Thomas Ruland, Finance Expert in Bad Münstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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Thomas Ruland

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Bad Münstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Toptal Member Since
January 6, 2021

Thomas has nearly two decades of experience in finance, specializing in M&A, finance operations, and strategic leadership in startup settings. His expertise includes executing M&A transactions, leading capital-raising efforts, and serving as interim CFO/COO. Proficient in both advisory and operational roles, Thomas integrates analytical depth with a pragmatic, hands-on leadership style, making him a versatile and effective finance professional.

Interim CFOVirtual CFOAccountingCorporate FinanceFinancial ModelingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Financial ReportingBudgetingFundraisingCFOVenture CapitalFinancial ManagementDue DiligenceMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Fundraising ConsultantFractional COOInterim CEOCorporate ControllersStart-up CFOsInterim COO

Career Highlights

Interim CFO/COO/Head of Finance | Startups | Fundraising Manager | Finance Consultant
Freelance
Vice President/Director
Ludwig & Co. (Award-winning Corporate Finance Boutique)
CFO/COO
cloudControl (PaaS |Coud Technology Startup)

Education Highlights

Bachelor's Degree
Maastricht University

Case Studies

Work Experience

CFO

2022 - PRESENT
Decentriq
  • Managed all operational finance tasks, including weekly, monthly, and annual requirements. Built up the HR and Legal departments.
  • Raised a $15 million Series A round and owned corporate finance activities. Raised a $5 million venture debt round.
  • Led the investor and stakeholder management, including business angels, VCs, venture debt providers, and banks.
  • Honorably mentioned by the team multiple times as one of the go-to guys for problem-solving.
Focus areas: Operational Finance, Fundraising, Treasury, Procurement, Legal, Human Resources (HR), CFO, COO, P&L Forecasting, Reporting, Investor Relations

Interim CFO/COO/Head of Finance | Startups | Fundraising Manager | Finance Consultant

2020 - PRESENT
Freelance
  • Built a seed funding deck and actively managed the seed fund round for a pre-seed startup. Advised them on operational goals to kick-off process.
  • Assumed interim CFO/COO role with full responsibility on finance tasks. Got financial department up-to-speed within one month.
  • Advised on M&A topics, prepared M&A roadmap, documents, and long-/short-list.
  • Assisted client to form industry expert board with a combined financing round.
  • Consulted on topics in corporate finance, business and finance operations (e.g. budgeting, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), controlling), and investor relations,.
  • Oversaw project management, due diligence, executive briefings, board document preparation, market screening, and financial modeling.
Focus areas: Financial Controlling, Financial Management, Controlling, Reporting, Corporate Finance, Finance, Chief Operations Officer (COO), COO, Virtual CFO, CFO, Interim CFO, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Controller, SaaS

Vice President/Director

2016 - 2020
Ludwig & Co. (Award-winning Corporate Finance Boutique)
  • Led multiple M&A transactions across industries (technology, IT, automotive, agri-tec).
  • Raised funding rounds for early stage and growth startups.
  • Managed carve-outs, financial restructuring, and distressed M&A projects.
  • Built and presented Information memorandums, company presentations, and financial models.
  • Led and executed due diligence processes on both the buy and sell side.
  • Recruited one of the best junior M&A teams in the industry.
Focus areas: Debt Raises, Equity Financing, Financing, Startups, High-tech Startups, Fundraising Consultant, Fundraising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

CFO/COO

2009 - 2016
cloudControl (PaaS |Coud Technology Startup)
  • Raised multi-million EUR amounts in three funding rounds from business angels and VCs (Seed-Series B).
  • Managed all group financials: German GmbH & US Inc., including financial planning, monthly and annual report preparation, treasury, and investor relations.
  • Executed M&A projects: dotCloud acquisition from Docker, Inc., sale of cloudControl to Exoscale.
  • Set-up internal controlling systems and core KPIs for acquisition funnel, sign-up conversions, cohorts, and marketing effectiveness.
  • Oversaw all legal and data security topics.
  • Coordinated HR, recruitment processes, and employee evaluation.
  • Founded a US-based subsidiary as part of the international expansion strategy.
Focus areas: Financial Management, Controlling, Finance, Cloud, Startups, Fundraising, Venture Capital, Seed Fundraising, SaaS

Analyst

2007 - 2009
UBS Investment Bank
  • Executed M&A transactions in the technology, real estate, and transportation sectors with EVs in the range of €50-500 million each.
  • Prepared the multi-billion EUR IPO of one of Europe's largest railway operators.
  • Built extensive integrated financial models for both M&A and IPO cases.
  • Executed due diligence projects in digital and physical data rooms.
  • Prepared and presented key transaction documents such as a prospectus, pitches, and company presentations.
Focus areas: Initial Public Offerings, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
2006 - 2006

Bachelor's Degree in International Business Economics

Chengchi University Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan

2003 - 2006

Bachelor's Degree in International Business

Maastricht University - Maastricht, The Netherlands

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