Marius Dan Rus
Management Consulting Expert
Location
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Toptal Member Since
April 7, 2017
After a decade in banking and an MBA at UC Berkeley, Marius focuses on consulting, investing, and executing complex deals in seed, growth equity, and distressed debt. He specializes in market analysis, pricing, modeling and valuation, due diligence, capital restructuring, and turnarounds. He loves challenging projects and working with smart, talented people—freelancing lets him do just that while also allowing him to spend time with his family.
Marius is available for hire
Hire MariusCareer Highlights
Strategy Manager
Evozon Systems
Investment Manager
ROCA Investments (previously CITR)
Associate
The Bear Fund
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley
Master's Degree
Babes-Bolyai University
Bachelor's Degree
Babes-Bolyai University
Case Studies
LBO Analysis
Industry AnalysisPrecedent Transaction AnalysisSensitivity AnalysisIRRDue DiligenceLeveraged Buyout (LBO)+ 11 more
Investor Presentation
InvestmentsDistressed/Special SituationsTransaction ModelingMarket Research & AnalysisIndustry AnalysisDeal Structuring+ 8 more
Expertise
Digital HealthFinancial ModelingFintechFundraisingMarket ResearchRestructuringStrategyValuationWork Experience
2017 - PRESENT
Co-founder | CEO
Stressless SRL
- Founded a startup that developed a healthcare wearable solution for mental health and wellness.
- Ran the activity and provided the vision and resources for developing early prototypes through product launch preparation.
- Created financial models and investor materials for fundraising and successfully closed dilutive and non-dilutive funding in a total amount of $250,000.
- Prepared pitch decks and presented the company in the finals of Techsylvania 2019 Startup Avalanche, GE Healthcare VentureLab 2019 Demo Day, Innovators for Children 2021, and the European InnoStars Awards 2021.
- Secured admission to the GE Healthcare Venture Lab cohort of 2019, a traction-focused healthcare accelerator co-run by EIT Health and General Electric at Budapest, and won the 1st prize in the grand finale of the IA 2021 competition.
Focus areas: Digital Health, Financing, Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Excel Modeling, Project Management, Venture Capital, Market Research, Fundraising, Wearables, Healthcare, Revenue & Expense Projections, Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Partnerships, Business Development, Finance Strategy, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Crowdfunding, Health & Wellness, Healthcare IT, EMEA, Consumer Health, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Data Analytics, Product Launch, Launch Strategy, Investor Relations
2020 - 2023
Financial Expert
Spark School
- Developed extensive financial models for seed raising and EU grant proposals.
- Realized market and industry research on online school solutions.
- Created pitch decks and investor materials for seed and EU grant proposals.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Financial Modeling, Market Research & Analysis, Industry Analysis, Grant Proposals, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Product Launch, Launch Strategy
2019 - 2023
Freelance Financial Consultant
Home Alliance
- Realized pitch decks and investor materials for equity and debt funding and supported the client in raising $2,000,000.
- Created detailed operational and financial models for the appliance repairs and home services company with a turnover of $15 million.
- Accomplished industry and market research, market sizing calculation, and competition assessment.
- Developed a strategy to move toward a home services marketplace.
- Developed financial models and investor materials for a $10 million series A fundraising.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, Financial Modeling, Business Models, Industry Analysis, Marketplaces, Market Research, Pitch Decks, Debt Raises, Fundraising, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Marketplace Platforms, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Launch Strategy, Investor Relations
2022 - 2022
Fundraising and Valuation Expert
Intelligent Assist Pty Ltd
- Developed operational and financial models for an EHR solution.
- Realized deep industry and market research on EHR systems.
- Created pitch deck and investor materials for fundraising.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Digital Health, EHR, Healthcare IT, Consumer Health, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy
2022 - 2022
Market Research Expert
Innovasea Systems Inc.
- Developed extensive market research on salmon farming solutions.
- Researched competitive solutions for deep-sea farming.
- Analyzed the cost, revenue structure, and break-even for different farming options.
Focus areas: Market Research, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Competition Research, Go-to-market Strategy, Data Analytics
2020 - 2022
Finance Expert
RSVTI DIRECT SRL (via Toptal)
- Analyzed and evaluated the financials and growth strategy of an elderly care company operating three housing locations.
- Created complex financial and operational models for future investments in building additional housing locations.
- Developed strategy and models for REIT, a structure for investing in elderly care housing locations.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Seed Fundraising, Financing, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Fundraising Strategy
2019 - 2022
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
S-Biomedic (via Toptal)
- Created extensive market and industry research for several target geographies and product lines.
