Author Archives: Michael McDowell

Fintech should see the Covid Crisis as a Dangerous time with Opportunity.

By Michael McDowellSeptember 16, 2020Commentary

In 2011 I wrote a blog for Sapphire Capital Partners (https://info.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/blog/bid/200229/crowdfunding-sees-the-banking-crisis-as-an-opportunity-with-danger) discussing the continuing fallout of the 2008 banking crisis and the opportunities for the then revolutionary idea of Equity Crowd funding and P2P lending. The title of the Blog was “Crowdfunding sees the banking crisis as an Opportunity with Danger”. In hindsight, it should…

No surprise to us here at Raise Ventures – “Belfast ninth in the top tech cities of the future according to Financial Times – fDi Intelligence.”

By Michael McDowellJuly 1, 2020Commentary, Community, Digital, Innovation, Investors, Remote Working, Technology

This recognition is well placed and the ranking is all the more impressive when you look at the populations of the cities in the top 9 places. Andrew Jenkins, Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland was quoted to say: “Confirmation that Belfast has been ranked in the inaugural top 10 “Tech Cities of the Future” for…

Investing in Lock Down – word on the zoom

By Michael McDowellJune 1, 2020Commentary, Investors, Startupsinvestment, lockdown, startup

Like everyone, we’ve been listening to a lot of zoom calls organised by HBAN, EBAN ( and their members), Greenbackers, Seedrs, Ignite, Expotential, Angels Den and our Raise sessions to name a few. These are the key themes and messages we’re hearing regarding fund raising: Some of the best returning investments in angel…

Get inside the Investor’s head!

By Michael McDowellMay 5, 2020Commentary, Investors, Pitchinginvestors, pitching, Startups

Before an early stage startup founder approaches investors they have to put themselves in the position of the investor and make sure they have the answers to the questions below. The idea – does it solve a problem? Does this idea capture my imagination? Can I see it in action solving a…

Covid-19 impact on Startup Investment

By Michael McDowellApril 21, 2020Commentary, covid19

The Covid lock down has led to an increase in webinars and blogs from the investment community. They have given a great insight into the current state of play. The general themes are: Priority is keeping the lights on or helping them shine brighter. The priority of angels, VCs and funds is to protect their…

Government support for startups? Nowhere to be seen.

By Michael McDowellMarch 31, 2020Commentary, covid19

While our priority at Raise is to support our portfolio companies and the wider community as we deal with the pandemic but we have to keep looking forward. This blog is in comment to an article in the Sunday Times Business Section. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2020-03-29/business/coronavirus-start-ups-facing-funding-collapse-v0fbwwkqz The Sunday Times has reported on a significant drop in levels…

NI Startups and Businesses helping in Covid crisis.

By Michael McDowellMarch 30, 2020Community, covid19

The response to the Covid crisis from the Northern Ireland startup and wider business community has been very positive with many firms stepping up to provide their services and innovate new ones. The team at Shnuggle have designed and are manufacturing protective face mask equipment for NHS staff. They have launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise…

Reasons to be cheerful. Part 1.

By Michael McDowellMarch 10, 2020Commentary, covid19, Culture

As the world battles Corvid-19, climate change and rollercoaster financial markets it’s worth focusing on some reason’s Northern Ireland’s startups have to be cheerful! More support is available for startups than ever before. We would obviously point out that Raise should be first port of call for any entrepreneurs with great ideas –…

Getting your business ready to enter the investment stage.

By Michael McDowellMarch 3, 2020Commentary, Crowdfunding, Ethics, Funding, Investors, Legalsangel investment, crowdfunding, investment, investors, pitch, platforms, Startups

A well recognised route a startup can take to find investors are crowdfunding and angel investment platforms. They provide businesses with a stage to present their investment opportunity and the administrative systems to accept investment in an orderly manner. This has been achieved by the use of new technology and the implementation of efficient business…

The Joy of SEIS

By Michael McDowellFebruary 17, 2020Commentary, Ethics, Founders, Funding, Investors, Legalsangels, hmrc, innovation, investment, seis, Startups

When a startup founder establishes their business they will likely have a strategy in mind for how they will fund it. This generally starts with savings, grants and bootstrapping tactics. In most cases this will be followed by an investment round from angels or other invsetors. What is often overlooked in Northern Ireland is the…

Author Archives: Michael McDowell

Fintech should see the Covid Crisis as a Dangerous time with Opportunity.

No surprise to us here at Raise Ventures – “Belfast ninth in the top tech cities of the future according to Financial Times – fDi Intelligence.”

Investing in Lock Down – word on the zoom

Get inside the Investor’s head!

Covid-19 impact on Startup Investment

Government support for startups? Nowhere to be seen.

NI Startups and Businesses helping in Covid crisis.

Reasons to be cheerful. Part 1.

Getting your business ready to enter the investment stage.

The Joy of SEIS

7 top tips to maintain positive mental health from Northern Irish tech professionals.

Tech for Non Tech Focus on UX

Support For Female Founded Startups

Why would you want to start a startup?

What's Your View on EIS / SEIS investment schemes?

Guest Blog by Jason Bell - So You Want To Write a Tech Book?

15 Top Tools of Founders Need in The Startup World