Greg Lawton

Are you looking for investors? At foundercentre we have a FREE interactive directory of over 240 UK INVESTORS! https://lnkd.in/ekYQBPZF Filter through which investor best suits your startup needs, and simply start sending applications out. Create a startup profile, and showcase it now! We use specific, targeted questions during the signup stage to ensure that all profiles contain the relevant information in a standardised format for Investors. No more sending back-and-forth emails. Simply copy and paste your unique URL- and Investors can see everything they need about your startup. At foundercentre we are the only FREE startup site to contain centralised directories for everything a UK startup needs. From Investors to Co-Working spaces, founders can now find everything they need, with the click of a button. Grow your startup now for free... #foundercentre #investors #startups #founder #startupspace #ideas

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Numbers & insights from a deep tech venture studio that launched 11 companies (all are active) in the last 7 years, reaching £85M valuation across the portfolio: 1. Post Urban, initially bootstrapped by Luke Robinson, an academic with a PhD in physics from Cambridge, now operates with external funding from a UK-based fund. 2. Launched 5 companies during the first 5 years and 6 companies during the last 2 years. 3. All 11 completed pre-seed rounds; 1 of them got Series A, 2 of them are approaching their Series A. 4. The startups have collectively raised ~£25M in venture capital, in addition to receiving grants. The total valuation of the 11 companies is ~£85M, half of which have not yet undergone subsequent funding rounds. 5. Initial equity splits: the venture builder 20%, CEOs of startups 35% (vests over 4 years), CTOs – 20-25%, employees 10-15%. 6. The initial valuation of startups was £2 million, with £300K invested by the venture builder. The last 2 startups were at £3.5-4M initial valuation. 7. Building deep tech ventures requires significantly higher initial funding because these projects need more time to develop demonstrable products. Two portfolio companies hit £1M in ARR. 8. The venture builder has increased the capital for the last 2 startups to ensure they reach meaningful milestones. The CEOs of the startups were able to secure additional funding through their networks, £350K and £450K, respectively. 9. The deep tech investor pool is smaller than that for sectors like SaaS, which requires a stronger proof of concept and market readiness to attract funding. 10. 3-4 times, potential customers became investors in Post Urban Ventures. This is a great approach because it secures investment and validates the concept by gauging whether these potential customers truly believe in the solution and its market necessity. 11. They don't start with a technology or an idea; instead, they integrate insights about global problems and, by actively engaging with advisory boards, founders, and industry experts, identify pain points and align them with technological solutions. 12. They do not bring universities in as co-founders but source scientists or professors to contribute to research and development. This involves leveraging academic expertise to support the technical aspects of startup projects until a prototype is developed. 13. The studio maintains strong connections with major academic institutions, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, and UCL, supporting its deep tech focus and facilitating access to new technologies and potential founders. 14. Areas of focus in deep tech: AI (Knowledge Graphs, NLP, DNNs, Computer Vision, Edge AI, Active Learning), Quantum Technologies, Biotech, AgTech, Enterprise SaaS. Watch the full interview to gain insights into the portfolio companies, handling IP collaborations with universities, key challenges, and team construction: https://lnkd.in/dCi7fZ7G

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Did you know? According to Beauhurst,1,546 AI companies in the UK have hit one or more of its high-growth signals. The UK AI market is booming, and there’s an opportunity for investors to tap into this goldmine. If you’d like to get involved with these disruptive AI-first companies and lead the future of tech innovation, register your interest in our forthcoming AI fund: https://hubs.li/Q02vQBk10 #EHEVentures #Investors #Entrepreneurs #AIInvesting #TechFunding