- Built a complex financial model of a joint venture partnership with a Fortune 500 company focused on reaching a fair split of expenses and returns.
- Developed operational and financial models to support BoA discussions and supported several grant applications for EU funding.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, Finance Strategy, Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Excel Modeling, Project Management, Market Entry, Venture Capital, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Profitability Analysis, Financial Modeling, Grant Proposals, Joint Venture Development, Consumer Behavior, Industry Analysis, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Health & Wellness, EMEA, Consumer Health, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Data Analytics, Product Launch, Launch Strategy
2018 - 2022
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Cairo Angels (via Toptal)
- Built an extended financial and operational model for an investment fund based on revenue share principles.
- Developed dashboards and reporting systems for the existing fund.
- Created a full financial model for follow-up funds with a total AUM of 5 million USD, based on a specifically carried interest split and no management fee model, and for seed funds with a total AUM of 40 million USD, on a traditional 2&20 model.
- Performed modeling, industry research, and valuation for several later-stage/post-revenue investments in diverse industries (profesional services and food and beverage).
Focus areas: Valuation, Financial Modeling, Investment Thesis, Fund Structure, Angel/Seed Funding, Early-stage Venture Capital, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Venture Capital, EMEA, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Investor Relations
2020 - 2020
Freelance Financial Consultant
Lightways (via Toptal)
- Realized detailed industry and market analysis for digital banking (neobanking and challenger banking) on global and regional levels.
- Deep-dived on competition assessment on specific geographic and customer segment perspectives.
- Performed secondary research regarding potential consumer behavior across a wide range of potential users, with specific focus recommendations.
Focus areas: Neobanks, Digital Banking, Fintech, Industry Analysis, Market Research, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), EMEA
2020 - 2020
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Resolute (via Toptal)
- Created a detailed operational and financial model for a regtech startup developing a governing, compliance, and reporting platform for the MENA region.
- Realized the market research, market sizing calculation, and competition assessment for the regtech and GCR industry.
- Developed the pitch materials and fundraising strategy.
Focus areas: Regtech, SaaS, Strategy, Fintech, Financing, Finance Strategy, Modeling, Excel Modeling, Market Entry, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Market Assessment, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), EMEA, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting
2019 - 2020
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Sketchy (via Toptal)
- Realized extensive market analysis for e-learning tools.
- Performed secondary research regarding potential consumer behavior across wide range of potential users.
Focus areas: Strategy, Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Excel Modeling, Market Entry, Market Research, Consumer Behavior, Market Assessment, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM)
2019 - 2019
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
FreeRoots (via Toptal)
- Created a detailed operational and financial model for a startup developing a social media based platform for grassroots advocacy.
- Realized the market research, market sizing calculation, and competition assessment.
- Developed the pitch materials and a fundraising strategy.
Focus areas: Strategy, Finance Strategy, Modeling, Excel Modeling, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Market Assessment, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Software as a Service (SaaS), Fundraising Strategy
2019 - 2019
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
iForums (via Toptal)
- Created a detailed operational and financial model for a social media startup developing a voice connection API for forum users.
- Realized the market research, market sizing calculation, and competition assessment.
- Developed the pitch materials and fundraising strategy.
Focus areas: Finance Strategy, Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Excel Modeling, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Market Assessment, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Software as a Service (SaaS), EMEA, Fundraising Strategy
2019 - 2019
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Modarati
- Built a complete operational and financial model for a B2B video-based platform for the fashion industry.
- Created the financial and funding pitch deck presentation for angel/seed raising.
Focus areas: Modeling, Excel Modeling, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Seed Fundraising, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Fashion, Fundraising Strategy
2019 - 2019
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Serhal (via Toptal)
- Built a complete financial model for the launching of a sports-inspired/athleisure line of clothing.
- Worked with the entrepreneur in developing the pitch deck and investor materials.
Focus areas: Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Excel Modeling, Market Entry, Fundraising, Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Pitch Decks, Seed Fundraising, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Fashion, Fundraising Strategy
2018 - 2019
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Notio (via Toptal)
- Realized detailed statistical analysis of RE transactions and value drivers across diverse geographies between 2007 and present.
- Created a real estate investment and valuation model.
- Built a full real estate investment fund model, integrating individual valuation and investment models, multiple types of leveraged acquisitions across 10-15 years, and Waterfall return distributions, valuation, and return calculations.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, Strategy, Modeling, Excel Modeling, Project Management, Venture Capital, Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Waterfall Development, Transaction Modeling, REITs, Mortgages, Mortgage REITs, Investment Thesis, Finance, Real Estate, Fundraising Strategy, Data Analytics
2018 - 2018
Freelance Financial Modeling Expert
Siren (via Toptal)
- Realized a detailed competitive analysis of incumbents and digital alternatives for grocery acquisition apps in US and Russia.
