SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Launch Finance, a women-owned, financial services firm dedicated to supporting venture-backed startups and venture capital firms, announced today that is has finalized formation and is now offering startups and venture firms cost-effective, tailored, financial solutions. The new firm combines the core competencies and decades of Silicon Valley financial leadership by uniting partners Deborah Kranz, Shauna Barker and Laina Payne.
Launch Finance’s mission is to help startups and venture capital firms with the financial support they need to be successful. Working inside venture capital firms, Deborah Kranz recognized the unique needs of startups to access fractional finance teams who could provide turnkey finance and HR solutions to startups. Formerly CEO of one of the most successful interim CFO consulting firms that she grew and sold, Kranz, along with colleagues Barker and Payne, learned what startups need to be successful. They bring a breadth of experience and knowledge to their startups by offering a practical, proven approach steeped in experience; Launch Finance’s support ensures access to expertise as well as industry data.
“We understand the unique needs of venture-backed startup companies, so we add value at all stages of the company’s lifecycle. We are experts in establishing best accounting practices, developing fund raising strategies, leveraging less dilutive debt structures, and formulating successful exit strategies,” said Kranz, Launch Finance co-founder and venture debt expert. Kranz has 35 years’ experience in strategic executive roles in startups and venture capital, along with Fortune 100 and Big 4 CPA experience. She has contributed to the success of high-profile startups with significant fundraising and M&A knowledge, as well as negotiating hundreds of transformative debt lines.
“We are excited about joining forces again with the formation of Launch Finance. The three of us have unique backgrounds that, when combined, enable us to offer a one-of-a-kind combination of skills at a fraction of the cost to acquire those skills in house,” added Barker, Launch Finance co-founder and CFO. Barker has more than 25 years’ experience in strategic financial executive roles at both public and private companies. She started her career as a CPA at Ernst and Young and later earned a Wharton MBA with a concentration in finance. A strategic thinker, Barker has taken several companies public, managed a number of M&A transactions, and has deep expertise in semiconductors and manufacturing industries.
“The magic of what we do is bring a startup company a seasoned, full-service team to get them up and running financially or manage the day-to-day accounting so they can focus on building their businesses. However, our experience is broad, so we can also lead a carve out of a public company or augment existing teams if they should need it,” said Payne, Launch Finance co-founder and VP of Finance. A former Big 4 CPA, Payne has 25 years’ experience as a results-driven financial executive both in-house and as a consultant for successful private companies; she has also held management positions in operations, business development and marketing.
Concluded Kranz, “Having built and sold one of the most successful interim financial services companies, we know what it takes to achieve higher valuations. We are excited to bring all our clients a broad range of experience and knowledge we have gained from the many client successes we have had over the years.”
About Launch Finance
Launch Finance is a women-owned, financial services firm dedicated to serving startups and venture firms at all stages of growth and across all industries with high-quality, cost-effective financial solutions. To learn more about how Launch Finance can transform your business, visit http://www.launchfinance.com/.
