I'm Ethan Finkel. I began my career as a fellow at a venture firm before joining a portfolio monitoring software company. Over five years there, I analyzed the financial statements of thousands of startups, built and led the VC analyst team, and spent three years as a product manager developing software for venture firms, CFOs, and operations teams.
Since then, I've joined the founding team of an early-stage startup, made angel investments, and supported venture firms with investment diligence. My reviews draw on that combination of software, operating, and investing experience, as well as conversations with the people who evaluate and use these products every day.
Where do these reviews come from?
The reviews reflect my own assessment of each product, informed by hands-on use, product demonstrations, and conversations with venture firms and their operations teams. The methodology explains how I evaluate products, while the editorial policy describes how sponsorships are handled.
Prior Writing on Venture Capital Strategy
I also write about venture capital strategy, operations, and data. In Data Strategy in Venture Capital, I compare the data rigor of public and private markets and explain how better portfolio data can improve underwriting, asset allocation, and support for portfolio companies.
Types of Products That I Cover
I focus on software that is used by VC firms, CFOs, and operations teams to run their businesses. Private market tools for investors more broadly may be considered at a later date.