- Created a spending and consumption structure for groceries in the US and Russia.
Focus areas: Modeling, Excel Modeling, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM)
2018 - 2018
Series A Fundraising Expert
Veee/Premium Digital (via Toptal)
- Realized the market and competitive landscape research.
- Built detailed financial-and-operational models, including an extensive variance-and-sensitivity analysis.
- Analyzed and finetuned the business model and GtM strategy.
- Created a company valuation on the VC valuation method, comps, precedent transactions, and cap table.
- Developed the investor materials and pitch deck for €3+ million Series A fundraising.
Focus areas: Market Research, Fundraising, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Series A, Pricing Strategy, Funding Strategy, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Cash Flow Modeling, Revenue Modeling, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Fashion, EMEA, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting
2018 - 2018
Freelance Fundraising Expert for "Agile Marketing"
Revvelo (via Toptal)
- Created a detailed operational and financial model for a prelaunch startup developing a specialized project management tool.
- Realized the market research, market sizing calculation, and competition assessment for the collaboration and project management SaaS players.
- Analyzed and developed the pricing strategy and model.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, SaaS, Fundraising, Financial Modeling, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Software as a Service (SaaS), EMEA, Fundraising Strategy
2017 - 2018
Deal Structure and Finance Manager
Risky Business
- Built an extended financial and operational model for €20 million in fundraising.
- Ran financial due diligence and structured the first deal which included participation from Romanian angel investors.
- Created the first financial reporting system for the fund.
Focus areas: Strategy, Fundraising, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Reporting, P&L Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Budgeting, Equity Valuation, Valuation Modeling, Deal Advisory, Angel/Seed Funding, Venture Capital, Software as a Service (SaaS), EMEA, Fundraising Strategy
2017 - 2017
Freelance Consultant (Cryptocurrency Tax and Regulation Research)
EvoBits Information Technology SRL (via Toptal)
- Conducted extensive pan-European research on tax, KYC, and AML regulation.
- Explored options for using the different possibilities of cryptocurrency trading.
- Focused on cryptocurrency regulations in EU countries and Switzerland, as existing stipulations and planned the development accordingly.
- Prepared a high-level strategy for an initial coin offering (ICO).
Focus areas: Market Research, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, ICO, Financial Regulations, Taxation, Data Analytics
2017 - 2017
Freelance Health/Tech Startup Expert and Advisor
Apps for Gaps GmbH/Dandelin (via Toptal)
- Built a detailed financial model for a fundraising effort.
- Ran market research and estimated the total addressable market and serviceable addressable market.
- Created pitch decks for a conference presentation and for fundraising.
- Performed a variance-and-sensitivity analysis based on different operational assumptions.
- Created a company valuation on the VC valuation method, comps, precedent transactions, and cap table.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, Market Research, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Seed Fundraising, Investor Presentations, Pitch Decks, Capital Raising, Forecasting, Budget Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, Budgeting, Cash Flow Modeling, Revenue Modeling, Market Research & Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Health & Wellness, Healthcare IT, Consumer Health, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting
2016 - 2017
Strategy Manager
Evozon Systems
- Created the market entry strategy, business case, and business development plan for the US and UK spin-off and executed the strategy.
- Conducted the operational and financial modeling for the group portfolio of startup initiatives such as car sharing, NGO financing, a CRM for small businesses, and B2B security services.
- Led the development of an advertising technology service in a joint effort with a US-based partner. Served as a project manager.
- Served as an industry expert and product manager for products focused on the banking and insurance industries.
Focus areas: SaaS, Project Management, Market Research, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Revenue Optimization, P&L Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Budgeting, Finance Strategy, Business Planning, Market Opportunity Analysis, Market Sizing, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Venture Capital, Software as a Service (SaaS), EMEA, Go-to-market Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Data Analytics
2014 - 2016
Investment Manager
ROCA Investments (previously CITR)
- Structured and ran a €15 million debt and equity investment in the leading Romanian producer of underwear and swimwear.
- Supported portfolio companies in the development of overall strategy, expansion, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Performed investment due diligence, valuation, industry analysis, and market-sizing for multiple NPL portfolios—including a €2.7 billion portfolio within a consortium with Blackstone, HIG Capital, and AnaCap.
- Participated in the final phase of the financial restructuring process, structured a debt/equity swap, and implemented a capital structure modification for a large producer of building materials.