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Want a sneak peek of UK funding data and trends we're seeing on shipshape.vc? Come along on Thursday, June 27th, to an event hosted in conjunction with Walmer Group, HSBC Innovation Banking, Newfound and Fundraising Bootcamp. Why should you attend? 1) There'll also be a panel covering challenges tech companies face when seeking private, government and non-dilutive funding; strategies on how to drive and accelerate revenue growth; venture and growth support; and other strategic funding solutions. Including industry specialists Lauren Mathurin James Campbell, Francois Mazoudier and Jon Keating, moderated by Monik Pham, Founding Partner of Pact. 3) A great excuse to meet and network with other founders, CEOs, CFOs, investors and advisors over drinks and nibbles, on a Thursday evening, in the City of London, before everyone goes on summer holidays. 🔗 Register now by following the link in the comments and we look forward to seeing you there! #capitalraising #startups #fundraising #founders #venturecapital #investors #vc #vcfunding #technology #startup #tech 

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Excellent panel on the societal, investment, startup/scaleup opportunities (and challenges) of AI with (L to R) ✅ 🦖 Christopher Lowe, CEO at NOTWICS ✅ Richard Potter, CEO at Peak 
✅ George Mensah, Sure Valley Ventures - UK AI Investor ✅ Christopher Hill, MD at EdenBase - US AI Investor
✅ Tim Ryan, Partner at DAC Beachcroft 
 Some good insights for the AI4C (AI for Charities) community and ScaleUp Group work with AI startups/scaleups. My notes :- ➡️ Foundational level is not where the value is. ➡️ General understanding of AI opportunities/impact is low … ”it took to Series C before I had to stop explaining” so clearly a big need to raise AI awareness/knowledge/education ➡️ Peak are already fine tuning LLMs so this option is available to incumbents. ➡️ Startups still have speed and agility so can be successful by addressing a real-world customer painpoints with excellent business metrics, speed on “go to market” ➡️ You need data (and domain expertise). Quality, not necessarily quantity of data. ➡️ Is there really a lot of “dry powder” out there ready to deploy ? LP conversations are very tough. Funds haven't necessarily delivered liquidity. ➡️ Buy in Europe, list in the US ➡️ Timing of IPO key, founders need to understand the reporting is/can be onerous - effectively every 6 weeks. ➡️ How to get value out in a reasonable time without affecting share price ➡️ If you're worth x2-3 in US - you can raise capital easier for organic/inorganic growth ➡️ Opportunities ➕ Ask how can AI augment human experience ➕ Personalised learning and Healthcare care ➕ Robotics ➡️ Challenges ⚠️ AI tools as a weapons of coercion ⚠️ Regulation - getting the best balance between enabling innovation and societal safety ⚠️ A lot of power in large private companies Many thanks to the 👏 panel 👏 🦖 Christopher Lowe for organising 👏 Tim Ryan and DAC Beachcroft team for hosting

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Very exciting day yesterday as we announced our partnership with Associated British Ports at the launch of their new sector-leading Energy Ventures Accellerator. ABP have such a large geographic footprint, and operate at such a vital point in value-chain of the national economy that this represents an amazing opportunity to seed and scale-up ClimateTech innovation in all corners of the UK. Plug and Play Tech Center are thrilled to be their innovation partner helping ABP deliver on this ambitious and important energy transition agenda led by Max Harris and backed by all parts of their business. As Henrik Lundgaard Pedersen, ABP CEO, said: “The energy transition is both a huge challenge and an opportunity. Partnership and innovation are going to essential if we are to collectively rise to the challenges and grasp the opportunities." A link to the full press release is in the comments. #GatewaysToTomorrow #KeepingBritainTrading #EnablingEnergyTransition #ReadyForTomorrow #ClimateTech #Startups #CVC #Venture #Innovation

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One of the podcasts I recorded earlier was on VCs, predominantly on early-stage funding within climate / construction tech. A certain part of the podcast focused on this VC's thesis around their strategy, and how they support these new start-ups. I try to do as much prep as possible. And if I do say so myself, the podcast is very good. It'll be edited. But there's certain aspects that just can't be edited; otherwise, it'd just sound odd.. And for some unknown reason, I couldn't get the word 'thesis' out. Probably about 5-6 different iterations of the word 'thesis'. It's hilarious listening back to it. It reminds me of this clip of Benedict Cumberbatch narrating a documentary on penguins, and having the same issue saying the word 'penguins'. Sign up to Climate Tech Spotlight to: 1. Learn about early-stage VC Climate/Construction Tech funding. 2. Laugh at my ability to say 'thesis'. Link in the comments. #climatetech

