March 27, 2025

Are Startups Dying? The Brutal Reality of VC in 2025

Today, James sits down with Aarish Shah from Emerge One. They discuss Aarish’s remarkable journey in building a successful fractional CFO business in just four years, growing to over 25 consultants. Aarish shares his transition from traditional finance roles to becoming a fractional CFO, the inception of his podcast, and the importance of relationships and data in business. Don’t miss Aarish’s incredible experiences in places like Papua New Guinea and his thoughts on the current venture capital landscape!
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Gross Profit Podcast
Are Startups Dying? The Brutal Reality of VC in 2025
Loading
/

Show Notes

In this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Aarish Shah, founder of Emerge One, to discuss the shifting landscape of venture capital and what it means for startups in 2025.

Aarish shares his journey from traditional finance to launching a thriving fractional CFO business—scaling to 25+ consultants in just four years. He also dives into the critical role of relationships, data, and financial strategy in today’s uncertain market.

Plus, Aarish shares fascinating stories from his time in Papua New Guinea and his take on how startups can survive and thrive despite tightening VC funding.

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 Is VC Drying Up? – The real state of venture capital and why many startups are struggling to secure funding.
🔹 Scaling a CFO Firm – How Aarish grew Emerge One from the ground up to over 25 consultants.
🔹 The Power of Relationships – Why networking and trust matter more than ever in finance and business.
🔹 From Finance to Founder – Aarish’s career pivot and what he’s learned from his entrepreneurial journey.
🔹 Global Business Insights – Wild stories from working in Papua New Guinea and how it shaped Aarish’s approach to business.

Episode Highlights:

💬 “Startups aren’t dead—but the rules of the game have changed. Founders need to adapt fast.” – Aarish Shah

💬 “The best fractional CFOs don’t just manage numbers—they build financial strategies that drive growth.”

💬 “Data and relationships are the foundation of every great business decision.”

At Emerge One, Aarish and his team provide high-level CFO support to scaling startups, helping founders navigate fundraising, financial planning, and growth strategies in a volatile market.

Join us for more episodes of the Gross Profit Podcast!

Subscribe now for insider insights, expert advice, and real-world stories from finance leaders, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. 🎧

This podcast is tagged under:

The Gross Profit Podcast

More Episodes

Merushka Chetty

Aldo Aprile -Why Restaurants REALLY Fail

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Aldo Aprile, CPA and founder of Aprile CPA, to explore why every fractional CFO needs a close partnership with a tax expert – and why savvy business owners should plan taxes year-round, not just at filing time. Drawing on Aldo’s upbringing in a Peruvian family restaurant, his stints at GE, AmEx, PF Chang’s and more, they dig into restaurant prime-cost math, setting performance incentives, and the critical tax-planning moves that can save entrepreneurs tens of thousands each year.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Christophe Gantzer – Swiss Expert: Your Supply Chain Will Fail

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Christophe Gantzer, fractional CFO and co-founder of Clear Edge, to unpack the seismic shift in ESG and sustainability reporting across Europe – and what it means for Swiss and EU businesses alike. Drawing on his 20+ years in finance and his unique perspective as a French expat in Switzerland, Christophe explains the new CSRD/ESRS framework, how non-financial KPIs are now a finance function imperative, and why risk management must expand to cover environmental and social “debts.” Along the way, he shares real-world examples – from chocolate price shocks to cyber-risk parallels – that illustrate why CFOs can no longer sit on the sidelines of sustainability.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Scott Clements – The Outsourcing Secret NOBODY is Talking About!

James Kennedy welcomes Scott Clements, co-founder of Park Financial LLC and seasoned fractional CFO, to explore how he’s built a coast-to-coast advisory practice using online tools, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Drawing on his unique journey – from EY auditor to high-school math teacher and back into finance – Scott reveals how he leverages technology and referral networks to serve clients nationwide. He also shares the systems he uses to manage feast-or-famine cash flows, balance in-house versus outsourced talent, and position his firm for steady, sustainable growth.

Listen Now »