FundingHero Launches New East Midlands Fundraising Accelerator, Partnering With Haatch’s Early-stage East Midlands Fund.

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 25 November 2024

UPDATED: 26 November 2024

The FundingHero team is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new High Growth Fundraising Accelerator programme, commencing in January 2025—this time in the East Midlands!

The launch coincides perfectly with an investment partnership with Haatch, an early-stage venture capital investor who recently collaborated with D2N2 LEP and the British Business Bank to create an £8M fund aimed at early-stage companies based in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The programme is further strengthened by the support of Minerva Business Angels, one of the UK’s most active angel networks. Participants in the cohort will have the opportunity to pitch for up to £500,000* from Haatch, alongside other investors, at a demo day held at The Shard in London. (*Subject to investment committee approval, due diligence, and formal contracts.)

Supporting the Region’s Most Ambitious Businesses

The programme aims to support up to eight high-growth potential businesses in its January cohort, helping them prepare to secure equity investment. The accelerator is intentionally designed for companies seeking to understand the rigours of raising multiple funding rounds. It features a series of comprehensive investment-readiness sprints led by an experienced scale-up Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

This tailored programme ensures that each business develops a fully aligned financial and fundraising strategy, guiding them through the process with a clear approach to maximise their chances of success in today’s demanding funding environment.

FundingHero is proud to have supported businesses like ChangeMaker3D Ltd, led by female founder Natalie Wadley, a recent finalist in the prestigious "One 2 Win" £1M investment competition at the TechWM Week closing dinner. Previous cohort members have also successfully secured over £1M in venture capital interest after completing the programme.

Partnership With Haatch: Powering Investment Success

The East Midlands boasts an abundance of talented businesses with big ambitions and a need for growth capital. The recent collaboration between Haatch and D2N2 LEP will see investments focused on Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire through the Haatch D2N2 ESAIF (Early Stage Angel Investment Fund). With £8M ring-fenced for investments, this partnership will fuel the growth of emerging startups and entrepreneurial talent in the region. Co-investment from British Business Investments via Haatch adds further strength to the fund.

Haatch’s unique venture capital approach, rooted in its founders’ entrepreneurial backgrounds, sets it apart. Fred Soneya, Co-founder and Partner at Haatch, reflects:

"At Haatch, we understand the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs outside London face because we’ve been there ourselves. Our experience building companies in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire drives us to support other entrepreneurs with the guidance and resources they need to succeed. To date, 75% of Haatch’s investments have been into companies based outside London, making our collaboration with D2N2 LEP a perfect fit."

FundingHero is delighted to have Haatch as an investment partner. Jim Shirley, Founder of FundingHero, said:

“Our goal is to streamline businesses’ readiness journeys, making it easier for funders like Haatch to back these promising ventures.”

Vicky Mears, Director UK Network - Midlands & North of England at the British Business Bank, said:

"The FundingHero accelerator has proven to be pivotal in helping innovative and investment-ready businesses reach their potential by providing all the tools, resources, and support that they need to thrive.

"The British Business Bank continues to support and anticipates the brand-new High Growth Fundraising Accelerator programme, commencing in January 2025, will guide more exciting Midlands-based businesses along their growth journey and towards a promising future."

Opportunity to Pitch for Investment at The Shard

At the end of the cohort, Haatch’s investment team will attend the demo day, where participating businesses can pitch for a term sheet of up to £500,000*. Other investors will also be present, making this a potential game-changer for high-growth businesses in the East Midlands.
(*Subject to investment committee approval, due diligence, and formal contracts.)

Minerva Business Angels further enhances the programme by offering founders the chance to pitch at The Shard in London, accessing a pool of angel investors. As one of the most active angel groups in the UK, Minerva provides not only funding opportunities but also valuable networks and expertise—an invaluable addition to the programme.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is ideal for East Midlands businesses that are:

• Poised for high growth.
• Demonstrating strong initial traction with a product in the market.
• Raising investment rounds between £250,000 and £3M+.

What Businesses Gain From the Accelerator

Participants in the accelerator gain the tools, resources, and connections needed to secure investment and scale. Key takeaways include:

• A clear scale-up raise plan tailored to your business’s unique growth trajectory.
• Clarity on funding needs, ensuring you raise the right amount to achieve your goals.
• Investor-ready pitch decks and financials that tell a compelling story.
• Confidence in setting a realistic valuation aligned with your growth potential.
• Polished pitching skills to effectively communicate your vision and avoid common pitfalls.
• A fully prepared data room for investor review, streamlining due diligence.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are now open, with only eight slots available—so don’t miss out! If you’re ready to secure investment and elevate your business, apply now.

Apply here: https://www.fundinghero.co.uk/fundraising-accelerator
Application Deadline: Thursday, December 12
Programme Start Date: January 2025

FundingHero extends special thanks to the British Business Bank for their ongoing support in empowering UK businesses.

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