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"It's the UK's NASA moment – the chance to develop brand new technology and change the world." Usually when the UK has developed world changing technology - and there’s a long list of technologies they’ve pioneered - it ends up being commercialised in the US, which really is quite thoughtful of the Brits. It’s a special part of the Special Relationship. 😉 🇺🇸 🤝 🇬🇧 To be fair though this is true for all of Europe, and will only be increasingly so in the future. Europe should lean into it. https://lnkd.in/e2NKa3kw

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Want a sneak peek of UK funding data and trends we're seeing on shipshape.vc? Come along on Thursday, June 27th, to an event hosted in conjunction with HSBC Innovation Banking, Newfound and Fundraising Bootcamp. Why should you attend? 1) There'll also be a panel covering challenges tech companies face when seeking private, government and non-dilutive funding; strategies on how to drive and accelerate revenue growth; venture and growth support; and other strategic funding solutions. Including industry specialists Lauren Mathurin James Campbell, Francois Mazoudier and Jon Keating, moderated by Monik Pham, Founding Partner of Pact. 3) A great excuse to meet and network with other founders, CEOs, CFOs, investors and advisors over drinks and nibbles, on a Thursday evening, in the City of London, before everyone goes on summer holidays. 🔗 Register now by following the link in the comments and we look forward to seeing you there! #capitalraising #startups #fundraising #founders #venturecapital #investors #vc #vcfunding #technology #startup #tech 

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I'm excited to let you all know about an upcoming webinar I am hosting with top UK VCs on the topic of giving yourself the best chance of raising a Series A 🙌 Off the back of the benchmarking report I published for Episode 1 Ventures "The Definitive Guide to Raising a Series A in the UK in 2024", I will be joined by the following to discuss some key trends and topics: Simon Murdoch - Managing Partner at Episode 1 Laura McGinnis - Principle at Balderton Capital Nelly Markova - Partner at Molten Ventures Sasha Vidiborskiy - Partner at Atomico Among other things, come find out: - What are the critical metrics you need to hit? - How fast should you be growing? - How should you think about retention? - How do funds think about product-market-fit? - How should you think about competition? - And how mature does your GTM function need to be? Raising your Series A is tough, only 1 in 5 Seed-backed companies make it. Join me on Monday 13th May at 5pm UK time to help give yourself the best chance of a successful raise. Link to sign up in the comments below along with a link to the report... Thanks to OrbitalX for managing the webinar!

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techUK recently asked me to share views on #scaleup #investment challenges, which are condensed into a 3 minute blog post below. Hopefully an interesting read for UK tech entrepreneurs, VCs and policy makers... The opportunity to improve the landscape is clear. 🇬🇧

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Imagine carrying out that your #deeptechstartup 'has the science used by UFOs' and where many in corporate and LinkedIn meet/greet such a statement. "How can we believe or trust someone making such an outlandish claim, Reso? How come you have it and no one else?" Because I haven't gotten paid a working salary or earned a paycheck from pressing CTP forward for over two years now. Because the CTP Model adds two additional Fundamental Forces and an entire new field of science, Kaku's 'missing pieces' behind physical law', and because most of all... Because it is the truth. Because CTPSci Sciences can lead humankind to the stars. I am saying and stating the same things I was stating two years ago. (even 20 years ago during Drazen's original CTP Phase 1) (in spite of the 100s of 100s of statements from people claiming or stating they would assist our #startup in any way that ultimately never have done anything) (some days I would like to completely drop CTP, yet...) I AM STILL HERE. #founder #founders #founderstory #founderstories #techfounder #heiroftesla

