Attracting top talent as a growing business is tough, especially when you don't have the biggest name or the largest budget. And yet getting hiring right the first time saves thousands in lost productivity. Join us for our upcoming Lunch & Learn session with recruitment experts @roberthalf, where you'll come away with actionable tips to optimise your hiring process. What this session will cover: - How to position your brand as an employer to attract and secure high-calibre talent - Tailoring your hiring strategy to fit your current growth phase - Streamlining recruitment processes to make it faster, fairer, and more effective - Live Q&A to discuss your specific hiring bottlenecks and challenges Save your spot today and bring your toughest hiring questions 👇 luma.com/gwol9a5r

What does it actually take to prepare for a fundraise? Funding isn't one-size-fits-all and there's no single winning formula. What will work for a biotech startup won't be right for a revenue-first solo founder. That’s why Capital Enterprise is delivering another cohort of the Funding Readiness Programme, in partnership with @eagle_labs. Over the course of 10 live online sessions, our team will help demystify the fundraising journey so you can choose the right path for your business. What you'll master: ➡️ Grants & non-dilutive funding ➡️ Equity financing & angel investment ➡️ Crowdfunding dynamics ➡️ Debt financing & alternative funding routes Ready to build a fundraising strategy that works for you? Then apply today. labs.uk.barclays/what-we-off…

Do you want to fund your business but don't know where to start? Delivered by @capenterprise, over the course of 10 weeks you'll learn about, Grant funding, Crowdfunding, Equity investment and more Find out more and apply now 👇 labs.uk.barclays/what-we-off…

Last chance to sign up for our webinar this Thursday with @Mishcon_de_Reya! Moving fast is a great startup strategy – until it hits your legal structure. Don't let that turn into a governance headache and risk for yourself. Full details here: luma.com/uu4369jg

Five years ago, we set out to change the trajectory of cancer innovation through a partnership with @CRUKresearch and @CR_Horizons. The result? The Cancer Tech Accelerator. Today, we’re looking back at a half decade of steadily increasing impact and incredible momentum: 5 cohorts, 320+ brilliant founders, and over $80 million raised in combined grants and equity funding. What started in 2021 as a bold new way to support cutting-edge oncology tech has evolved into a community of builders and innovators. Our alumni aren’t just hitting massive commercial milestones. They are actively making an impact for the patients and clinicians who need it the most. To celebrate this milestone, we are bringing the community together on Wednesday, 9th September at One Triton Square. Expect panels tackling the Series A oncology landscape, raw conversations on CEO leadership, and lots more. Whether you're a CTA alum, a current founder, an investor, or a partner who has supported the accelerator since Day One, we hope you can make it! Full details and how to sign up 👇 luma.com/nzintapu

Moving fast is a great startup strategy – until it hits your legal structure. Founders often put execution first and details later. But ignoring governance early on can lead to massive headaches (and personal risk) down the road. Join us for our next Lunch & Learn with Andrew Wolfin, partner in the Emerging Companies team at @Mishcon_de_Reya. We'll break down the basics of startup governance and how to protect your company. 🗓️ Thursday, 23 July ⏰ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 👇 Save your spot here: luma.com/uu4369jg Bring your questions and your war stories!

Just 7% of companies that raise a seed round will go onto raise Series A. If you’re planning to be part of that 7%, it’s never too early to start preparing. That was the message delivered by @JoinVenturePath in an online Lunch & Learn session we hosted recently. Over the course of an hour, he gave a high-speed overview of how VCs differ from angel investors and what early-stage founders need to know before pitching them. The first key lesson? If the seed stage is about quick pivots and trialing new ideas, Series A is about provable execution and repeatability. While it’s normal for an early-stage company to experiment, VCs at the Series A stage will be looking for solid evidence that you’ve worked out the kinks and all you need is a little jet fuel to take off. Ian walked us through the five stages of investor readiness, starting with building your data room and working backwards to create financial models, your business plan and pitch deck. The last and final stage – and the very first thing the investor sees – is the teaser you send before even sharing a deck. For those reaching out to investors, Ian also shared a four-point framework for evaluating whether a particular investor is worth your time. - Thesis alignment: if you’re building a biotech, there’s no point speaking to a VC with a focus on robotics or defence. - Portfolio conflict: if they just invested in your biggest competitor, they probably won’t look at another venture in the same area. - Target return portfolio: you should know what kind of return your company is capable of. If you’re looking to build a unicorn, don’t pitch the tax-efficient investors looking for a low risk 2-3x return. - Value add beyond money: whoever your investors are, you’ll be speaking to them month after month for the next several years. The best investors bring a lot more than money to the table, so choose carefully. When we opened the floor to questions, one of the first that came through was: what’s the most valuable relationship founders can build right now? The instant answer: “Your customers.” That’s the first thing investors look for. If they don’t see customers, they won’t look any further.

