Deloitte unit touts cheap accounting for start-ups

The Waltham center, which houses Deloitte’s early-stage innovation and life sciences practice, provides deeply discounted audit and tax services to venture-backed start-ups that if not couldn’t afford the services of a Big 4 accounting firm. The goal is to ultimately convert them to regular Deloitte clients when — or if — they grow and hopefully become public companies.

To foster those relationships, Zamierowski spends about a third of his time working with pre-VC-backed companies. His work includes coaching entrants in the Cleantech Open Business Competition and the business plan contests at Harvard Business School and Tufts. In the meantime, Steve Ingram, a partner and the center’s venture capital practice leader, spends a lot of time at Bentley, his alma mater, and other universities.

The center as well opens its space for the entrepreneurial community to hold business meetings — especially virtual companies and those with substandard office space — and events.