For founders, CEOs & investors

Fractional CxO &
Startup Coaching

I’ve spent 30 years building, operating, and turning around startups — as CEO, COO, and advisor across dozens of companies. I’ve helped raise over $50M, navigated investor crises, rebuilt teams from the ground up, and brought products to market. I’ve sat across the table from Khosla Ventures, First Round Capital, KPCB, and a dozen other firms. I know how that room works.

Book an intro call → Book coaching — $250/hr
Why work with me

Most people don’t need more advice or simplistic frameworks. They need someone who has been in the room where the hard decisions get made — and who will tell them what they need to hear, then help make it happen.

Whether you’re a founder who wants an occasional thought partner, a CEO who needs an experienced, hands-on executive a few hours a week, or a senior executive exploring what it takes to go fractional yourself — I’ve lived it. Thirty years of startups, turnarounds, shutdowns, layoffs, and acquisitions. I’ve been in your shoes.

Who this is for

A range of stages. The same hands-on approach.

For founders & entrepreneurs
🚀

First-time founders

As you navigate the waters of starting a company, a wide variety of issues come up. We work as-needed via one-hour Zoom sessions — MVPs, feedback, first deals, operating budgets, fundraising, and more.

💡

Aspiring entrepreneurs

Have an idea and curious how to bring it to reality — or whether entrepreneurship is even right for you? A few 1:1 sessions can help you avoid costly mistakes and focus your time and resources on what matters most to get started.

For growing companies
📊

CEOs starting to scale

Being a CEO is hard and lonely, and a full-time seasoned executive may be out of budget. I’ve been a CEO, COO, and CFO, and blend that experience to bridge the gap until your business can afford a full-time team.

🧭

BODs / Investors

Have a portfolio company that needs a steady hand, or a founder ready to elevate into a great CEO? I bring an objective, no-nonsense approach to quickly understand a business and what needs to happen.

Coaching

A direct, experienced thinking partner.

I work 1:1 with founders who need a direct, experienced thinking partner. No frameworks pulled from a book. No standardized process. Just sharp, honest advice grounded in 30 years of doing it.

“He was particularly helpful with early product and business model strategy, plus helped build and review our pitch presentations. A valuable advisor in a very practical sense.”
— Peter Yewell, co-founder & CEO, Outpatient

“Eric has been an invaluable advisor in helping me strengthen both my business strategy and my leadership. He brought clarity to our financial planning by helping us better organize our operating expenses, while also asking thoughtful questions that helped me make stronger strategic decisions. I’m deeply grateful for his guidance and highly recommend him to any founder looking for a trusted business advisor.”
— Wendy De Rosa, Founder, School of Intuitive Studies

Fractional CxO

I embed. I don’t just advise.

I embed in your business as a part-time operating executive. I’m not here to observe — I’m here to work. Strategy, hiring, financial modeling, go-to-market, and investor relations. Whatever the business needs most right now.

“Eric quickly dove into the details of the business and helped support investors while working with me to redirect the business and team in a new direction.”
— Gary Clayton, CEO, Owl Camera

See how I work

A quick introduction.

How engagements work

Two ways to start.

About Eric
Eric Grafstrom

Eric Grafstrom

Fractional CxO & Startup Coach · Austin, TX

I started my career as the first person dumb enough to sell webcasting in 1996. It worked out — broadcast.com was acquired by Yahoo, and I spent years in Silicon Valley building and breaking things before figuring out what I was actually good at.

I’ve served as CEO and COO across dozens of companies. I know what it looks like when a business is working and when it isn’t. And I know what it costs — personally and professionally — to figure that out without a guide.

30+
Years operating experience
25+
Companies as fractional CxO
$1M+
Generated as a consultant
A few companies I’ve worked with: Coast · Owl Camera · Kiddom · Teespring · YourFranchise Pros · ExitGuide · Xobni · broadcast.com → Yahoo
Connect on LinkedIn

Let’s talk about your business

Tell me a bit about what you’re working on and what kind of help you’re looking for. I read every message myself and reply within 24 hours.

I read every message myself and reply within 24 hours.

About 1 minute
Eric Grafstrom · Fractional CxO & Startup Coach eric@ericgrafstrom.com