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Lambert Despaux
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Barcelona, Spain
Toptal member since April 1, 2020
Bio
Lambert is a fractional CFO/COO and strategy consultant with over a decade of experience who has founded a successful Web 3.0 startup that has raised over $5 million, created a regulated angel venture fund with 11 investments in blockchain infrastructure and transacted more than $1.5 billion in private equity real estate. A mentor with Techstars and R3, Lambert has advised dozens of startups and small businesses on business strategy, operations, fundraising, product, and go-to-market strategy.
Career Highlights
Partner | Chief Investment Officer
Schema Capital
Education Highlights
Master of Science Degree
EDHEC Business School
Industry Expertise
- Finance
- Banking
- Investment Banking
- Venture Capital & Private Equity
- Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations
- Real Estate
- Financial Modeling
- Fintech
Other Expertise
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Modeling
- Fintech
- Fundraising
- Startup Funding
Work Experience
Mentor
2022 - 2023
Techstars
- Advised two Web 3.0 startups on product management, ensuring effective product rollouts.
- Offered strategic insights for go-to-market initiatives.
- Assisted in crafting and executing fundraising strategies.
Focus areas: Blockchain, Web3, Fundraising, Seed Fundraising, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Go-to-market Optimization, Fundraising Strategy, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Crypto, Cryptocurrency, Product Strategy, Product Management, Venture Capital, Fundraising Consultant, Blockchain Platforms, Market Research, Financial Statements, Financials, Financing, Financial Analysis, Profit & Loss (P&L), Income Statements, Finance, Company Analysis, Company Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections
Co-founder | Chief Operations Officer | Chief Product Officer
2021 - 2023
Angel Impact
- Led the development of a Web 3.0 product from scratch, serving 170+ B2B clients and $6 million in assets under administration.
- Implemented and managed internal standard operating procedures (SOP), objective-key-results (OKR), and key performance indicators (KPI) tracking and introduced a RACI framework.
- Managed human resources (HR), including hiring, onboarding, and support for a team of up to 27 members.
- Led finance, including accounting and compliance for five entities in three jurisdictions and quarterly investor updates.
- Spearheaded financial and structuring aspects of a $5.2 million fundraising round.
Focus areas: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, CFO, COO, Operations, Finance, Management, Startups, Fundraising, Human Resources (HR), Fintech, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Blockchain, Venture Capital, Fundraising Consultant, Interim CFO, Fractional CFO, Corporate Finance Consultant, Blockchain Platforms, Market Research, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Statements, Financials, Financing, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Profit & Loss (P&L), Income Statements, Company Analysis, Company Strategy, Board Presentations, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections
Partner | Chief Investment Officer
2017 - 2021
Schema Capital
- Performed in-depth market analysis to identify three investment themes with high-growth potential and drafted the funds' investment thesis.
- Drafted marketing documents for investors to fund the first evergreen fund and the second closed-end €10 million fund.
- Built the financial model for a €10 million early-stage VC fund and defined the fund's investment strategy.
- Wrote the fund manager's operational guidelines and set up a rigorous investment workflow process to manage investments from sourcing to signing.
- Sourced and reviewed over 300 early-stage fintech investment opportunities per year.
- Developed investment proposal documents destined for the fund's investment committee focusing on market analysis, product and team, technology, strategic analysis and competition, exit strategy, and risk assessment.
- Invested in 11 projects, three as a lead investor: performed the due diligence processes (legal, tax, and technical) and contracts (term sheets, SPAs, and convertible notes).
- Drafted quarterly reporting documents to the attention of investors.
- Provided guidance and advisory services to portfolio companies (fundraising strategy and documentation, financial modeling, and budgeting).
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Board Presentations, Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Company Profiles, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Investing, Investments, Investment Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Market Research, Valuation, Fundraising, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Blockchain Platforms, Blockchain, Venture Capital, Fintech, Startup Funding, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Early-stage Startups, Startups, Financial Services, Comparable Company Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections, Fundraising Consultant, Interim CFO, Fractional CFO, Corporate Finance Consultant, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections, Investment Funds
Strategy Consultant (Market Research)
2020 - 2020
Fintech Startup (neobanking) in Stealth Mode
- Defined the perimeter market research on neo-banking with a list of 150+ global traditional and challenger banks and targeted 40 relevant European entities.
- Segmented the available supply to find the feature mix that would allow a new entrant to be competitive.
- Focused on special feature themes and identified preliminary avenues for unique selling points.
