As a member of the Private Equity Society, I have had the opportunity to create financial projections for investment pitch decks, which involved forecasting revenue, expenses, and profitability for a variety of companies across different stages. For instance, I worked on developing 1-year and 3-year financial projections for a potential investment, incorporating factors such as market growth, customer acquisition, and expected cost trends. In these projections, I focused on key financial metrics like revenue growth, EBITDA margins, and cash flow to illustrate the company's path toward profitability. I also conducted scenario analysis to account for best- and worst-case outcomes based on various market conditions and operational decisions. The challenge was to strike the right balance between optimism for growth and a realistic approach to costs, ensuring the model presented a credible and compelling case to potential investors. Additionally, I worked closely with the team to gather data and insights, adjusting assumptions as necessary based on market research, historical performance, and feedback from industry experts. This experience gave me hands-on knowledge of the complexities involved in building detailed financial models and projections for investment purposes, all while ensuring alignment with the broader strategic vision of the company.

During my time as Corporate Outreach Manager at NOSHY, an artisanal truffle company, I gained a solid understanding of the financial dynamics within the CPG space, particularly around maintaining healthy revenue growth and managing costs effectively. A key part of my role was developing strategic partnerships with retailers and corporate clients, which directly impacted our sales channels and revenue streams. By cultivating strong relationships, I contributed to expanding NOSHY’s distribution network and ensuring product visibility in premium outlets. One of my key learnings was the importance of gross margin management in a high-end, artisanal CPG brand. NOSHY, like many CPG companies, operates in a low-margin, high-volume environment, meaning controlling production and distribution costs is critical. I worked closely with our supply chain team to ensure efficient sourcing of truffles and other ingredients while maintaining product quality. This experience gave me insight into the balance between cost control and product innovation to protect margins. Additionally, I was involved in working capital management, helping the company optimize inventory levels and improve cash flow. I collaborated with the finance team to monitor and streamline payment terms with suppliers and customers, ensuring liquidity was maintained to support the company’s expansion efforts. Through this experience, I developed a nuanced understanding of the financial health of a CPG company, particularly in terms of managing relationships with retail partners, driving consistent sales growth, and making data-driven decisions to protect profitability.

Yes, I have experience creating detailed financial models for startups, drawing on both my academic background and practical projects. While I haven’t worked directly with a startup in a professional capacity, my coursework and extracurricular activities have equipped me with the skills to develop investor-friendly financial models, projections, and key metrics—exactly what Bashi needs for its pitch decks. During my BSc in Economics with Finance at the University of Edinburgh, I’ve taken courses like Corporate Finance and Applications of Finance, where I built financial models from scratch. For instance, in a Corporate Finance project, I constructed a discounted cash flow (DCF) model to value a hypothetical early-stage company, incorporating revenue forecasts, cost assumptions, and profitability milestones over a 3-year horizon. I focused on clarity, ensuring the outputs—like burn rate and break-even points—were easy to interpret for stakeholders, much like what’s needed for an investor pitch deck. Beyond coursework, as part of the University of Edinburgh Private Equity Society, I worked on a 15-person team to create a leveraged buyout (LBO) model for a target company. My role was to project 1-year and 3-year financials, including revenue growth and cash flow, while highlighting value creation strategies. We presented our findings to a panel, refining the model to ensure it was both detailed and digestible—skills directly applicable to Bashi’s need for clear projections and milestones. Additionally, I completed the Wall Street Oasis Microsoft Excel for Financial Modelling Course, where I honed my ability to build dynamic models with sensitivity analyses, and Udemy’s Complete Investment Banking Course 2025, which introduced me to crafting DCF, multiples, and LBO valuations. These projects gave me hands-on practice in structuring financial data that’s both robust and pitch-ready. While my internships—at Stable Asset Management, CIBC, and Jefferies—focused more on analysis than startup modeling, they deepened my understanding of markets and deal components, which I’d leverage to contextualize Bashi’s kava-based beverage projections. I’m confident I can deliver detailed, investor-friendly models with clear 1- and 3-year forecasts, burn rates, and profitability milestones for Bashi’s pitch decks, blending technical precision with a startup-friendly narrative.