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Top Startup Advisors Making an Impact in 2025
Top Startup Advisors Making an Impact in 2025
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- March 25, 2025
Every successful entrepreneur knows that building a startup is a challenging journey. From strategic decisions to overcoming failures, having the right guidance can make all the difference. This is where startup Advisors come in. These experienced professionals provide industry insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can drive startups toward success.
A startup consultant is more than just a mentor—they are strategic partners who help founders avoid costly mistakes and accelerate business growth. Their contributions extend beyond advice, often shaping the very foundation of a startup’s success. Here’s why they matter:
- Expert Guidance – Advisors help founders refine their vision, strategy, and execution, ensuring that they make informed decisions.
- Industry Insights – With deep knowledge of specific sectors, Advisors provide critical insights on market trends, competition, and innovation.
- Networking & Introductions – Access to the right people at the right time can make or break a startup. Advisors open doors to investors, customers, and key partners.
- Strategic Problem-Solving – Startups face constant challenges, from product-market fit to scaling operations.
- Credibility & Trust – Having reputable Advisors on board increases a startup’s credibility, making it easier to attract investors and business partners.
Whether you’re in the early stages of launching a startup or scaling your business, the right consultant can be a game-changer.
Top Must-Follow Startup Advisors in 2025
In the ever-evolving world of startups, having the right guidance can make all the difference. As 2025 approaches, we’ve compiled a list of the top startup Advisors who can help you stand out in your market and create a lasting impact
A leading voice in Web3 and blockchain innovation, Kyle Ellicott is a venture partner and strategic advisor specializing in emerging technologies. As the former Principal Blockchain & dApps Analyst at Topio Networks, he has been at the forefront of digital transformation for over 15 years. A TEDx speaker, published author, and operating executive, Kyle has advised venture capital funds, family offices, and over 200 startups across blockchain, AI, finance, media, and IoT, helping raise over $130 million in funding.
Since 2015, he has worked closely with governments, corporations, and startup communities in Asia, building cross-border pathways for entrepreneurs looking to expand in U.S. and Asian markets. Recognized for his relentless drive and deep industry expertise, Kyle is a sought-after keynote speaker and strategist, known for his ability to navigate complex ecosystems and accelerate business growth.
Tyler specializes in growth strategies through partnerships, ecosystem development, and go-to-market execution. He has built and led high-performing teams, launched successful products, and structured strategic deals that drive long-term value. His expertise lies in creating win-win collaborations that enhance customer success and unlock new revenue streams.
A former executive at ServiceTitan and Google, he played a key role in driving growth at ServiceTitan, contributing to its success leading up to an IPO. His experience in scaling partnerships and executing go-to-market strategies makes him a valuable Advisor for startups aiming to expand efficiently.
Tyler’s openness about this experience serves as an important lesson for founders and executives—success isn’t just about the next opportunity but also about recognizing when to pause and recharge.
A seasoned expert in business strategy, M&A, and corporate venture, this advisor is dedicated to driving the growth, sustainability, and transformation of startups. As an investor and strategic consultant, he specializes in corporate development, venture capital, and global business expansion.
He collaborates closely with Google for Startups, advising on the selection of promising founders, particularly supporting Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. A respected public speaker, he frequently shares insights at top industry summits and webinars.
With 15 years of leadership experience, he has played a key role in shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering diversity, and creating opportunities for emerging businesses.
With over 12 years of experience in digital marketing, Araks Nalbandyan has played a key role in driving growth for B2B software products. Her expertise spans SEO, product marketing, influencer strategies, and affiliate marketing, making her a valuable asset for startups looking to scale.
Araks has worked closely with early-stage startups and established businesses, helping them optimize acquisition channels, enhance product storytelling, and refine brand positioning. She has successfully developed growth engines that drive daily sign-ups, along with founder-led content strategies that resonate with target audiences. Her guidance is instrumental in securing funding and accelerating startup success.