Focus areas: Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Finance, Business Strategy, Product-market Fit, Market Research, Fintech, Startup Funding, Banking & Finance, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Early-stage Startups, Startups, Financial Services, Financial Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Financial Statements, Financials, Profit & Loss (P&L), Income Statements, Entrepreneurship
Strategy Consultant (M&A)
2020 - 2020
UK-based M&A boutique
- Assisted an M&A boutique with the valuation of a UK-based target in the alcoholic beverages sector.
- Analyzed the target's financial statements and reconciled figures with those provided in the investment memorandum.
- Built P&L and cash flow statements and extended the target's management assumptions.
- Performed market research to calculate WACC and set trading and transaction multiples.
- Valued the company using the DCF, trading multiples, and comparable transaction methods.
- Provided a minority stake analysis and impact on valuation.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Company Profiles, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Investing, Investments, Investment Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Market Research, Private Equity, Corporate Finance Consultant, Revenue & Expense Projections, Comparable Company Analysis, Corporate Finance, Valuation, Banking & Finance, Financial Services, Financial Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis
Strategy Consultant (Fundraising)
2020 - 2020
Artificial Intelligence/Fintech Startup
- Performed initial audit of existing collateral and materials to assess missing documentation and draw a mission plan.
- Ran full market research; defined the customer universe and calculated market and sub-market sizes; researched and qualified competitors and researched competitor pricing.
- Analyzed the business model in light of market research and offered suggestions on strategy.
- Drafted the financial documentation: budget, revenue projections, variable costs projections, cash flow projections, and current and projected cap tables.
- Led brainstorming sessions with clients to define the narrative, structure, and key messages of the investor deck.
- Drafted the layout of the slides of the investor deck.
- Established a long and short list of qualified investors and put in place a fundraising strategy.
- Assisted with reaching out to a few investors in accordance with the fundraising strategy.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Company Strategy, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Investing, Investments, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Fundraising Consultant, Competitive Strategy, Market Research, Cost Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Investor Presentations, Fundraising, Fintech, Startup Funding, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Early-stage Startups, Startups, Financial Services, Comparable Company Analysis, Venture Capital, Cash Flow Analysis, Company Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Projections
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
2019 - 2020
Blockchain Fintech Startup
- Analyzed the economic progress of the company to evaluate future milestones and financing needs.
- Reviewed and corrected the budget to ensure compatibility with the company's medium-term projected roadmap and milestones.
- Analyzed the company's cap table and ran simulations to evaluate the impact of different forms of financing (convertible note vs. equity) and different amounts.
- Reviewed and corrected the narrative and structure of the investor deck.
- Advised on fundraising strategy (targeting) and message (communication).
- Created revenue and cash flow financial projections.
- Assisted the team throughout the investment process; introduced investors to the team and assisted with modeling the impact of investment terms.
- Created a financial dashboard to monitor and follow up on business development and the company's financial health.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Company Strategy, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Investing, Investments, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Market Research, Fractional CFO, Interim CFO, Fundraising Consultant, Blockchain, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Fundraising, Fintech, Startup Funding, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Early-stage Startups, Startups, Financial Services, Financial Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Venture Capital, Corporate Finance Consultant, Blockchain Platforms, Cash Flow Analysis, Company Analysis, Board Presentations, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections
Investment Associate
2015 - 2017
InfraRed Capital Partners (now ARA Europe)
- Participated in sourcing dozens of value-added real estate investment opportunities in France and Spain.
- Researched and documented suitable investment opportunities to assess feasibility and alignment with the fund strategy.
- Participated in all aspects of the property investment process, including financial modeling, drafting LOIs, following up on the technical, environmental, and legal due diligence, soliciting and selecting banks, and negotiating SPAs or title deeds.
- Drafted exhaustive investment memoranda for submission to the investment committee for three projects.
- Participated in the asset management of four assets, including follow-up of CAPEX and letting campaigns, analysis of offers in view of disposal, and negotiation with potential buyers.
- Researched and analyzed investment strategies in specific target markets and drafted new investment theme propositions.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Board Presentations, Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Company Profiles, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Investing, Investments, Investment Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation, Comparable Company Analysis, Real Estate, Private Equity, Due Diligence, Market Research, Financial Modeling, Financial Services, Corporate Finance Consultant, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow Analysis, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections, Investment Funds
Investment Analyst
2012 - 2015
BNP Paribas Real Estate
- Advised clients on cross-border real estate investment strategies across Europe.
