Arjun is available for hire
Hire ArjunArjun Batra
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
New York, NY, United States
Toptal Member Since
February 16, 2020
Arjun has executed nearly 30 debt, equity, M&A, and capital raising transactions worth over $2 billion, across the developed and emerging markets. He has worked at leading investment firms (Houlihan Lokey, BlackRock), and at several startups, both as a co-founder and in other leadership roles. Arjun enjoys freelancing as it allows him to use his diverse transactional and operational experience to help companies achieve their growth potential.
Career Highlights
Co-CEO
AppHub
Vice President
BlackRock
Education Highlights
Bachelor's Degree
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor's Degree
University of Pennsylvania
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Financial Consultant
2019 - PRESENT
Independent Consulting
- Advised startups and mid-size companies in the financial services, fintech, and technology industries on initiatives that included planning, forecasting and budgeting, investment strategy, fundraising, sales growth, and profitability enhancements.
- Served as interim CFO for a fintech startup during its seed round with responsibilities including fundraising, FP&A, and implementing financial processes, helping the company to secure $400,000 from angel investors.
- Acted as the part-time CFO for a U.S.-based fintech lender during its debt raise, with responsibilities including fundraising, pitch deck preparation, and FP&A. Helped secure term sheets for debt financing.
Focus areas: Profitability Analysis, CFO, Equity, Debt Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Growth Strategy, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Investments, Consumer Finance, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Private Credit, Private Equity, Entity Selection & Formation, Credit Risk, Risk Management
Co-CEO
2021 - 2023
AppHub
- Launched and grew AppHub from zero to $30+ million in revenue and 200+ people in less than two years. It was driven by M&A and new product growth.
- Raised $200+ million of equity and debt capital from private equity and other institutional investors.
- Oversaw finance, customer success, operations, HR, marketing, and strategy.
- Closed nine acquisitions of eCommerce SaaS and other software companies.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy, CEO, Operations, Growth Strategy, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Technology, Private Equity, Fundraising Strategy, eCommerce, Entity Selection & Formation, Search Fund Expert, Risk Management
Advisor
2020 - 2021
FarmTogether
- Advised about a tech-enabled farmland investment platform, playing a key role in capital markets strategy and development.
- Developed the company's capital markets roadmap, investor pitch deck, and other marketing materials.
- Spearheaded the launch of a $50-to-$100-million open-end fund vehicle that will make farmland investments in the US. Oversaw investor outreach, facilitating due diligence and other aspects of the process.
Focus areas: Negotiation, Structuring, Fundraising, Capital Markets, Investments, United States, Technology, Fundraising Strategy
Entrepreneur in Residence
2020 - 2021
Applico
- Recruited into the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program for the world's first platform innovation company.
- Advised C-suite executives of Fortune 100 firms and multibillion-dollar companies on building and scaling platform businesses.
- Led feasibility studies, market research, financial modeling, and client presentations to make recommendations to key stakeholders.
Focus areas: Management Consulting, Business Planning, C-suite, Pitch Decks, Financial Modeling, Consulting, United States, Technology
Director of Capital Markets
2019 - 2021
Fvndit
- Led the capital raising efforts for a Vietnam-focused P2P lending platform as it looks to raise its first institutional credit facility and growth equity capital.
- Updated the financial model and business plan to incorporate new funding initiatives and growth plans. Led and facilitated investor outreach, due diligence, structuring, and negotiations.
- Sourced term sheets for $5-$10 million of debt financing from credit funds. Set up a structure that can scale to $50-$100 million in the next two years. Actively engaged in due diligence with investors.
- Made regular recommendations on business strategy, growth initiatives, and profitability. Conducted an extensive profitability-and-unit-economic analysis to determine core customer segments to target.
