Suggestions
Chris Schwalbach
Senior Manager at Apple with extensive experience in product design and engineering
Chris Schwalbach, Strategic Advisor at Preservation Systems Inc.
Chris Schwalbach is a serial startup CFO and the founder and former CEO of AVL Growth Partners.1 He recently announced his return to AVL Growth Partners as CEO in September 2024.3
Some key facts about Chris Schwalbach:
- He is based in Boulder, Colorado1
- He has over 500+ connections on LinkedIn1
- He is curious, inquisitive, and a quick learner. He is a self-starter who tackles problems and assignments head-on. He is bright and personable.2
Chris Schwalbach seems to be an experienced startup executive and investor who has founded and led AVL Growth Partners, a growth advisory firm. He recently rejoined the company as CEO after previously stepping away from the role.
Highlights
𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙏𝙤 𝙂𝙤 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 Whether racing or driving around town, most of us simply "know" that the purpose of brakes is to slow down the car. And that's why I love this quote. It's actually quite counterintuitive. Brakes actually allow you to drive FASTER!
I also love this quote because it applies so well to running growing companies. As CFOs, some key areas of our role are leveraging systems, ensuring process adherence, and establishing and enforcing controls.
And after so many years in the #fractionalCFO space, I know that CFOs regularly face resistance via statements like, "Why are you putting all these hurdles in our way? You are slowing us down!"
However, like the misunderstood function of brakes in racing, these are not obstacles but enablers of speed and efficiency. Done well, they ensure that a company's operations are effective and efficient (and ready for scale), its financial reporting is accurate, and so much more.
Done well, this allows the organization's energy to focus on GOING FASTER because they know the proverbial brakes are there to support them as they are speeding crazily around the track!
#AVLGrowth #entrepreneurship #LFGrow
I'd like to contribute to the many notes of sadness around the end of the Techstars #Boulder program and its HQ move to NYC. I am reflecting today on Techstars' impact on me and AVL Growth Partners. I founded AVL shortly after Techstars' launch, and many of my earliest clients came from Techstars and many more through the years since.
I also received so much guidance, support, and encouragement from the entrepreneurs themselves, not only as clients but also as colleagues, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs.
I remember when: Cliff Shaw encouraged me to be crafty and stay to work out of the Techstars offices because "there are 10 other companies here who need to get their 'numerical narrative' ready for Demo Day!"
David Mandell gave me some very pointed feedback and helped me up my game as a CFO.
Yoav Lurie & Justin Segall connected me to my first CFO hire way back in 2010 and encouraged me to "be the CFO of the CFOs" and scale AVL!
Taylor McLemore referred me to so many entrepreneurs with his kind words.
There are so many people & stories through the years. So, thank you, Techstars, for making such a great #givefirst community here in Boulder!
