20+ years building technology companies, relationships, and deals. I help founders maximize exit value, investors make smarter bets, and companies forge partnerships that accelerate growth.
I don't just advise on transactions. I architect them. From valuation and exit prep to M&A execution and strategic partnerships, I combine deep technical expertise with a world-class network to get deals done.
I'm a Silicon Valley-connected deal architect who's spent two decades on both sides of tech transactions: building companies, evaluating them, and connecting them. I combine technical depth with high-level relationship access to create outcomes that advisors alone can't deliver.
Exit & Valuation Expert.
I help founders prepare for and execute successful exits. From building defensible valuations to positioning your company for maximum value, I bring technical rigor that holds up in due diligence and negotiations.
Strategic Deal Architect.
I build bridges between companies that create lasting value. Whether it's an M&A transaction, strategic partnership, distribution deal, or joint venture, I leverage my network to identify opportunities, initiate conversations, and drive deals to close.
Investment Advisor.
As a Venture Partner at Network VC with connections across Stanford HAI, OpenAI, and top Silicon Valley firms, I help investors evaluate deals with technical precision and help startups attract the right capital at the right valuation.
M&A Specialist.
End-to-end M&A support. From identifying potential acquirers and making warm introductions, to structuring deals and navigating due diligence. I've seen how acquirers think, what makes them walk away, and what makes them pay premium.
Fractional Chief Business Officer.
For companies in critical phases: exit prep, fundraising, or rapid growth. I embed as a strategic partner bringing investor-grade rigor, deal-making capability, and a world-class network to your leadership team.
Two decades of proven results connecting innovators with global opportunities and delivering measurable business transformation.
Years Building Tech, Deals & Relationships
21
VC, Corporate & Acquirer Connections
1,583
Client Success Rate
95,7%
Clients Served
352
Services
What I Bring to the Table
Exit Preparation & Execution
I help founders get exit-ready and execute successful transactions. This means building the metrics, documentation, and narrative that maximize valuation, plus identifying the right acquirers and warming up relationships before you go to market. Whether you're 6 months or 2 years from exit, I'll position you for the best possible outcome.
Startup & Business Valuation
Realistic, defensible valuations grounded in technical assessment. Not just comps and multiples. I evaluate technology quality, architecture, technical debt, team capability, and IP value. The result: numbers that hold up in negotiations and due diligence.
M&A Advisory
Full-cycle M&A support for both buyers and sellers. I identify targets or acquirers, make introductions to decision-makers, help structure deals, and guide you through due diligence. My technical depth means I catch red flags that pure finance advisors miss.
Strategic Partnerships
I architect partnerships that create real business value: distribution deals, technology integrations, joint ventures, and corporate development relationships. From identifying the right partners to negotiating terms to closing, I leverage my network to make strategic deals happen.
Investment Advisory
For investors: technical due diligence that goes beyond pitch decks to assess real technology value and team capability. For founders: realistic valuation guidance and warm introductions to investors who are the right fit for your stage and sector.
Fractional CBO
Hands-on strategic leadership for critical company phases. I bring deal-making capability, investor-grade thinking, and an active network to your team, without the full-time commitment. Ideal for exit prep, major fundraises, or partnership-driven growth strategies.
Smart Not Hard
Why Work With Me
While others offer advice, I offer access and execution. Most exit advisors can model your deal. Most partnership consultants can write strategy decks. Few can pick up the phone, reach the right decision-maker, and drive a transaction to close. I bring both the expertise and the network to architect deals that actually happen.
Technical Depth That Protects You.
20+ years building technology: systems, teams, and companies. I read code, not just spreadsheets. I know what good architecture looks like, what technical debt really costs, and what separates real innovation from dressed-up demos. This depth catches red flags that pure finance advisors miss and gives you leverage in due diligence and negotiations.
Network + Execution.
1,500+ connections across Silicon Valley VCs, corporate acquirers, and strategic partners. Direct relationships at Stanford HAI, OpenAI, Plug and Play, and top investment firms. But relationships alone don't close deals. I've facilitated exits, structured partnerships, and introduced founders to their eventual acquirers. I don't just open doors; I walk through them with you.
360° Deal Perspective.
Founder. Operator. Investor. I've sat on every side of the table: building companies, evaluating them, and funding them. That means I know what buyers want, what investors need to see, and what founders often miss. Add 300+ speaking engagements and features in Forbes, Bloomberg, and Yahoo Finance: credibility that gets calls returned.
Featured in Media
"Vision without execution is just a dream. Execution without relationships is just hard work. Combine all three: that's where real value is created."
