Solo founder? How to make the case to investors
Many investors prefer co-founders, but we’ve backed successful solo founders. Here's how to overcome the bias and raise smart…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Is your market really broken?
Investors need to assess whether there really is market demand for your product. Here are some of the things we're considering...

Read more on LinkedIn →

When *not* to fundraise in Europe
Timing your raise matters, especially in slow summer periods. A quick note on seasonality, investor responsiveness, and founder expectations…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Should I raise from angels or VCs?
It’s not just about the cheque size. It’s about alignment, pace, expectations, and follow-on dynamics…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Why a data room does matter
At pre-seed there is not a lot of data for investors to go on so an organised data room helps. Here are some things to include...

Read more on LinkedIn →

How to nail your shareholder updates
We receive a lot of monthly shareholder updates and there is a lot of variability between them...

Read more on LinkedIn →

Avoiding founder breakups
These happen regularly and it is worth doing work early to ensure its not terminal for your buisness…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Should I announce my fundraise?
Increasingly many fundraise announcements are happening well after the event or not at all. Here are some reasons...

Read more on LinkedIn →

How investors can support a failing company
Even the best-backed companies can stumble. Investors should think about how they can best support founders in the best way...

Read more on LinkedIn →

Why new angels can crash and burn
Investing too emotionally, over-concentrating, or failing to add value. These are just some of the traps novice angels fall into…

Read more on LinkedIn →

When Angel investors go native on a deal
Sometimes it is easy for angel investors to become too involved (emotionally and financially) on a deal. Here are some things to look out for...

Read more on LinkedIn →

Backing only second-time founders. Why limit yourself?
Great first-time founders can outperform. Here’s why I think the ‘second-time founder’ filter is often overused…

Read more on LinkedIn →

In early‑stage VC today, are we living in two timelines at once?
AI-native startups are rocketing to $1M ARR in months. Meanwhile, deep tech plays out over years. Investors need to straddle both worlds…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Is the age of seed-strapping here?
Founders are increasingly building further before raising, whether through necessity or by design. Here's what that means for investors…

Read more on LinkedIn →

How do I value my company?
This is a common question when raising for the first time and here are some guidelines to help you…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Messy cap tables kill companies
I’ve seen cap tables so chaotic they repelled follow-on investors. A note on keeping it clean and coachable…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Think SEIS and EIS are straightforward? Here are 5 risks most people miss
Even seasoned founders and investors get caught out. Here's a quick primer on what to double-check when using these schemes…

Read more on LinkedIn →

Super pro-rata rights, but super for whom?
These rights can protect insider investors, but can also chill external funding rounds. Here’s how I weigh their use…

Read more on LinkedIn →

So you want to work in VC?
I’m often asked for advice on getting into venture. Here’s what I look for in new investors, and what most candidates overlook…

Read more on LinkedIn →