Ryan Downie
Finance Expert
Location
Flagstaff, AZ, United States
Toptal Member Since
August 22, 2016
Ryan left the hedge fund equity research world to found Montane Consulting, a practice specializing in startups, growth, and exiting planning. Since then, Ryan has helped clients raise more than $150 million in early-stage capital. Ryan's duties are generally fractional strategic financial director/CFO and fundraising advisor.
Ryan is available for hire
Hire RyanCareer Highlights
Financial Consultant
Montane Consulting
Founder
Garden State Mobile Vending
Research Analyst
Noble Equity Fund
Education
Bachelor's Degree
University of Notre Dame
Select Certifications
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Advertising & MarketingVenture Capital & Private EquityeCommerceFinancial ModelingStartupsP&L ForecastingOther Expertise
DCF ValuationEquity ResearchFinancial ModelingPortfolio AnalysisStartup FundingStartup Funding ConsultantValuationWork Experience
2014 - PRESENT
Financial Consultant
Montane Consulting
- Provided early-stage counseling on FP&A, modeling, business plan creation, investor identification, pitches, and terms.
- Served over 100 clients, including Neura Health, MyHouseBy, Populus Media, Allio Fintech, Women at the Helm, Larabee, VoxSnap, Daily Haloha, FireBrand Group, 82 Stories, and Gift Me Chic.
- Helped clients to receive more than $150 million in funding offers from VC, PE, angel, and private investors.
- Facilitated growth for multiple clients from $1 million in revenue to more than $10 million.
- Developed a proprietary intrinsic equity valuation tool that was deployed by hedge fund clients.
- Published over 600 times by Investopedia, Benzinga, ExpressWriter, Fool, and Toptal.
- Developed employee compensation plans to attract and retain the high-level talent required to scale rapidly.
- Acquired securities licenses and partnered with the exceptional financial planning firm Northeast Financial Network to serve advisory needs of HNW, family office, and business owner clients post-exit.
Focus areas: Pitch Preparation, Business Planning, Investor Presentations, DCF Valuation, DCF Modeling, Venture Capital, Venture Debt, Capital Raising, Growth Capital Raising, Budgeting, Price Analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
2015 - 2016
Director of Research
Prudena
- Designed a suite of automated equity analysis and valuation tools with a focus on value investing strategies.
- Created financial models for internal capital management and forecasting.
- Created a business plan for the purpose of securing a $1.5-million equity capital raise.
- Pitched venture capital investors to discuss the sale of equity in Prudena; investors were interested in pending demonstrable subscriber growth.
- Produced equity research reports on a platform for marketing purposes/proof of concept.
Focus areas: Capital Raising, CFO, Financial Reporting, Valuation, Business Planning, Equity Research
2013 - 2014
Equity Research Analyst
Sidoti & Co
- Identified promising equity research subjects.
- Conducted fundamental research and created financial models with forecasts.
- Interviewed executive management teams.
- Conducted channel checks.
- Reviewed SEC filings, company news, market, and industry conditions.
- Composed and published research reports, presented research to sales team, discussed research with institutional clients.
- Developed and maintained relationships with institutional clients.
Focus areas: Equity Research
2010 - 2014
Founder
Garden State Mobile Vending
- Founded and successfully exited a profitable seasonal business in the food services industry.
- Oversaw rapid expansion of physical capital and revenue to more than $100,000 in a 12-week season.
- Raised over $45,000 in financing from banks and private investors.
Focus areas: CFO, Capital Allocation, Marketing, Business Development, Contract Negotiation, Management, Investor Presentations, Capital Raising
2011 - 2013
Research Analyst
Noble Equity Fund
- Conducted fundamental equity research for a hedge fund.
- Created models and forecasts, reviewed third-party research, analyzed the market and industry data, aggregated qualitative information, and interviewed executive management teams.
- Designed and conducted research projects, performed research and analysis of various markets, industries, indexes, and macroeconomic indicators.
- Presented investment recommendations based both on research and the evolving strategy of the fund manager.
- Worked closely with the fund manager, presented all research and conclusions directly several times each week.
Focus areas: Equity Research
2009 - 2010
Profiles Data Analyst
Bloomberg LP
- Analyzed public company filings and private company data to ensure depth and accuracy of financial and corporate profile information on Bloomberg database.
- Made edits to Bloomberg data when appropriate.
- Reported daily progress to the management team.
- Fulfilled project goals successfully (contract position).
Focus areas: Equity Research
Other Experience
Publication
Getting the Most from Equity Research - Lessons from a Former Research Analyst
https://www.toptal.com/finance/equity-research-analysts/getting-the-most-from-equity-research
Publication
LTV and CAC: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
https://www.toptal.com/finance/startup-funding-consultants/ltv-cac-lifetime-value
Education
2005 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in Economics
University of Notre Dame - Notre Dame, IN, USA
Certifications
APRIL 2016 - PRESENT
Health, Accident, Disability, and Life Insurance Licenses
NAIC | Numerous State Insurance Commissions
SEPTEMBER 2013 - PRESENT
Series 7, 63, 65, 85, 86
FINRA