15 Min - Yes/No Call

About Me

I’m Bob Gordon, a startup advisor and builder who left a twenty-year C-level career to start from zero. Since then, I’ve built six ventures from the ground up and explored dozens more ideas.

Deeply embedded in the startup ecosystem, I’ve taught, mentored, and coached over 100 founders and teams — from solo ideators turning napkin sketches into paying customers to Series A startups preparing to fundraise.

I founded Cresco Actus Group to support the ambitions of early-stage founders and teams. Our diverse team contributes flexibly as needs arise.

I’m Bob Gordon, a startup advisor and builder who left a twenty-year C-level career to start from zero. Since then, I’ve built six ventures from the ground up and explored dozens more ideas.

Deeply embedded in the startup ecosystem, I’ve taught, mentored, and coached over 100 founders and teams — from solo ideators turning napkin sketches into paying customers to Series A startups preparing to fundraise.

I founded Cresco Actus Group to support the ambitions of early-stage founders and teams. Our diverse team contributes flexibly as needs arise.

The Founders Paradox

It’s never been easier to start a company—but harder than ever to build one that lasts. Nine out of ten founders fail. Not from lack of effort, but from foreseeable missteps: running out of money, chasing the wrong market, flawed business models, or building before validating monetizable interest. You can’t control every variable—but you’ve got to know how to control the ones you can, and focus on the right priorities.

The Founders Paradox

It’s never been easier to start a company—but harder than ever to build one that lasts. Nine out of ten founders fail. Not from lack of effort, but from foreseeable missteps: running out of money, chasing the wrong market, flawed business models, or building before validating monetizable interest. You can’t control every variable—but you’ve got to know how to control the ones you can, and focus on the right priorities.

We Eat Our Own Dog Food

As startup operators we continue to build. We’ve made mistakes, learned to think probabilistically and to situationally gameplan at any business stage to bend the odds. Our founder-to-founder mentor model helps you focus on what matters most—customers, growth, and readiness for the next step.

We Eat Our Own Dog Food

As startup operators we continue to build. We’ve made mistakes, learned to think probabilistically and to situationally gameplan at any business stage to bend the odds. Our founder-to-founder mentor model helps you focus on what matters most—customers, growth, and readiness for the next step.

Fuel for Every Founder

As career transitioners ourselves, we know what it takes to start fresh — and how to help first-time founders move fast. We connect you to the right people, resources, and opportunities to build momentum, stay lean, and fundraise from strength. Whether you’re shaping an idea, finding traction, or scaling up, we adapt to your stage, your goals, and your biggest opportunities — helping you grow smarter and go further on your own terms.

Fuel for Every Founder

As career transitioners ourselves, we know what it takes to start fresh — and how to help first-time founders move fast. We connect you to the right people, resources, and opportunities to build momentum, stay lean, and fundraise from strength. Whether you’re shaping an idea, finding traction, or scaling up, we adapt to your stage, your goals, and your biggest opportunities — helping you grow smarter and go further on your own terms.

Services

Book a Free Call

Book a Free Call

Idea and Market Validation

01

Idea and Market Validation

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Product Development Roadmap

02

Product Development Roadmap

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Customer Growth Blueprint

03

Customer Growth Blueprint

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Audience Focused Storytelling

04

Audience Focused Storytelling

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Organization Building Options

05

Organization Building Options

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Purpose Built Financial Plans

06

Purpose Built Financial Plans

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Who We've Worked With

Who We've Worked With

America's Seed Fund.
SBIR & STTR Investment Programs

America's Seed Fund.
SBIR & STTR Investment Programs

Invests Up to $2 million and takes No Equity

NSF Innovation Corps
Mid-Atlantic Hub Universities

Experiential programs at JHU, GWU, UMD, and Georgetown applying lean startup methods

Technology Economic Development Co.
Maryland Venture Funding

Variety of Equity Funding Levels for Maryland Based Businesses

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp.
Virginia Grant and Venture Funding

Emerging Technology Commercialization Equity Funding in the Commonwealth

Various Incubators and Accelerators
DC - Maryland - Virginia

Technology, Social Impact, Life Sciences and General Business Support Providers

DC, Maryland and Virginia Angel Groups

Washington/Baltimore Area Investor Clubs

DC NeXT
Area Wide Startup Resources

Integral part of MIT's Office of Innovation HQ

Korean Innovation Center
Supports US Tech Commercialization

Connects South Korean Startups with the US ecosystem

U.S. Small Business Administration
Loans and Matching Loan Programs

Debt Financing Opportunities