Do the things spreadsheets can’t do | SeatGeek’s Teddy Collins

Nov 3, 2025

Join Teddy Collins, EVP of Finance at SeatGeek, who transformed their finance function into a tech-savvy powerhouse. He opens up about navigating the finance landscape when live events paused during the pandemic, reshaping forecasting methods in unpredictable times. Teddy discusses how AI and machine learning enhance planning, pushing past the limitations of spreadsheets. He offers insights on turning finance into a strategic partner, effective career growth strategies, and the evolving role of AI in junior finance positions.

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ANECDOTE

Leading Through The 2020 Live-Event Shutdown

Teddy lived through the sudden shutdown of live events in 2020 and used clean data and scalable processes to navigate the shock.
That preparedness let finance run rapid what-if scenarios and protect capitalization during the crisis.

insights

INSIGHT

Forecast As Scenarios, Not One Number

Forecasting must be a range of scenarios, not a single series, to handle sudden shocks.
Finance needs fast, cascaded models that show cash, timing, and balance-sheet impacts immediately.

insights

INSIGHT

Hybrid Multi-Model Forecasting

SeatGeek uses a hybrid multi-model approach combining finance rules and machine learning for forecasting.
ML fills gaps spreadsheets can't handle, like weather and macro signals, while finance keeps explainability.

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Leading Finance Through the Pandemic

06:30 • 1min

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Forecasting Under Extreme Uncertainty

07:52 • 4min

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Applying Machine Learning to Forecasting

Moving Beyond Spreadsheets

19:04 • 6min

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Forecast Accuracy Versus Usefulness

24:40 • 2min

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Building SeatGeek's Finance Foundation

26:16 • 4min

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Why Shift from Excel to Collaborative Tools

30:13 • 2min

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Turning Finance into a Profit Center

31:58 • 7min

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Orchestration: The Next CFO Stack Leap

39:02 • 2min

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Keeping Humans in the Loop with AI

41:10 • 2min

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Using AI to Give FP&A Time Back

43:37 • 2min

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Talent, Hiring, and the Impact of AI on Junior Roles

45:58 • 3min

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How to Accelerate Your Finance Career

49:02 • 2min

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Advocating for Yourself and Learning by Doing

51:30 • 5min

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When Early Adoption Backfires—and Recovers

56:40 • 1min

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SeatGeek's Modern Finance Tech Stack

58:00 • 4min

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Memorable Events Tracked on SeatGeek

In this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ Gustafson sits down with Teddy Collins, EVP of Finance at SeatGeek, who helped scale the company from its first in-house finance hire to a tech-forward finance team powering one of the most dynamic businesses in live events. Teddy shares what it was like leading finance through the pandemic when live events went dark overnight, how that period reshaped his approach to forecasting and uncertainty, and how SeatGeek is now using AI and machine learning to enhance planning accuracy and decision-making. He and CJ also dive into how finance can evolve from a cost center to a strategic partner, the toughest manual processes he’s eliminated, and where he sees the next big leap in the CFO tech stack. Finally, Teddy opens up about his rapid rise—four promotions in ten years—and offers practical advice on career growth, feedback, and building trust in a world where AI is redefining what “junior” really means.

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LINKS:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddycollins/

Company: https://seatgeek.com/

CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222

Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com

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RELATED EPISODES:

CFO of FloQast on Why Finance Teams are Data Curators

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Preview and Intro

(00:02:49) Sponsor – Metronome | Mercury | RightRev

(00:06:36) Joining SeatGeek and the Early Finance Journey

(00:08:05) Managing Finance When Live Events Went Dark

(00:10:23) Forecasting Through Uncertainty

(00:13:12) Building Systems and Processes from Scratch

(00:15:34) Sponsor – Tipalti | Aleph | Fidelity Private Shares

(00:18:06) Using AI and Machine Learning in Forecasting

(00:22:44) Build vs. Buy: SeatGeek’s Tech Philosophy

(00:26:31) Turning Finance into a Strategic Partner

(00:30:42) Killing Manual Processes and Automating Insights

(00:34:55) The Next Big Leap in the CFO Stack

(00:38:46) Leading Teams Through Change and Growth

(00:42:11) Talent, Tools, and the Future of Finance Roles

(00:46:07) Climbing the Ladder: Four Promotions in Ten Years

(00:49:50) Career Advice and Earning Trust in Fast-Growing Teams

(00:53:16) How AI Is Reshaping the Definition of “Junior”

(00:56:22) Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts

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SPONSORS:

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#RunTheNumbersPodcast #FinanceLeadership #CFOStack #AIForecasting #SeatGeek

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