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📊 Investing in Innovation: With the UK gearing up for the July 2024 general election, the investment landscape is evolving rapidly. In today’s discussion, Edward from West Hill Capital and I delve into the types of companies ready for investment beyond just tech. We explore the importance of innovation and unique selling points in attracting equity funding. If you’re looking to raise investment or need support within your business, book time with me: https://lnkd.in/e8Wf2TTa #StartupInvesting #Innovation #UKPolitics #Entrepreneurship

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Why UK investors are going to ask you about “SEIS” and “EIS” 🚨 Confused about SEIS and EIS? 🤔 Don't worry, we've got you covered! 💡 Our latest podcast ep with Sam Simpson breaks down these UK government tax incentive schemes for investors, designed to encourage investment in early-stage startups. Think 50% tax relief, CGT exemption, and more! 🤑 But, can you invest in your own company using these schemes? 🤔 The answer might surprise you... 👀 Have you used SEIS or EIS for your startup? Share your experiences in the comments below! 💬 #SEIS #EIS #startups

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Yesterday’s report from Barclays showed that there’s a significant funding gap globally for climate tech: a massive $4.35 trillion annually if the world is to meet its climate goals by 2030. While I applaud the recommendation that the new government could look to address the financing gap, I also know that demands on the public purse are coming from every direction and Ed Miliband has a lot on his plate and finite resources. It strikes me that the report’s third recommendation – to improve organisational connection and collaboration – is where we can start to take the most immediate action. The BRC Mondra Coalition is a shining example of the private sector coming together, and working pre-competitively to fund a united solution to common problems that stop the sector as a whole from progressing. It's on us in the private sector to collaborate and fund solutions that will enable the Net Zero transition.

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I love when accelerators ask me to run a funding strategy workshop to help the founders on the programme work out if they should raise! Especially if they're an early stage accelerator! It's so important as founders that we stop and check if investment is right for us, and if it is which kind, and is it right right now? It's why I co-founded IfWeRaise with Tim Deeson. To ensure entrepreneurs get to ask the right questions at the right time, before they're set on a path that's hard to leave happily. Really enjoyed talking about this on the Graduate Guide with Marlene Leiss. Ps if you're a founder and need help with what questions to ask to work this out,  or if you're running an accelerator and want to offer your community/cohort this support, drop me a note - I'd love to help! #founders #fundraising #investment #accelerator#startups #startupstories #fundingstrategy #entrepreneurship  Type your message...

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Innovation and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, so I was pleased to hear that different stakeholders were involved in launching Glasgow’s first ‘venture studio’. Don’t worry if you’re not too familiar with the phrase, it simply means organisations that create startups. The project is part of the Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID), supported by Glasgow City Council and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The objective of the GCID Venture Studio is to help Glasgow-based founders develop new business models or products with a whole team of different individuals, from designers and developers to other experts, working together to build and scale up new business ideas. Not only will the studio offer innovative programmes where multiple projects and businesses will be able to collaborate, it will showcase four pillars of activity designed to support the needs of the city’s digital, technology, engineering and creative sectors. Interestingly the first call is around a challenge on space data - where businesses selling or using solutions that use space data to further collaborate with existing or potential customers, can take part. Not only does this extend to Glasgow businesses, students from universities are also involved, where successful companies can receive grant funding of up to £30,000. The first activity is in partnership with Scottish Enterprise’s mission programme team with support from University of Strathclyde’s space group and the West of Scotland Space Cluster. To see Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise get involved is great news, as this is not only investment just within Glasgow, but it should also help drive further economic growth in the future, which is incredibly important, and even create more jobs. It’s great to see this progress as I recall when GCID first launched in 2006. Since then, it has been led by various professors, however I look forward to seeing future startups develop and flourish thanks to the Venture Studio.

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Thinking about five levels of AI-as-product 0 - 'Just software' - often invisible. E.g. battery optimisation 1 - 'Auto' feature. E.g. autofocus 2 - 'Smart' feature: E.g. generative fill, smart summarise 3 - 'AI' Vertical tool. E.g. 'here's a 10k - build a full financial model and answer questions about it' 4 - AI maximalist 'world model' that can do 'anything' (which might really be 'AGI')

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