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.

36 pieces

• Fundraising24 October 2026AI Investors in Riyadh (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsInvestors backing early-stage AI startups in Riyadh in 2026, from Raed Ventures and SEEDRA to STV, Merak Capital and Tali Ventures, with their latest deals.7 min read
• Fundraising23 October 2026AI Investors in Abu Dhabi (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsWho backs early-stage AI startups in Abu Dhabi in 2026, with dated deals, stages, cheque sizes and how to apply, from pre-seed to Series A.7 min read
• Fundraising23 October 2026AI Startup Funding in Sharjah (2026): Grants, Programmes and Where to StartSharjah's early-stage AI money comes from equity-free grants, competition prizes and government financing packages. Here is what exists and what is open.9 min read
• Fundraising23 October 2026AI Investors in Cardiff (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds and angel networks putting money into early-stage AI startups in Cardiff in 2026, with the deals and cheque sizes behind each one.7 min read
• Fundraising23 October 2026AI Investors in Dubai (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds backing early-stage AI startups in Dubai in 2026, the cheques they write and the dated Dubai deals behind each one.7 min read
• Fundraising22 October 2026AI Investors in Nottingham and the East Midlands (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsInvestors backing early-stage AI startups in Nottingham and the East Midlands in 2026, with dated deals, stages, cheque sizes and the regional funds behind them.7 min read
• Fundraising22 October 2026AI Investors in Glasgow (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsInvestors backing early-stage AI startups in Glasgow in 2026, with the deals, stages and cheque sizes behind each one, plus the grants and accelerators nearby.5 min read
• Fundraising22 October 2026AI Investors in Birmingham (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds writing pre-seed and seed cheques in Birmingham in 2026, with the dated deals behind each one.6 min read
• Fundraising22 October 2026AI Investors in Oxford (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds putting money into Oxford AI startups in 2026, from pre-seed to Series A, with the deals and dates behind each one.7 min read
• Fundraising22 October 2026AI Investors in Cambridge (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds backing early-stage AI startups in Cambridge in 2026, from pre-seed to Series A, with cheque sizes, recent deals and where to start.8 min read
• Fundraising21 October 2026AI Investors in Belfast (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsWho backs early-stage AI startups in Belfast in 2026, with dated deals, cheque sizes and what each investor funds, from first cheques to seed rounds.6 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in Bristol (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsFunds backing early-stage AI startups in Bristol in 2026, the stages they invest at, their latest deals and the other funding available in the region.6 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in Edinburgh (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe investors backing early-stage AI startups in Edinburgh in 2026: the university's venture fund, an angel syndicate founded in 1992, PXN Ventures and Scotland's national investment bank.5 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in Leeds and Yorkshire (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe investors backing early-stage AI startups in Leeds and Yorkshire in 2026: university spinout funds, the regional NPIF II fund and a dedicated AI venture firm.5 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in Liverpool (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe funds backing early-stage AI startups in Liverpool in 2026, with stages, cheque sizes and dated deals for founders raising now.8 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in London (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe investors backing early-stage AI startups in London in 2026: what each one invests in, cheque sizes, latest funds and the AI startups they have backed.5 min read
• Fundraising20 October 2026AI Investors in Manchester (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe investors backing early-stage AI startups in Manchester in 2026: what each one invests in, cheque sizes and the AI startups they have backed.5 min read
• Fundraising19 October 2026AI Investors in the North East (2026): Who Is Backing Early-Stage StartupsThe investors backing early-stage AI startups in the North East in 2026: what each one invests in, typical cheque sizes and the AI startups they have backed.6 min read
• Ecosystem News13 October 2026What UK Early-Stage Investors Say They Want in 2026: We Read 41 Fund WebsitesWe read the websites of 41 UK pre-seed and seed investors and recorded what each one says it backs. Health is named more often than AI, only 29% state a cheque size, and only 20% say they lead.11 min read
• Fundraising29 September 2026How to Get Warm Investor Intros When You Have No NetworkEvery fundraising guide says get a warm intro. Few say where from if you know nobody. Here is how UK founders build intro paths from zero, who can actually introduce you, and how to ask.8 min read
• Fundraising27 September 2026How to Build a Pre-Seed Investor List That Actually ConvertsMost pre-seed investor lists are mostly firms that were never going to invest. Here is how UK founders build a researched list: five filters, researching the partner, tiering, and where SEIS and EIS fit.8 min read
• 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