The Story Behind xalenoraviaq
We started xalenoraviaq in 2019 because we saw too many promising Australian startups struggle with fundraising. Not because their ideas weren't good enough, but because they were approaching it wrong.
How We Actually Help Startups
Most funding consultants throw around buzzwords and promise magic bullets. We don't. After working with over 200 startups across Australia, we've learned that successful fundraising comes down to three things: knowing your numbers inside out, telling your story clearly, and approaching the right investors at the right time.
Take our client Nexus Tech from Brisbane. They'd been pitching for eight months with no luck. Their product was solid, their market opportunity was real, but their financial projections were all over the place. We spent six weeks rebuilding their entire fundraising strategy from scratch. They closed their Series A three months later.
That's typical for us. We don't promise overnight success or guaranteed funding — that would be dishonest. What we do is roll up our sleeves and work with you to build something investors actually want to see. Sometimes that takes longer than expected, but it works.
Meet the People Who Make It Happen
We're not your typical consultants. Both of us have been on the other side of the table — Keiran as an investment banker, Stellan as a startup founder who raised three successful rounds.
Keiran Blackridge
Founding Partner
Spent 12 years in investment banking before getting fed up with how startups were being treated. Now helps founders speak the language that actually gets investors interested. Has a weakness for overly complex spreadsheets and terrible coffee.
Stellan Voss
Strategy Director
Founded two startups, sold one, learned from the other. Raised .2M across three rounds before joining xalenoraviaq. Knows exactly what it feels like to pitch to skeptical investors because he's been there. Still codes occasionally when nobody's looking.
Our Approach Is Different
We don't follow templates or use cookie-cutter strategies. Every startup is different, every market has its quirks, and every founder has their own story to tell. Our job is helping you figure out what makes your company investable — then building a strategy around that reality.
Honest Assessment
We'll tell you if your valuation is unrealistic or if you're not ready to fundraise yet. Better to hear it from us than from investors who'll just say no without explanation.
Practical Strategy
No theoretical frameworks or academic nonsense. We focus on what actually works based on hundreds of real fundraising campaigns we've been part of.
Long-term Thinking
Fundraising isn't a one-time event. We help you build relationships and processes that work for future rounds too. Think of it as an investment in your company's capital strategy.
Ready to Build Your Fundraising Strategy?
Let's have an honest conversation about where your startup stands and what it'll take to get investors interested. No sales pitch, just straight talk about your options.
Start the Conversation