Why So Many Startups Fail at $1M with Rich Zhou, Founder and CEO of Aquifer Growth

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Rich Zhou, Founder and CEO of Aquifer Growth, joins Megan Weis to discuss the evolving role of CFO and how that evolution necessitates a trifecta of finance, strategy, and leadership. They also touch upon financial planning in an ever-changing world and the adoption of cloud across the F&A function. With over a decade of experience in capital markets, corporate finance, and fintech, Rich has developed deep expertise in helping companies navigate financial complexities during crucial growth phases. His background includes serving as one of the first financial hires at a successful Toronto-based fintech company that grew from 5 to 300 employees. What You’ll Learn: How the CFO role has evolved from traditional accounting to become a critical strategic partner for growth and scalability Why the $1 million revenue mark is the crucial turning point for businesses to implement professional financial management The essential framework for building accurate financial forecasts beyond simple revenue projections How cloud adoption is transforming financial operations through improved accessibility, control, and real-time insights The emerging impact of AI and cloud technologies on reducing monthly closing times and improving financial decision-making