Finance for founders past spreadsheets
We build the models, forecasts, and reporting that let you make big calls with confidence — and back you up when investors start asking questions.
Finance for founders past spreadsheets
We build the models, forecasts, and reporting that let you make big calls with confidence — and back you up when investors start asking questions.
Finance for founders past spreadsheets
We build the models, forecasts, and reporting that let you make big calls with confidence — and back you up when investors start asking questions.
Trusted by teams at
Trusted by teams at
Trusted by teams at
About Cairn
Cairn was started by a former operating partner who kept watching good companies stumble over messy numbers, not bad ideas. We step in as the finance function most founders don't have time to build themselves.
We're not a bank and we don't take equity in your raise. We get paid to make sure your numbers hold up under pressure — whether that pressure is a board meeting or a term sheet.
Cairn was started by a former operating partner who kept watching good companies stumble over messy numbers, not bad ideas. We step in as the finance function most founders don't have time to build themselves.
We're not a bank and we don't take equity in your raise. We get paid to make sure your numbers hold up under pressure — whether that pressure is a board meeting or a term sheet.
How we work with founders
01
We audit first
Before we touch a deck or a model, we go through your books line by line. Most financials fall apart under scrutiny.
02
We build the model
Together we build a forecast that survives hard questions — assumptions documented, scenarios stress-tested.
03
We stay in the room
We don't hand off a PDF and disappear. We join diligence calls, answer follow-ups, and help you get to a signature.
How we work with founders
01
We audit first
Before we touch a deck or a model, we go through your books line by line. Most financials fall apart under scrutiny.
02
We build the model
Together we build a forecast that survives hard questions — assumptions documented, scenarios stress-tested.
03
We stay in the room
We don't hand off a PDF and disappear. We join diligence calls, answer follow-ups, and help you get to a signature.
How we work with founders
01
We audit first
Before we touch a deck or a model, we go through your books line by line. Most financials fall apart under scrutiny.
02
We build the model
Together we build a forecast that survives hard questions — assumptions documented, scenarios stress-tested.
03
We stay in the room
We don't hand off a PDF and disappear. We join diligence calls, answer follow-ups, and help you get to a signature.
What's different about Cairn
Numbers first, story second
We don't open with a template. We start with your general ledger and only write the narrative once the math holds up.
An operator network
Our intros come from founders and investors we've actually worked with, not a cold spreadsheet.
We don't leave after the wire lands
Most advisors disappear post-raise. We keep working the model with you through the next two quarters.
What's different about Cairn
Numbers first, story second
We don't open with a template. We start with your general ledger and only write the narrative once the math holds up.
An operator network
Our intros come from founders and investors we've actually worked with, not a cold spreadsheet.
We don't leave after the wire lands
Most advisors disappear post-raise. We keep working the model with you through the next two quarters.
What's different about Cairn
Numbers first, story second
We don't open with a template. We start with your general ledger and only write the narrative once the math holds up.
An operator network
Our intros come from founders and investors we've actually worked with, not a cold spreadsheet.
We don't leave after the wire lands
Most advisors disappear post-raise. We keep working the model with you through the next two quarters.
Testimonials
"Cairn caught a cash-flow gap in our model three weeks before we would've found out the hard way."
Erik Hallberg
/
CEO, Waveform Energy
Fundraising Advisory
From first pitch to signed term sheet
We help you prepare for and run a fundraising process. That means financial models, pitch materials, investor targeting, and negotiation support — start to finish.
Financial model and data room built from your actual numbers
A pitch narrative shaped around what the model can defend
Live support through partner meetings and diligence
Fundraising Advisory
From first pitch to signed term sheet
We help you prepare for and run a fundraising process. That means financial models, pitch materials, investor targeting, and negotiation support — start to finish.
Financial model and data room built from your actual numbers
A pitch narrative shaped around what the model can defend
Live support through partner meetings and diligence
Fundraising Advisory
From first pitch to signed term sheet
We help you prepare for and run a fundraising process. That means financial models, pitch materials, investor targeting, and negotiation support — start to finish.
Financial model and data room built from your actual numbers
A pitch narrative shaped around what the model can defend
Live support through partner meetings and diligence
Pipeline
Forecast vs actual
Strategic Finance
The finance function for the year after you raise
Not every financial decision is about raising money. We help founders with budgeting, runway planning, pricing, and the kind of thinking that makes the next round easier.
Monthly close, board reporting, and runway tracking
Budget-to-actual reviews that catch problems while they're small
Scenario planning for hiring, pricing, and burn
Pipeline
Forecast vs actual
Strategic Finance
The finance function for the year after you raise
Not every financial decision is about raising money. We help founders with budgeting, runway planning, pricing, and the kind of thinking that makes the next round easier.
Monthly close, board reporting, and runway tracking
Budget-to-actual reviews that catch problems while they're small
Scenario planning for hiring, pricing, and burn
Pipeline
Forecast vs actual
Strategic Finance
The finance function for the year after you raise
Not every financial decision is about raising money. We help founders with budgeting, runway planning, pricing, and the kind of thinking that makes the next round easier.
