I have helped numerous businesses over the years raise funding from debt sources, equity investment and grants. The following are a number of recent cases across the spectrum.
Owner had previously (5 years ago) had a business that had gone into liquidation. Had doubled his current business each year from £300k to£1300k and was projecting £2m. The bank said no. Said he’d have to wait for another year till 6 years had passed since the insolvency. They ignored how well he was doing and how he had learned from the previous experience.
I worked with the client and various funders – attending joint meetings/ preparing forecasts / revising forecasts/ answering questions and was able to source £200k debt finance from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
Individual – had part developed a mobile app for the legal sector but needed help in getting his pitch right, in terms of delivery, timing and content. Spent time with him practising this. The pitch went well though there were only significantly fewer angels at the event than expected which as disappointing for him.
But one of the investors he did talk to rang him at the weekend after the event, they met again on the Wednesday and then shook hands on a £75k investment that day. And they are still working together 4 years on.
Legal business that had developed software to make their own business work better decided that it was that good that they could market it licence it to other similar type practices.
They had been developing / trading this software for 3 years and were now making money after two years of losses, but their bank and some government backed debt funders said it was too risky. I arranged for them to meet a Digital/Tech early stage specialist at Barclays who loved it and funded it to the tune of £125k.
A business who had seen me at an event and which was speaking about funding, followed up with me a year later. I went to see them on an initial no fee basis, just to see if I could help. We discussed their needs which were partly funding but their real issues were more operational and financial. Whilst I raised them a small amount £30k by creating an accurate Business Plan and Forecasts. The real benefit I was able to offer was practical financial / commercial experience.
In 4 years their business has grown to the point where this year they will do 4 times the turnover and over 5 times the profit.