Founders First Advisory facilitates access to institutional-grade strategies for scaling EV infrastructure
In the competitive landscape of clean technology development, access to capital remains a critical challenge for emerging companies. Founders First Advisory is bridging this gap by enabling high-net-worth individuals and founders to participate in clean energy projects through transferable tax credits, providing a new funding channel exemplified by its work with WattUp USA.
The EV charging network developer recently raised $130 million to accelerate its deployment of ultra-fast charging stations across the United States. This capital raise was supported by structuring that leverages the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions allowing the transfer and monetization of clean energy tax credits.
Corbin Cowan, who established Founders First Advisory in 2025 after decades in business development and rainmaking services for founders and CEOs, has focused on helping rising developers of solar, battery, and EV charging technology. He has worked personally with several such companies to help high-net-worth individuals redirect significant tax liabilities into strategic investments.
This approach helps companies like WattUp scale more quickly by tapping into private capital that might otherwise flow only to traditional investors or large corporates. The credits, now a tradable asset, benefit energy-aligned corporations, accredited investors, and new developers alike—mobilizing funding for solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, EVs, battery storage, domestic manufacturing, carbon capture, and energy efficiency.
Cowan’s firm differentiates itself with a “performance-first” engagement model that aligns fees with client success and acts as a virtual family office, coordinating advanced tax strategy, operational and capital structure optimization, and access to vetted infrastructure investment opportunities, including private lending options that broaden approval rates.
“From Advisory to Execution,” the firm blends these elements to deliver strategies typically reserved for institutional players. For tech startups in the clean energy space, such partnerships can significantly shorten the path to deployment and growth.
With demand increasing following announcements around WattUp USA’s expansion and financing activity, participation is limited and subject to qualification and timely action within the current tax cycle. This trend signals a broader evolution where clean energy incentives—quietly becoming one of the largest capital reallocation mechanisms in the U.S. economy—are extending benefits to individual founders and investors.
While the current tax strategy with WattUp is time sensitive, Founders First is focused on many investment opportunities in addition to the current tax credits. In all, the advisory blends the best strategy for each client with available deal structure as well as a private lending network, which is highly unique. Cowan notes, “Our ability to make outcomes such as a $652K acquisition, for example, achievable for the vast majority of successful business owners with little or no long-term cash out of pocket is a huge advantage for the clients we serve.”
