Seven steps that take you from deciding to raise through to money in the bank, with the documents and decisions you need at each stage.
Allow three to six months end to end, and start before you need the cash.
Talk to us about your raiseWork out what you need to reach your next milestone, plus a buffer of six months. Be specific about how every pound will be spent: hiring, product, marketing or working capital.
Set out the problem, your solution, the market size, your competition and your route to customers. Keep it focused and evidence based.
Produce three to five year forecasts covering profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheet. Show your assumptions clearly and make sure your historical accounts are up to date.
Ten to fifteen slides that tell a clear story: problem, solution, market, traction, business model, team, financials and the ask. Practise delivering it in ten minutes.
Research investors who back your sector, stage and cheque size. Warm introductions through your network convert far better than cold emails.
Agree valuation, investment amount and key protections. Take legal advice before signing, as terms set now shape every future round.
Investors will verify your financials, contracts, IP and company records. A well organised data room keeps this fast, then legal documents are signed and funds transferred.
Gather these documents before you start talking to investors. It signals professionalism and keeps momentum when interest is high.
Understanding these terms helps you negotiate with confidence and spot clauses that could cost you later.
What your company is worth before new money goes in. Investment divided by post money valuation gives the investor's percentage.
The reduction in existing shareholders' percentage when new shares are issued. Model it across future rounds, not just this one.
Sets who gets paid first on a sale. A 1x non participating preference is common and founder friendly.
Protects investors if a later round is priced lower. Broad based weighted average is far kinder to founders than full ratchet.
Founder and employee shares earned over time, commonly four years with a one year cliff, to keep the team committed.
Decisions that need investor approval. Keep the list focused on major matters so you can still run the business day to day.
Most failed raises come down to timing, preparation or targeting rather than the quality of the idea.
Share a little about your business and funding goals, and we will be in touch to talk through your next steps.
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