Fundraising

Pre-seed and seed, from working out whether you are ready to raise through to what investors ask in the room. Timelines, UK and US differences, SEIS and EIS, and who is writing early cheques now.

15 pieces

• Fundraising10 September 2026Are You Actually Ready to Raise? A Pre-Seed Readiness Check for UK FoundersMost founders start raising before they are ready and burn their best investor leads learning that. Here is how to check readiness before you send the first email.8 min read
• Fundraising1 March 2026Bootstrapping vs Raising: The 2026 Calculus (A Decision Framework for Founders)Venture capital is not the only path. Here is how to decide between bootstrapping and raising, what has changed in 2026, and a framework to help you choose.10 min read
• Fundraising1 March 2026Micro-Funds and Solo GPs: The New Early-Stage Investors (and How to Raise From Them)The investor landscape has changed. Here is how to find, pitch, and raise from micro-funds and solo GPs.10 min read
• Fundraising1 March 2026UK vs US Fundraising: What's Actually Different (and What It Means for Your Raise)The UK and US fundraising landscapes are different. Here is what actually matters: round sizes, valuations, speed, terms, expectations, and pitching style.11 min read
• Fundraising28 February 2026What Investors Actually Look for in AI Startups (2026)The AI hype has matured. Here is what investors actually look for in AI startups now: data moat, distribution, production reliability, unit economics, team, and honest positioning.12 min read
• Fundraising27 February 2026AI Agents for Founders: What to Automate First (and What Not To)Most founders automate the wrong thing. Here is the filter that tells you what to automate first, what to avoid, and how to get ROI in a week.9 min read
• Fundraising27 February 2026How to Pitch an AI Startup to Investors (When Everyone Claims to Be AI-Powered)Every pitch is an AI pitch now. Here is how to stand out when investors are skeptical and "we use AI" is no longer a differentiator.12 min read
• Fundraising24 February 2026AI Agents for Fundraising: Automate the Grunt Work, Not the RelationshipsAI agents can help with fundraising, but not the way most founders think. Here is where they add value, where they create risk, and how to use them without destroying trust.9 min read
• Fundraising23 February 2026The Complete Guide to Raising Pre-Seed and Seed FundingEverything you need to know about raising your first round: what investors look for, how the process works, what terms to expect, and how to avoid the mistakes that kill deals.12 min read
• Fundraising22 February 2026Fundraising Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Raise Pre-Seed or Seed?A typical pre-seed raise takes 2-4 months. Seed takes 3-6 months. Here is what happens at each stage and how to move faster.9 min read
• Fundraising21 February 2026Pre-Seed vs Seed Funding: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Raise?The line between pre-seed and seed has blurred. Here is how to know which stage you are at and which investors to approach.10 min read
• Fundraising21 February 2026What Investors Look For in Pre-Seed and Seed StartupsInvestors are not evaluating your deck. They are evaluating what your deck reveals about you, the market, and the opportunity. Here is what actually matters.10 min read
• Fundraising10 February 2026Modern Startup Funding (Pre-Seed and Seed)A practical guide to SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced rounds for pre-seed and seed founders. Covers valuation caps, dilution, and common mistakes to avoid.10 min read
• Fundraising26 January 2026SEIS/EIS is leverage, not paperwork.A practical guide to using SEIS and EIS as leverage in your raise, covering eligibility, timing, round structure, and the mistakes that cost founders months.4 min read
• Fundraising24 January 2026Pre-seed buys clarity. Seed buys speedHow to know which round you're actually ready for.3 min read