When a founder hits the hard part, I’m the first call.

Founder’s First CallAdvising and coaching founders

Warden, Founding PartnerBuilding something new. More soon.

New YorkBy way of Weston, Connecticut

I’m Jesse Link. I was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, then founded companies of my own and made all the mistakes. Now I sit beside founders through the raise, the strategy and everything in between.

Selected chapters

The work so far, most recent first.

Morning sun across a desk by a tall window, Midtown Manhattan in the haze beyond.

Founder’s First Call

My advisory and executive coaching practice, now.

As my title implies, I’m the first call. I roll up my sleeves on fundraising, strategy, legal and partnerships, and I advise on everything from co-founder issues to managing yourself. I’ve worked with dozens of founders, with tens of millions raised across them. I have been there before.

Most recentlyAbout 15 hours a week alongside a founder and their exec team. I built every asset and made the introductions behind a seven-figure seed round, and I’m still with them on go-to-market as they search for fit.

Rella

Co-founder and co-CEO, 2020 to 2023

My twin sister Arielle writes best-selling wedding planning books. Before we built anything, we talked to hundreds of couples. Most of them were planning their weddings in spreadsheets.

So we built Rella: one place for the guest list, vendors, budget, invoices and everyone with an opinion, paired with the expertise of a real wedding planner.

We raised an angel round, built the team to 8, worked with hundreds of users and navigated multiple pivots. Every Friday, everyone shared two things they did that week that pushed them outside their comfort zone.

Along the way I co-created Altar or Falter, the first card game made specifically to help newly engaged couples kick off wedding planning.

A white worktable mid wedding planning: fabric swatches, blank invitation samples, ribbon spools and a laptop open to a spreadsheet.

“Plan your wedding for two-thirds the cost of your wedding cake.”The pricing line we used.

The Thames on a rainy morning, St Paul’s dome and the City in mist beyond a wet stone balustrade.

Goldman Sachs

Vice President, Private Investments. New York and London, 2013 to 2020.

I personally raised more than $5B, for companies like Uber, SpaceX and Spotify, and for funds like Blackstone, TPG, Brookfield and Ares.

In the Consumer and Investment Management Division I sourced, structured, negotiated and raised capital for private investments, working directly with the firm’s high net worth clients.

I specialized in clean energy, solar and hydro included, and I was leading a team of 10 when I left to start Rella.

What I took with me

Surround yourself with diverse-minded people.
Every relationship, big or small, deserves your time.
You have to have passion for what you do.

Brandeis

B.A. 2013, M.A. 2014, four varsity seasons

An empty college ballfield at golden hour, seen from the bullpen mound, a scuffed baseball in the dirt.

A double major in Economics and Business with a minor in History, then an M.A. in International Economics and Finance at Brandeis International Business School. Walter and Edith Mossberg Scholar, and treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

43appearances as a left-handed pitcher, every one out of the bullpen.

My first college win was three innings of one-hit relief against Drew on March 7, 2011. My favorite was beating Bowdoin in extra innings, at Bowdoin.

Turns out relief pitching is decent training for being someone’s first call.

Where I’m useful

Fundraising, strategy and business development, strategic partnerships, financial modeling, business planning, consumer behavior and creative strategy. And the things that never fit on a list, like co-founder issues and managing yourself.

“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.”

Anthony Bourdain, and a line I love

Building a company is the same kind of adventure. Seek out the new, and learn to run toward the unknown.

Building something? I’d like to hear about it. LinkedIn is the best way to reach me.

Message me on LinkedIn