Challenge
Financial operations were being managed by a single person wearing too many hats, without the depth of professional accounting expertise needed to scale. Relying on one person to handle the complexities of finance left the business vulnerable, making it difficult to confidently manage growth and deliver the level of financial clarity investors expect.
Background
Early on at Prowler, a fast growing open source, free cloud security tool, Rich, Director of Business Operations at Prowler, knew a strong financial function would be essential. Hiring in-house wasn’t an option, so he did his homework—asking around and vetting options. He wanted a team he could trust to deliver the best services for the best value. Just as important, he was looking for access to seasoned Fractional CFOs who could provide the strategic insight.
Why OpStart?
Prowler chose OpStart on a trusted recommendation, then confirmed it through rigorous diligence—interviewing six or seven finance firms. OpStart quickly rose to the top, offering the strongest combination of services and pricing.
“There wasn’t another company that was close on the services offered and the price.”
Solution and Impact
The solution? First providing the essentials— keeping the books clean, compliant, and investor-ready. Beyond that foundation, OpStart delivered real value through specialized services like maximizing the R&D tax credit, which made a major financial impact. In addition, having access to a seasoned CFO gave him trusted guidance on company next steps.
Just how much financial impact?
Prowler partnered with OpStart to streamline their finances and unlock hidden value. Through our R&D tax credit process, Prowler saw their investment in OpStart turn into a major return on investment—80% ROI to be exact. Instead of being a back-office cost, OpStart became a profit driver, proving the value of having a true financial co-founder in their corner.
For every $1 spent with OpStart, the client realized $1.80 in value from R&D tax credits alone.
Advice for Founders
We asked Rich for his best advice to founders—here’s what he shared; “In a world that’s changing faster than ever, it’s vital to seek out peers who can give you the real deal and walk alongside you.” OpStart gives Prowler peace of mind with clean books, meaningful savings through the R&D tax credit, and trusted CFO guidance to confidently plan its next steps.
