Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Bellevue, WA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have startup equity that could vest or be sold, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the tax and timing complexities unique to these assets. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular investments, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed opportunities.

  • Tax-aware planning. Look for advisors who consider Washington's 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, alongside federal taxes, when advising on equity sales.
  • Equity liquidity strategies. Ask how they help you plan for potential liquidity events, balancing immediate cash needs with long-term growth.
  • Vesting schedule management. Confirm they integrate your equity vesting timelines into your broader financial plan to avoid surprises.
  • Startup-specific risk assessment. Ensure they evaluate the unique risks of startup equity, such as company performance and market conditions, in their recommendations.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Justin Y

Series 65

Bellevue, WA

Opal Advisors

Justin Young is a financial advisor at Opal Advisors in Bellevue, WA. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Opal Advisors since 2025. Prior to his advisory role, he spent ten years at Flow Fitness. He is also the founder of Kahu LLC, a technology company based in Seattle, where he develops the business plan. Opal Advisors is an SEC-registered, fee-based investment adviser managing approximately $121.5 million for about 221 clients. The firm serves individuals, small businesses, and retirement plans, offering discretionary portfolio management, integrated financial planning, and pension consulting.

Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Active portfolio management Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner
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Adam D

Series 63, Series 65

Bellevue, WA

Waterrock Global Asset Management

Adam Droker is a financial advisor at Waterrock Global Asset Management in Bellevue, WA, with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Waterrock Global Asset Management since 2011. Outside of advisory work, he is active as president of the Bellevue Kiwanis Club and is involved in local youth sports as a softball and little league umpire and as a fundraising director. Waterrock Global Asset Management provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a range of investment strategies including passive, tactical, and actively traded models, utilizing fundamental, technical, quantitative, and qualitative analysis, with discretionary authority commonly granted by clients.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Passive / index investing
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Trevor F

Series 66

Bellevue, WA

Transamerica Financial Advisors

Trevor Foster is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors in Bellevue, WA, holding the Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Edward Jones, Farmers Insurance/Tru Family Agency LLC, and WFG. Foster is also the owner of Foster Family Freedom LLC, an entity used for pass-through income related to his financial services business. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios and provides both discretionary and non-discretionary investment program options.

ESG / Sustainable investing Concentrated stock management Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Jay P

Series 63, Series 65

Bellevue, WA

Realta Investment Advisors, Inc

Jay Porter is a financial advisor with Realta Investment Advisors, Inc. in Bellevue, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Realta Investment Advisors and its affiliated firm, Realta Equities, Inc., since 2015. Prior to that, he operated Porter Advisory Group, a stock broker DBA based in Sammamish, WA. Realta Investment Advisors provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and various institutional clients. The firm emphasizes individualized advice based on client goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, implementing diversified investment strategies across multiple asset classes and utilizing third-party manager programs and aggregation platforms.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner
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Esther L

Series 63, Series 65

Bellevue, WA

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC

Esther La Marche is a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at The H Group Washington, Inc. and Harvest Capital Advisors, Inc. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets through a large advisor network and uses a diversified, risk-class based investment approach that combines passive and active management overseen by an internal Investment Committee.

Active portfolio management Factor investing / smart beta Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Executive Founder/Business Owner Retired HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) Mid-Career Professionals Approaching retirement Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Business exit / sale strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Startup equity planning General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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