She actively shares her insights through LinkedIn blogs, webinars, and panel discussions, providing valuable knowledge to the startup community. Her willingness to help and her extensive understanding of digital marketing, AI, and website growth strategies make her a trusted Advisor for entrepreneurs.
With 15+ years of experience in leadership, sales, operations, tech strategy, and innovation, Jeff focuses on identifying high-potential strategic opportunities and driving change to shape the future of organizations. He brings a unique blend of skills, working across various sectors, including defense, cybersecurity, and technology.
Currently, he leads Shift5, a company that unlocks onboard data ecosystems, enabling real-time decision-making and cybersecurity insights for operations and maintenance teams across fleets. Jeff is a startup investor and mentor, working with early-stage venture firms and transformative technologies. Through Dcode, he assists tech companies in scaling within the federal market, bridging the gap between the tech industry and government missions.
Previously, he led sales and strategic accounts for the U.S. Space Force at Palo Alto Networks, managing divisions such as Strata, Cortex, and Prisma, which provide comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. He identified strategic business opportunities, developed channel partnerships, and implemented sales strategies across the Department of Defense.
A startup consultant, investor, and financial strategist, Tino is the Co-Founder and CEO of a startup consultancy, guiding early-stage companies through fundraising, financial planning, and strategic growth. As a mentor with the Newchip Accelerator, he helps startups refine their financial strategies and scale effectively.
Through his office, managing $10M AUM, he has invested in notable companies such as Bombas, Cleancult, DoneGood, Kraken, SpaceX, and more. His background as an Investment Banking Associate focused on the upstream oil and gas industry, where he executed over $4B in capital markets and M&A transactions. Additionally, he has successfully advised startups on over $12M in seed and growth financing.
Tino is known for his expertise in financial modeling, strategic rationale, and market research. He has been praised for his ability to simplify complex financial frameworks, making them accessible and actionable for startups. His approach is both analytical and adaptable, ensuring that businesses have the tools they need to secure funding and scale successfully.
Matt specializes in helping early-stage technology startups understand product-market fit, find early adopters, and scale. Throughout his career, he has successfully supported many businesses in launching products, acquiring users, and growing revenue. His expertise spans from the pre-launch stage to helping startups achieve mass-market growth, ensuring companies are prepared to navigate the challenges of each phase.
Having worked with a diverse range of technology companies, he understands the unique challenges that early-stage businesses face. He excels at creating tailored marketing strategies that are designed to optimize user acquisition, engagement, and long-term retention. His strategic approach allows startups to move efficiently from initial traction to sustained growth.
Matt’s extensive experience in marketing also includes advising startups on fundraising, performance marketing, app store optimization (ASO), and product and marketing analytics. With a strong background in CRM and product marketing, he helps businesses maximize conversion rates and scale their marketing efforts effectively.
With a rich background in advising startups and investors, Valery specializes in a range of services, including founder coaching, fundraising, and investor relations for startups. On the investor side, he is involved in deal flow sourcing, screening investment opportunities, and conducting due diligence.
He currently serves as an Advisor for Eppie, a decentralized and encrypted email service, where he helps guide its growth in the evolving space of digital privacy. Eppie transforms email users into owners, securing their data by encrypting and distributing it across a decentralized network.
He also mentors startups at the ISE Accelerator & Venture Capital Firm, a major ecosystem builder in the CEE region, providing guidance to early-stage companies seeking growth and investment opportunities.
In his role as Venture Partner at Network VC, he supports startups at the seed to series A stage, investing in promising companies with a focus on early-stage funding from $100k to $500k.
A seasoned startup advisor and financial strategist, Lei has spent years guiding early-stage companies through critical financial decisions and growth strategies. As the Chief Financial Officer at Advisor Finance, she has provided CFO and financial controller services to numerous technology startups, helping them navigate fundraising, financial planning, and operational scaling.