- Provided investment buy-side advice to a family office for the acquisition of the largest central Paris deal at the time (€1.2 billion), including the valuation of assets, cash flow modeling, and assistance in due diligence.
- Participated in the production of pitch books, asset appraisals, teasers, and information memoranda in the context of cross-border disposals.
- Built automated specific cash flow models for portfolio logistics investments and office and hotel developments.
- Assisted with establishing a new international investment unit and opening offices in Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Board Presentations, Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Company Profiles, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Investing, Investments, Investment Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation, Market Research, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling, Real Estate, Financial Services, Comparable Company Analysis, Corporate Finance Consultant, Private Equity, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow Analysis, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections, Investment Funds
M&A Analyst
2011 - 2011
Easton Corporate Finance (now Clearwater International)
- Prepared pitch books for mid-market sell-side mandates: deep market reviews, strategic analysis, and research on comparable targets and potential acquirers.
- Built financial models for the valuation of potential targets using different methods: DCF, trading multiples, and comparable transactions.
- Built investor-ready LBO models to assess valuations and provide collateral for investment memoranda.
- Drafted investment memoranda comprising market analysis, company presentation, strategic analysis, financials, and valuation.
- Coordinated the due diligence process for the sell-side. Managed the data room, answered investor questions, facilitated additional information, and assisted with the organization of management meetings with potential investors.
Focus areas: Pitch Decks, Board Presentations, Company Strategy, Company Analysis, Company Profiles, Finance, Income Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Investing, Investments, Investment Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financing, Financials, Financial Statements, Market Research, Private Equity, Corporate Finance Consultant, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation, Comparable Company Analysis, Corporate Finance, Banking & Finance, Financial Services, Financial Modeling, Real Estate, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow Analysis, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections, Investment Funds
Education
2008 - 2012
Master of Science Degree in Management
EDHEC Business School - France
2008 - 2012
Master of Science Degree in Corporate Finance
EDHEC Business School - France
2006 - 2008
Preparatory Course (Classe Préparatoire Aux Grandes ÉColes [CPGE]) in Math, Applied Math, and Physics
Lycée Joffre - France
Skills
Finance
Market Research, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Financial Model Auditing, Startup Funding, Fundraising, Seed Fundraising, Corporate Finance, Blockchain, Investment Briefs, Investment Memoranda, Investment Thesis, Private Equity, Free Cash Flow (FCF), Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Cash Flow, Cash Flow Modeling, Cash Flow Forecasting, Projected Cash Flow, P&L Forecasting, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Integrated Financial Statements, Capital, Capital Raising, Financial Reporting, Profit & Loss (P&L), Venture Funding, Valuation Multiples, Comparable Company Analysis, Valuation, Valuation Modeling, DCF Valuation, Revenue Modeling, Revenue Optimization, Revenue & Expense Projections, Five-year Projections, Forecasting, Business Advisory, Private Equity Valuation, Finance Strategy, CFO, Portfolio Analysis, Minority Investments, Due Diligence, Budgeting
Output Software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Google Sheets
Industry Expertise
Banking & Finance, Venture Capital, Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Early-stage Startups, Financial Services, Technology
Geographic Expertise
Europe, France
Data & Analysis Software
QuickBooks Online
Other
Blockchain Platforms, Pitch Decks, Cryptocurrency, Startups, Fintech, Early-stage Venture Capital, Early-stage Funding, Financial Statements, Fundraising Consultant, Investment Funds, Financials, Financing, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Financial Analysis, Investment Analysis, Equity Investment, Investments, Investing, Angel Investing, Corporate Finance Consultant, Interim CFO, Fractional CFO, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Income Statements, Finance, Company Profiles, Company Analysis, Company Strategy, Portfolio Company Support, Board Presentations, Portfolio Reporting, Portfolio Management, Entrepreneurship, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Projections, Business to Business (B2B), Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Investment Banking, Capital Advisory, Board of Directors, Revenue Strategy, Recurring Revenue Modeling, Business Models, Market Assessment, Investor Presentations, Cost Modeling, Competitive Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Strategy, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Business Planning, Market Research & Analysis, Research, Research Reports, Thematic Research, Microsoft 365, COO, Operations, Management, Human Resources (HR), Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack, ClickUp, Notion, Miro, HubSpot, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Web3, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Go-to-market Optimization, Fundraising Strategy, Crypto, Product Strategy, Product Management
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