- Monitored and managed the restructuring process of €85 million nominal debt portfolio of companies in insolvency/distress.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Market Research, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Investor Presentations, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Deal Execution, Investment Memoranda, Deal Sourcing, Portfolio Analysis, Debt Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Transaction Modeling, Valuation Modeling, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, Market Research & Analysis, Fashion, Venture Capital, EMEA, Business Plan Consulting, Data Analytics, Investor Relations
2014 - 2014
Consultant
A.T. Kearney
- Worked on a pre-deal due diligence analysis and integration plan for the largest Romanian banking M&A transaction post-crisis.
- Redesigned credit card products and developed a sales strategy for a large commercial bank in Romania.
- Analyzed sourcing activity and profitability as well as designed supplier negotiation strategy for electronics retail chains from Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Focus areas: Market Entry, Market Research, Financial Modeling, Revenue Optimization, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Customer Segmentation, Partnerships, Procurement, Data Analysis, Due Diligence, Price Analysis, EMEA, Management Consulting
2013 - 2013
Adviser
Cryptomaterials
- Worked with a startup team that incorporated in June 2013—developing a software and hardware platform for the security solutions for the Bitcoin ecosystem.
- Performed market research, financial modeling, cash flow, and financing need forecasting.
- Developed an initial business model and partnership strategy and prepared a demo day presentation.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Finance Strategy, Revenue Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Partnerships, Business Planning
2011 - 2013
Associate
The Bear Fund
- Evaluated 50+ investment opportunities across various industries, including healthcare, medical, gym and specialized equipment, electronics and LED, and industrial services.
- Performed LBO modeling, financial analysis, valuation, and industry diligence to determine the value drivers, operating improvement opportunities and risks.
- Participated in the negotiations and deal executions for investments in the water filtration and semiconductor industries.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Market Research, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Transaction Modeling, Due Diligence, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Valuation Multiples, Valuation Modeling, Venture Capital, Data Analytics
2012 - 2012
Summer Consultant
Boston Consulting Group Budapest
- Worked on a high-level turnaround strategy for Hungarian subsidiary of a European banking group—conducted interviews, surveys and market research, designed value proposition proposals and positioning for the retail and corporate divisions.
- Performed market research and analyzed value creation options across the entire energy generation and delivery value chain for a global energy company considering expanding its footprint in CEE.
Focus areas: Market Research, Investments, Customer Segmentation, Value Proposition, EMEA, Management Consulting
2009 - 2011
Bancassurance Manager
Aegon
- Recruited and managed a team of eight regional managers and 12 direct sales officers.
- Launched the banking sales through a top-three Romanian bank—reaching a target revenue within the first four months and increasing average monthly sales by 200% in 2010 (compared to 2009).
- Built and managed relationships with the commercial banks’ top and regional management teams.
- Designed and successfully conducted a pilot project that explored a direct sales channel approach.
Focus areas: Sales, Product Development, Insurance, Partnership Management, Relationship Management, EMEA
2007 - 2009
Executive Manager
Imocredit
- Led the credit analysis, collection, and sales teams for the mortgage arm of a Romanian-Austrian holding; specializing in financing and real-estate development.
- Prepared the budget and strategy proposals and executed them upon approval from the Board of Administration.
- Led the expansion of a branch network to six cities and increased the loan portfolio by 280% in two years.
- Created and updated operational and risk procedures in line with the National Bank’s regulations.
Focus areas: Strategy, Credit Underwriting, Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities (CMBS), Bank Debt Raises, Mortgage REITs, Credit Risk, Management, Reporting, Finance Strategy, Budgeting, EMEA
2001 - 2007
Senior Relationship Manager
Volksbank A.G.
- Performed a complete credit underwriting on a portfolio of 100+ SME and corporate customers—covering the entire process from client acquisition and negotiation through financial modeling, analysis, and monitoring.
- Designed and executed a complex MBO financing solution for the largest producer of batteries in CEE.
- Created customized financing structures for specialized types of credit facilities backed by European funding; the structures were later used extensively within the bank.
Focus areas: Three-statement Modeling, Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities (CMBS), Mortgage REITs, Credit Underwriting, Banking & Finance, Corporate, Corporate Finance, Credit Risk, Negotiation, Relationship Management, Cash Flow Calculation, Cash Flow Forecasting, Underwriting, Credit Analysis, EMEA
Education
2011 - 2013
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Strategy
Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley - Berkeley, CA, USA
2000 - 2001
Master's Degree in Financial Strategy
Babes-Bolyai University - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
1995 - 1999
Bachelor's Degree in International Business
Babes-Bolyai University - Cluj-Napoca, Romania