There are four key documents that founders looking to secure investment for their startups should have in place.
George Wright, investment manager at LCR Finance Hub, will serve as an expert in our masterclasses at FUEL Liverpool next Friday.
Register to attend breakfast panel & networking (9-10.15am)
Email the editor to enquire about masterclass participation (10.30am-1.30pm)
Wright says the most important factor in becoming investment-ready is to prepare these four documents – and ensure they all connect as part of a joined-up approach.
“In my opinion, before approaching investors – whether a venture capital firm or angels – you need to have four key documents prepared: a one pager, a pitch deck, a business plan and financial forecasts,” he tells BusinessCloud.
“It is also key to ensure that the words and figures agree with each other.”
He adds: “A founder might judge that it is the right time to raise when they have all of the above in place and by identifying what the funds raised from any investment will be utilised for – and how long they will last for.”
LCR Finance Hub is a single access help point for SMEs trying to access external funding.
The free gateway, powered by the Liverpool City Region – Growth Platform and MSIF, aims to make the whole process less confusing and help SMEs to become investment-ready.
“It’s very easy to just be looking for an investor who will put the cash in; however, a founder should also be looking for it to be someone they are comfortable working with, who shares their ambitions for the business and who can also open doors for them,” says Wright.
“It’s not always possible to find this fit – and it may require compromise on more than one of their preferences.”
The other experts offering advice on the funding masterclass will be Praetura Ventures partner Colin Greene and John Willis, programme lead – Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The other masterclasses are focused on sales & marketing; people & performance; and export. You can see the expert line-up here and the breakfast panel speakers here.
Register to attend breakfast panel & networking (9-10.15am)
Email the editor to enquire about masterclass participation (10.30am-1.30pm)
Wright says budding entrepreneurs must remain resilient.
“It’s unlikely that your first request for investment will be successful, but if you can bounce back from the knocks you will almost undoubtedly get, you will be stronger for it and must learn along the journey,” he says.
Supported by Growth Platform and Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University, the event is part of the official LCR Innovation Investment Fortnight (IIF) programme, held from 12th-23rd May. The IIF is an annual showcase of the distinctive approaches, world-leading assets and £2bn investment opportunities that put the Liverpool City Region at the UK forefront of place-based innovation. #LCRinnovation.