Monthly close, board reporting, and runway tracking
Budget-to-actual reviews that catch problems while they're small
Scenario planning for hiring, pricing, and burn
What's new
Feb 24, 2026
Five financial model mistakes we see in every seed deck
Mar 22, 2026
Sifted: "Most early-stage finance advice is built for the wrong customer"
Jan 14, 2026
What Nordic VCs actually look at before taking a meeting
Dec 3, 2025
Runway planning when the market is slow
Nov 11, 2025
You closed the round. Now what?
Mar 15, 2026
We moved into a new office on Götgatan
Apr 2, 2026
We're hiring: an analyst to join the Stockholm team
Oct 21, 2025
What to actually look for in a term sheet
Apr 8, 2026
Nordic seed funding in Q1 2026: what the numbers tell us
Apr 1, 2026
Do you need a CFO or a financial advisor?
Feb 19, 2026
Erik on the Nordic Founders podcast: the 90-second screening
What's new
Feb 24, 2026
Five financial model mistakes we see in every seed deck
Mar 22, 2026
Sifted: "Most early-stage finance advice is built for the wrong customer"
Jan 14, 2026
What Nordic VCs actually look at before taking a meeting
Dec 3, 2025
Runway planning when the market is slow
Nov 11, 2025
You closed the round. Now what?
Mar 15, 2026
We moved into a new office on Götgatan
Apr 2, 2026
We're hiring: an analyst to join the Stockholm team
Oct 21, 2025
What to actually look for in a term sheet
Apr 8, 2026
Nordic seed funding in Q1 2026: what the numbers tell us
Apr 1, 2026
Do you need a CFO or a financial advisor?
Feb 19, 2026
Erik on the Nordic Founders podcast: the 90-second screening
What's new
Feb 24, 2026
Five financial model mistakes we see in every seed deck
Mar 22, 2026
Sifted: "Most early-stage finance advice is built for the wrong customer"
Jan 14, 2026
What Nordic VCs actually look at before taking a meeting
Dec 3, 2025
Runway planning when the market is slow
Nov 11, 2025
You closed the round. Now what?
Mar 15, 2026
We moved into a new office on Götgatan
Apr 2, 2026
We're hiring: an analyst to join the Stockholm team
Oct 21, 2025
What to actually look for in a term sheet
Apr 8, 2026
Nordic seed funding in Q1 2026: what the numbers tell us
Apr 1, 2026
Do you need a CFO or a financial advisor?
Feb 19, 2026
Erik on the Nordic Founders podcast: the 90-second screening
Frequently asked questions
Who do you typically work with?
Early-stage tech founders, usually pre-seed to Series A. Most are based in the Nordics, but we've worked with companies across Europe. If you're building something real and thinking about your next raise, we're probably a good fit.
How much does it cost?
It depends on scope. Some founders need help with a specific raise, others want ongoing financial support between rounds. We'll give you a clear quote after an intro call — no surprises.
Do you invest in the companies you advise?
No. We're independent advisors. That means our advice isn't shaped by a cap table position — we're focused on what's actually best for you and your company.
How long does a typical fundraising engagement last?
Usually 2–4 months from first call to signed term sheet, though it varies. We stay involved through closing and help you set up reporting and governance for what comes next.
What if we're not ready to raise yet?
We'll tell you — honestly and early. Then we'll help you figure out what needs to happen first, whether that's traction, unit economics, or just a clearer story. Some of our best engagements started that way.
If you have any further questions or just want to reach our team, click the button below.
Frequently asked questions
Who do you typically work with?
Early-stage tech founders, usually pre-seed to Series A. Most are based in the Nordics, but we've worked with companies across Europe. If you're building something real and thinking about your next raise, we're probably a good fit.
How much does it cost?
It depends on scope. Some founders need help with a specific raise, others want ongoing financial support between rounds. We'll give you a clear quote after an intro call — no surprises.
Do you invest in the companies you advise?
No. We're independent advisors. That means our advice isn't shaped by a cap table position — we're focused on what's actually best for you and your company.
How long does a typical fundraising engagement last?
Usually 2–4 months from first call to signed term sheet, though it varies. We stay involved through closing and help you set up reporting and governance for what comes next.
What if we're not ready to raise yet?
We'll tell you — honestly and early. Then we'll help you figure out what needs to happen first, whether that's traction, unit economics, or just a clearer story. Some of our best engagements started that way.
If you have any further questions or just want to reach our team, click the button below.
Frequently asked questions
Who do you typically work with?
Early-stage tech founders, usually pre-seed to Series A. Most are based in the Nordics, but we've worked with companies across Europe. If you're building something real and thinking about your next raise, we're probably a good fit.
How much does it cost?
It depends on scope. Some founders need help with a specific raise, others want ongoing financial support between rounds. We'll give you a clear quote after an intro call — no surprises.
Do you invest in the companies you advise?
No. We're independent advisors. That means our advice isn't shaped by a cap table position — we're focused on what's actually best for you and your company.
How long does a typical fundraising engagement last?
Usually 2–4 months from first call to signed term sheet, though it varies. We stay involved through closing and help you set up reporting and governance for what comes next.
What if we're not ready to raise yet?
We'll tell you — honestly and early. Then we'll help you figure out what needs to happen first, whether that's traction, unit economics, or just a clearer story. Some of our best engagements started that way.
If you have any further questions or just want to reach our team, click the button below.
Ready to get your numbers investor-ready?
Book a call and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.
Ready to get your numbers investor-ready?
Book a call and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.
Ready to get your numbers investor-ready?
Book a call and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.
