Introduction
Raising your first £100,000 is a crucial milestone for any entrepreneur. It’s the capital that turns an idea into a tangible, investable business. This 5-step guide outlines the practical steps I’ve used to help entrepreneurs raise hundreds and thousands of pounds of startup capital.
Everything you need to understand the funding process — explained step by step below.
Step 1: Start with a Problem Worth Solving
Investors fund solutions, not ideas. Define a specific, painful, and urgent problem your product or service solves. Use research, customer testimonials, and industry data to validate demand.
Step 2: Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
An MVP proves traction. It can be as simple as a landing page, a prototype, or a service offering with early customers. This demonstrates commitment and shows you're not just pitching — you’re building.
Step 3: Craft a Winning Pitch Deck
An MVP proves traction. It can be as simple as a landing page, a prototype, or a service offering with early customers. This demonstrates commitment and shows you're not just pitching — you’re building.
Step 4: Identify the Right Investors
Don’t waste time pitching to the wrong people. Focus on angel investors, early-stage VCs, and accelerator programs that specialise in your industry or stage. Build a shortlist of 30-50 potential funders.
Step 5: Master the Pitch and Follow-Up
Practice your pitch until you can deliver it clearly in under 10 minutes. Record it, refine it, and tailor it to each investor. Follow up professionally and persistently. Most founders quit after 5 rejections — the smart ones keep going.