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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 –…
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…
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…
Paying it forward – successful founders help and support the next generation of startups. This support comes in many forms; mentoring, advise, introductions and investment. It’s also not specific to the tech world, there has also been a tradition of one generation helping the next. We can see that it’s well established in NI…
Last year Matt Johnston and myself picked up the Belfast Silicon Drinkabout batton from Dermott McElduff who had been running the events. Matt and I are both founders of Raise Ventures, but this is an extra-curricular project. Matt loves tech and I love going to the pub so we’re well placed to take this forward.…
