four separate levels of equity priority along with the flexibility to evaluate scenarios for two future funding rounds (Series E and F) for an investment fund evaluating a follow-on funding opportunity.
    • Provided strategic guidance on pitch deck development and framing/messaging for engaging investors for multiple startups seeking seed and Series A investment.
    • Developed a portfolio-level financial model for an early-stage venture fund to evaluate investment opportunities and expected returns under various portfolio mixes.
    Focus areas: Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Cap Tables, Financial Modeling, Waterfall Development, Three Statement Operating Model, Startups, Venture Capital

  • Investment Professional

    2016 - PRESENT
    True North Venture Partners
    • Developed investment theses in strategic investment verticals, including energy (e.g., solar, waste heat, storage, geothermal power), water, the circular economy (upgrading CO2 and waste streams), and mobility.
    • Developed three-statement financial models driven by technology and market economics to evaluate investment opportunities.
    • Led deep-dive due diligence efforts on financial modeling, markets, technology, policy, and start-ups in target investment verticals.
    • Sourced strategic investment opportunities by identifying and developing networks with leading researchers, start-up executives, and technology incubators in target market and technology areas (e.g., energy, water, chemicals, and fuels).
    • Supported portfolio companies with operational, marketing, and policy analysis (e.g., analyzed supply chain issue for a critical raw material, evaluated carbon pricing policies for biofuels, and evaluated opportunities in waste markets to drive key strategic decisions for portfolio companies).
    • Conducted strategic market research and developed financial operating model to help a portfolio company secure a $5 million AUD grant (~$4 million USD).
    Focus areas: Market Research, Energy, CleanTech, Clean Energy, Venture Capital, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Strategy, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling

  • Senior Consultant

    2013 - PRESENT
    Foresight Science and Technology
    • Evaluated commercial viability of novel technologies in the materials science and medical device / healthcare space through primary and secondary research on topics related to competitive landscape (market, technology, commercial, IP, etc.) and communicate findings via in-depth memos.
    • Developed three-statement financial and techno-economic models for fundraising purposes as well as to guide strategic decision making.
    • Developed cap table and waterfall analysis to evaluate investment opportunities for early stage startups seeking pre-seed and seed investment.
    Focus areas: Market Research, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Strategy, Fundraising

  • Co-founder and CEO

    2013 - 2016
    Stealth-mode Startup Company
    • Negotiated non-dilutive funding through a sponsored research agreement with a strategic commercial partner.
    • Authored commercialization proposals to secure non-dilutive funding through government research grants.
    • Developed three-statement financial models driven by techno-economic and KPI assumptions for external fundraising efforts along with internal strategic decision making.
    • Developed partnerships, research plans, IP strategy, and commercialization plan and oversaw relationships with third-party providers (i.e., legal and accounting).
    • Awarded Forbes 30 Under 30 in Energy (30 Under 30 is a set of lists issued annually by Forbes Magazine recognizing emerging leaders in business and industry figures).
    • Developed pitch decks and present to investors, at pitch competitions, and business plan competitions, successfully securing external investment.
    Focus areas: Clean Energy, Energy, CleanTech, Startup Funding, Startups, Commercialization, Intellectual Property, R&D, Operations Analytics, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategy, Financial Modeling

Other Experience

  • Are Million-dollar Markets Better Than Billion-dollar Markets? (Publication)
    https://www.toptal.com/finance/market-sizing/billion-dollar-market
    Entrepreneurs have been hardcoded to aim at billion-dollar sized markets with their solutions. However, such lucrative markets will appeal to many others and thus, are hard to succeed in. Going after smaller market sizes may be the more logical path to success.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance
    2016 - 2018
    Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management - Evanston, IL
  • Juris Doctor (JD) in Law
    2015 - 2018
    Northwestern University - Pritzker School of Law - Chicago, IL
  • Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering
    2007 - 2012
    University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
  • Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering
    2007 - 2009
    University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering
    2003 - 2007
    University of Delaware - Newark, DE

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