About

About Tessa

I’m Tessa de Flines—Fractional COO, strategic partner, and someone who genuinely loves the parts of business that many founders don’t: structure, process, and bringing big visions to life through clear execution.

After nearly two decades in senior roles at multinationals like GE and ABN AMRO, I took a leap into entrepreneurship. I wanted to work closer to the heart of the action, to support founders not just in building businesses, but in building them well.

Today, I support fast-growing, impact-driven startups and scaleups through hands-on operational leadership. I specialize in turning strategy into structure, helping teams grow without growing apart, and making sure execution doesn’t get lost in the noise of day-to-day operations. Whether I’m supporting a founder through a chaotic growth phase, leading a Structure Sprint, or acting as a Fractional COO, my work is rooted in clarity, momentum, and steady partnership.

I’m also a Founding Partner at Masters of Scale, a platform that connects scaling startups and accelerators with a powerful network of experienced entrepreneurs and operators.

Angel Investing

I actively invest in early-stage startups—particularly those led by women—through Great Stuff Ventures, The Angel Initiative, and my own portfolio. Alongside capital, I offer operational support, strategic input, and access to a broader ecosystem. My focus is on shifting who gets funded by changing who gets to fund—mobilizing more women as investors and backing bold, impact-driven founders often overlooked by traditional venture. Because this isn’t just about returns. It’s about access, equity, and rewriting the rules of who gets to build.

Speaking & Training

Looking for a speaker or trainer who combines deep operational experience with real startup insight and with a focus on gender equality? I bring a practical, no-fluff approach to every session, drawing on my work as a Fractional COO, angel investor, and founder. Whether it’s a keynote, training, workshop, podcast, panel or jury, I deliver sharp perspectives, practical tools and energy that moves people to action.