Volodymyr Zhukov, Zhukov.Consulting
Clients
Who I Work With
Founders preparing for exit. You've built something valuable. I'll help you get exit-ready, identify the right acquirers, build relationships, and maximize your outcome when it's time to transact.
Companies seeking strategic partnerships. You need distribution, technology, or market access to accelerate growth. I'll identify the right partners, make introductions, and help close deals that move the needle.
Investors seeking technical truth. You're evaluating deals but need someone who can assess the technology, not just the pitch. I provide due diligence that protects your capital from hype-driven mistakes.
Companies pursuing acquisitions. You're looking to grow through M&A. I'll help you identify targets, evaluate their real technical and business value, and structure smart deals.
Startups raising capital. You need a realistic valuation and introductions to the right investors. I provide both, plus positioning that gets you noticed by the funds that matter.
Companies in critical growth phases. You need strategic leadership for a major transition: fundraise, exit prep, or partnership push. I embed as a Fractional CBO to drive outcomes.
Two decades of intentional relationship-building have created a network that spans the full deal ecosystem. I don't connect you to LinkedIn profiles, I connect you to people who respond.
Investors & VCs
Venture Partner at Network VC. Direct relationships with partners at Plug and Play, Stanford-affiliated funds, and 1,500+ Silicon Valley and US investors actively deploying capital.
Corporate Development & Acquirers
Connections to M&A and corporate development teams at major technology companies. When you're ready to exit, I identify the right buyers and make warm introductions to people who take my calls.
Strategic Partners
Relationships across AI leaders (OpenAI, Cohere, NVIDIA), enterprise tech, and high-growth companies seeking partnerships. I match complementary businesses for distribution, technology, and market access deals.
Research & Innovation Ecosystem
Ties to Stanford HAI, research institutions, and cutting-edge AI companies. Access to emerging technology trends and the people building them.
My ecosystem connections include the world's most respected AI companies, accelerators, and research institutions. This network foundation ensures clients receive strategies informed by industry leaders and validated by proven market successes.
...and 300+ more cases
The Deal Architect Newsletter
Strategic insights for founders, investors, and operators navigating exits, investments, and partnerships. Weekly intelligence on valuation trends, deal structures, and the relationships that drive transactions: no fluff, no spam.
Weekly analysis on exits, M&A, partnerships, and investment strategy. Network intelligence from Silicon Valley and global tech ecosystems for founders and investors navigating deals.
No Spam
No fluff, no sales pitches. Just actionable thinking for deal-makers building sustainable competitive advantages in fast-moving markets.
Testimonials
I have worked with hundreds of amazing people
“You are in luck if you get to work or partner with Volodymyr and here’s why. He’s humble, yet brilliant. He is generous in terms of knowledge and network sharing. I believe that Volodymyr possesses a rare combination of rational and emotional intelligence.”
Sasha García Gavrylyuk
CEO, TheCEO
“Volodymyr helped me uncover a value-based pricing model that transformed how I talk about my product and close deals. His strategic precision and sharp thinking delivered game-changing results in just 6 weeks.”
Kirill Suhodolov
CEO, Contrevis
“Volodymyr is a rare combination of strategic mind and technological intuition. His expertise in startup packaging, IT system architecture, and investor outreach was crucial for our scaling success. A true partner for those who think in terms of growth.”
Tetiana Diachenko
CEO, CBC
“Vladimir is demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision. He's a goal-oriented professional who combines deep IT expertise with proven management experience, regularly sharing insights at industry conferences. His high moral principles and accountability make him someone you can truly trust to deliver results.”
Ihor (Harry) Chyshkala
CTO, IC Studio
“Vladimir has an analytical mindset and exceptional ability to build project structures from scratch. During his time with us, he brought in new strategic partners and launched promising initiatives. His organizational skills, quick problem-solving abilities, and responsibility make him a trusted professional who delivers results when it matters most.”
Zoya Stakhova
CEO, Inksystem
“Volodymyr combines deep expertise in AI development, marketing, and management with exceptional business acumen. I confidently recommend him for business development, performance improvement, and investment attraction. Our long working history proves he consistently delivers great results across diverse projects.”
Alex Hubkin
CEO, Flow
“I've known Volodymyr since our early IT days in Kharkiv, and when we reconnected 5 years later as entrepreneurs, we immediately recognized we were aligned. That coffee conversation led to 3 years of collaboration across 5 simultaneous projects and successful teamwork in business speaks louder than any words.”