Finance Leadership. Without Full-Time Overhead.

Ready for the next level of financial clarity?

Let’s talk about your finance setup, challenges, and opportunities. No slides – just value.

Guessing is not a business model.

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About FiCoDriver

FiCoDriver supports founders and management teams with strategic finance leadership – without hiring full-time. From investor reporting and cash flow planning to automation of key workflows, we deliver clarity and control. Bookkeeping? Outsourced and integrated – we coordinate the right setup so you don’t have to.

Finance Process Design

Automation, delegation, and control – set up for growth from day one.

Reporting & Decision Support

Custom dashboards, KPIs, and insights tailored to what matters.

Fractional CFO Support

Financial strategy, forecasting, investor readiness – without long-term headcount.

Finance Team Coordination

We align external partners, accountants, and internal ops – you stay in control.

Why FiCoDriver?

Why customers choose us:

I never thought I’d enjoy talking about cash flow – until Stephan made it clear, actionable, and directly tied to our growth goals. Having him on board gave me the confidence to scale with numbers that finally made sense.

Felix R., Managing Director

DTC Brand

Working with FiCoDriver completely changed the way we manage our finances. Stephan brought structure, clarity, and speed to everything from investor reporting to internal workflows. He’s the CFO we didn’t know we needed – and now wouldn’t want to work without.

Lara M., Co-Founder & CEO

B2B SaaS Startup

★★★★★

★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

What is a fractional CFO and how can they help my startup?

A fractional CFO is a senior finance executive who works part-time (typically 2-3 days per week) with startups and scale-ups, providing C-level financial expertise without the overhead of a full-time hire.

In my experience working with European startups since 2018, the impact is immediate and measurable. Most of my clients see significant improvements in their financial clarity and investor readiness within the first quarter.

What you typically get:

• Strategic financial planning and forecasting

• Investor-ready financial models and presentations

• Cash flow optimization and runway extension

• Financial process automation and scalable systems

• Board reporting and stakeholder communication

The key difference? You get 15+ years of CFO-level expertise for a fraction of the cost, typically 70-80% less than hiring full-time. Plus, you benefit from cross-industry experience and best practices from multiple companies.

When should my SaaS startup engage a fractional CFO?

From my experience with SaaS companies across Europe, there are clear patterns for optimal timing. The sweet spot is usually when you're hitting certain growth milestones but before financial complexity becomes overwhelming.

Ideal timing indicators:

• €2M+ ARR: When unit economics become critical for sustainable scaling

• Pre-fundraising (6-12 months out): To build investor-ready financial infrastructure

• Team scaling (10+ people): When financial oversight becomes a full-time need

• International expansion: For complex multi-entity financial management

• Founder burnout on finance: When financial tasks consume too much of your strategic time

I've consistently seen that companies engaging early in their growth journey tend to have smoother fundraising processes and stronger unit economics. The founders who wait until they're "drowning in spreadsheets" typically wish they'd started 6 months earlier.

The key question: Are financial decisions slowing down your business growth? If yes, it's probably time.

How much does a fractional CFO cost for European SaaS startups in 2025?

Fractional CFO pricing varies significantly based on company stage, complexity, and specific needs. Based on current European market rates and my experience across different company sizes, here's what you can typically expect:

Typical monthly investment ranges:

• €2-5M ARR: €4,500-6,500/month (2-3 days/week)

• €5-15M ARR: €6,500-9,500/month (3-4 days/week)

• €15M+ ARR: €9,500-15,000/month (4-5 days/week)

For comparison, a full-time senior CFO in Germany typically costs €140,000-180,000 annually plus benefits, stock options, and overhead - easily €200K+ total cost.

ROI perspective:
Most of my clients see returns through improved unit economics, faster fundraising, better cash management, and strategic financial decisions that more than offset the investment. The typical payback is within the first funding round or major business milestone.

The real question isn't the cost - it's whether you can afford not to have senior financial expertise during critical growth phases.

Which SaaS metrics should I optimize for Series A fundraising in Europe 2025?

Having helped multiple SaaS companies through successful funding rounds, I've seen firsthand what European investors care about most in the current market. The landscape has definitely shifted since 2022 - profitability and sustainability are now equally important as growth.

Critical metrics for European Series A in 2025:

Growth & Revenue:

• ARR Growth Rate: 150%+ year-over-year (best performers hit 180-200%)

• Net Revenue Retention: 110%+ minimum (exceptional companies: 125-140%)

• Monthly Growth Rate: Consistent 10-15% month-over-month

Unit Economics (This is where most companies fail):

• LTV:CAC Ratio: 3:1 absolute minimum (shoot for 4-5:1)

• Payback Period: Under 18 months (12 months is competitive)

• Gross Margin: 75%+ for software (80%+ is excellent)

2025 reality check: European VCs now demand a clear path to 20%+ EBITDA margins within 18-24 months. The "growth at all costs" era is over. Companies showing both strong growth AND improving unit economics get funded faster and at better valuations.

Pro tip: Don't just track these metrics - understand the story they tell about your business model and market position.

When do I need a full-time CFO instead of a fractional CFO?

This is one of the most common questions I get, and honestly, many companies transition to full-time earlier than they need to. The decision should be based on actual needs, not just revenue milestones.

You probably need full-time when:

Scale indicators:

• €50M+ ARR: When financial decisions impact significant daily revenue

• 100+ employees: Complex org structures, international payroll, equity management

• Multiple entities: International operations requiring constant financial oversight

• IPO timeline: Public company readiness within 12-18 months

Complexity indicators:

• Daily investor/board communication needs

• Active M&A pipeline or complex partnership deals

• Heavy regulatory compliance (banking, healthcare, etc.)

• Large internal finance team needing management

The hybrid approach:
Many of my most successful clients use a "fractional CFO + full-time controller" model. You get strategic expertise when you need it, plus daily operational support. It's often more cost-effective than full-time C-level hire until you're really at scale.

Bottom line: If you're asking this question, you probably don't need full-time yet. Focus on building solid financial foundations first.

What financial models does my SaaS startup actually need?

I see a lot of founders either drowning in overly complex models or flying blind with basic spreadsheets. The key is building the right models for your stage and using them to actually make decisions.

Essential models for SaaS startups:

Operational models (your daily dashboard):

• Unit Economics Calculator: True LTV, blended CAC, payback periods by segment

• Cohort Analysis: Revenue retention patterns that predict churn

• MRR/ARR Tracker: New, expansion, contraction, and churn - the full picture

• 18-Month Cash Flow: Rolling forecast that updates weekly

Strategic models (your growth compass):

• 3-Year Financial Plan: Revenue drivers, cost structure, path to profitability

• Scenario Planning: Best case, base case, worst case with clear assumptions

• Fundraising Model: Use of funds tied to specific milestones and burn rates
  

Here's the thing: Models are only valuable if you actually use them. I'd rather see a founder with 3 simple models they check weekly than 15 complex ones gathering digital dust.

Start with unit economics and cash flow. Get those right, then add complexity as you scale.

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