Her expertise extends into real estate as the Principal Broker at Blue Whale Realty, where she specializes in property transactions and mortgage solutions. Beyond her executive roles, she actively mentors startups through leading accelerator programs, including 500 Startups, Techstars, and Plug and Play Tech Center.
With a strong background in finance and venture-building, she has worked with startups across different industries, offering strategic financial insights that drive sustainable growth. Her hands-on approach and deep understanding of startup ecosystems make her a trusted advisor for founders looking to scale efficiently and secure funding.
A seasoned startup consultant and investor, Aleksandr brings over a decade of experience in building, scaling, and advising early-stage companies. Having founded multiple startups, he has deep expertise in organizational development, securing investments, and forging strategic partnerships.
With a strong background in financial and legal consulting for startups, he helps companies craft effective investment strategies and navigate complex funding landscapes. His insights extend to marketing development and scaling, ensuring that startups position themselves for long-term success.
Known for his ability to identify innovative solutions and drive business growth, he is a trusted advisor for founders looking to attract investors, optimize operations, and expand their market reach.
Ken is a seasoned tech futurist and innovator with a track record of helping startups, established brands, and non-profits drive growth and transformation. His expertise spans startup consulting, business modeling, fintech, economic development, and blockchain, with a strong focus on innovation and emerging technologies.
Throughout his career, Ken has developed and executed cutting-edge product and innovation strategies, launched accelerator programs, and led high-performing teams. His work has been recognized in top publications like Fast Company, Variety, and Advertising Week, solidifying his reputation as a game-changer in digital R&D. Whether delivering keynotes, advising on business strategy, or pioneering new solutions, Ken is known as a secret weapon for organizations looking to stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.
Fabio is an accomplished entrepreneur and digital strategist with a proven track record in scaling tech companies and driving global digital transformation. He has co-founded and launched two B2B marketplaces, including a corporate-backed platform with multibillion-dollar revenue and thousands of users. His expertise spans startup consulting, business modeling, venture capital, fundraising, and blockchain, making him a sought-after advisor for high-growth companies.
With extensive experience in securing pre-seed, seed, and Series A/B funding rounds, Fabio specializes in global expansion strategies, particularly in EMEA and APAC. He has worked with startups and large enterprises alike, helping them navigate the complexities of scaling, business planning, and financial modeling. As a freelancer, he partners with Series A/B startups, providing strategic guidance, team-building support, and executive coaching to C-level leaders, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success.
John is a seasoned business strategist with a unique mixture of expertise in management, innovation, and growth. He specializes in building and scaling products and businesses that stand out in competitive markets. His experience spans startup consulting, growth strategy, business operations, financial strategy, and market research, making him a trusted advisor for companies looking to accelerate their success.
With a background in corporate law, finance, sales, business development, marketing, and product strategy, John takes an end-to-end approach to business growth. He integrates his diverse skill set to guide startups through market entry, fundraising, financial modeling, and operational scaling. As a fractional COO and consultant, he helps companies refine their business models, craft compelling pitch decks, and implement data-driven strategies to drive sustainable growth.
Gerisha is an experienced Product Operations Leader, currently heading the function at Bentley Systems. Previously, she led Product Ops at UK payments scale-up Dojo and fintech unicorn TrueLayer. Passionate about the evolving role of Product Ops, she is always open to connecting and discussing industry trends.
Beyond her leadership roles, she is an active advisor, working with startups and scale-ups to develop and optimize their Product Operations strategies. She helps businesses streamline processes, improve cross-functional collaboration, and scale efficiently. Her expertise in product-led growth, operational efficiency, and strategic execution makes her a valuable resource for companies looking to build high-performing product teams.
She holds an MBA from Oxford, where she focused on social impact and entrepreneurship. Before her MBA, she worked in investment and accounting in South Africa, gaining a global perspective on finance, business, and innovation.
Wrapping Up
As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, having the right advisor can make all the difference in navigating challenges, scaling efficiently, and securing funding. Whether you’re a startup looking for guidance or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, these advisors are making a lasting impact on the startup world.
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