Focus areas: Business Planning, P2P, Lending, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Asset-based Lending, Credit Analysis, Venture Capital, Capital Structuring, Capital Raising, Investments, Consumer Finance, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Technology, Private Credit, Credit Risk, Risk Management
VP of Finance and Operations
2020 - 2020
Envizzo
- Led finance and operations for a B2B marketplace that connects real estate operators to turnkey furnishing solutions. The company was acquired by Aaron's Company (NYSE: AAN) in 2020.
- Oversaw a company's financial and operating activities, including monthly reporting, working capital management, procurement, and logistics.
- Revamped the financial model for internal decision-making and external fundraising efforts.
- Oversaw the collection effort for nearly $1 million of accounts receivable and restructured vendor payables, enhancing the company's cash position by nearly $500,000.
- Led the company's COVID-19 response effort, including streamlining expenses and operational inefficiencies and securing a critical PPP loan to extend the runway.
- Served as part of the senior management team and regularly weighed in on company strategy and other critical decisions.
Focus areas: Strategy, Operations Analytics, Fundraising, Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), United States, CFO, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Technology
Co-founder | Chief Investment Officer
2015 - 2019
Lendable
- Launched and scaled a fintech credit platform focused on alternative lending opportunities in emerging markets (primarily Africa and South East Asia), opening up a new asset class for investors.
- Led the investment team (eight FTEs), overseeing all aspects of investment strategy, origination, credit, and risk management.
- Structured and raised over $40 million in asset-backed lending programs from credit funds, family offices, and impact investors. Structured a closed-end fund vehicle with a target size of $100 million.
- Deployed over $40 million to non-bank lending platforms in emerging markets, primarily via debt instruments such as senior secured credit facilities, term loans, and whole loan purchase agreements.
- Managed the portfolio post-investment to deliver 14% IRR during my tenure.
- Helped, alongside CEO, raise over $7 million in seed and Series A financings from notable VC funds.
- Led strategy and finance projects, including the development of financial projections, analysis of unit economics and overall profitability, etc., recommending changes to the Board regularly.
Focus areas: Capital Raising, Business Strategy, Lending, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Consumer Lending, Alternative Investments, Structured Finance, Cash Flow Modeling, Asset-based Lending, Private Credit, Investment Monitoring, Investment Decision-making, Investment Strategy, Due Diligence, Investments, CFO, Consumer Finance, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Technology, Private Equity, Fundraising Strategy, Entity Selection & Formation, Credit Risk, Risk Management
Vice President
2010 - 2015
BlackRock
- Led numerous M&A and other investment transactions. Oversaw all aspects of deal execution, including financial analysis, due diligence, structuring, negotiations, and documentation.
- Oversaw the firm's inorganic fintech strategy, sourcing and executing transactions with fintech companies across marketplace lending, robo-advisory, payments, and electronic trading.
- Promoted to vice president on the fast track (<5% of employees at the firm).
- Made recommendations to C-level executives on various corporate finance and strategic initiatives, including stock buybacks, capital structure, business expansion, and new product/market entry.
Focus areas: Valuation Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Investment Decision-making, Business Development, Joint Ventures, Strategic Partnerships, Fintech, Corporate Finance, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), Due Diligence, United States, Consumer Finance, Debt Restructuring, Credit Risk
Financial Analyst
2009 - 2010
Houlihan Lokey
- Advised middle-market and Fortune 500 companies on M&A, private placements, and debt restructuring transactions.
- Created valuation models, information memoranda, and legal documentation and oversaw the entire transaction execution process, including investor outreach, due diligence, and final negotiations.
- Served as the lead analyst on a $65 million merger of two medical device companies, a $210 million debt restructuring of a cutting-edge laser business, and a private placement transaction for a publicly listed BDC.
- Created valuation opinions for a variety of situations, including M&A deals, collateral value assessments, and business reorganizations.
Focus areas: Valuation Modeling, Private Placements, Debt Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), Due Diligence, United States
Education
2004 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA, USA
2004 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in Finance
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA, USA