Last chance at this webinar on financial forecasting for startups 🚨 Most early-stage startups don’t fail from a lack of passion or great ideas. They fail because they run out of cash. Whether you're bootstrapping or preparing to fundraise, it's crucial to have a detailed understanding not just of where you're currently spending, but how that's going to change as the company grows. That's why we’re hosting a practical, fluff-free Lunch & Learn designed to give founders the tools to create their own financial forecasts. Here is what we will unpack in just 60 minutes: 👉 What a useful financial model actually includes (and what to leave out) 👉 How to precisely calculate when your business becomes self-sustaining, crucial for those looking to bootstrap in the current climate 👉 Practical steps to better manage cashflow and protect your runway 📅 Date: Tuesday, 16 June ⏰ Time: 12:30 - 13:30 BST 📍 Where: Google Meet (grab your lunch and join us online) Secure your free spot via the link👇 luma.com/23mm84ep

For startup founders navigating their first fundraise, nothing beats face time with investors. That was the driving force behind our final event for the latest Funding Readiness cohort with @eagle_labs. We hosted an investor office hours session in Shoreditch, bringing a dozen ambitious founders together with seven hand-picked mentors and investors for a fast-paced morning of pitching and conversations. The goal? Giving founders direct access to the exact audience they’re trying to persuade with space for direct feedback and course corrections. The immediate response suggested that was invaluable. The afternoon was packed with moments of real insight, such as creating clarity on the exact metrics investors look for before committing to a pre-seed round. It also inspired a few strategic pivots, with one founder realising he might not need to fundraise at all. As one founder put it: "The enthusiasm for what I’m building has been really lovely to see. I have learned a lot on the programme!" A massive thank you to our founders for their incredible energy and hard work, and to the mentors and investors for their expertise and candid feedback.

Most early-stage startups don’t fail from a lack of passion or great ideas. They fail because they run out of cash. Whether you're bootstrapping or preparing to fundraise, it's crucial to have a detailed understanding not just of where you're currently spending, but how that's going to change as the company grows. And we know that can feel incredibly daunting when you're already wearing five or six different hats. That's why we’re hosting a practical, fluff-free Lunch & Learn designed to give founders the tools to create their own financial forecasts. Here is what we will unpack in just 60 minutes: 👉 What a useful financial model actually includes (and what to leave out) 👉 How to precisely calculate when your business becomes self-sustaining, crucial for those looking to bootstrap in the current climate 👉 Practical steps to better manage cashflow and protect your runway 📅 Date: Tuesday, 16 June ⏰ Time: 12:30 - 13:30 BST 📍 Where: Google Meet (grab your lunch and join us online) Secure your free spot via the link👇 luma.com/23mm84ep Whether you're an early-stage founder or scaling a fast-growing business, this session will help you feel more confident when it comes to making informed financial decisions.

We recently hosted a showcase for the latest cohort of Amplify Venture, and it was incredible to see how far these founders have come in just six months! Developed alongside @weareonetech and @foundervine, Amplify Venture supports a select group of fast-growing London innovators. Highlights from the afternoon: - Eye2Gene: Revolutionising genetic eye disease diagnosis by slashing the diagnostic timeline from years to months. A spinout already securing major grants and investment. - LendoCare: Making medical equipment as easy to rent as an Amazon delivery. A purpose-driven team tackling the needs of an aging population. - Period Harmony: A retail powerhouse in Boots and Walmart. Their topical solution addresses a pain point for 80% of women, boasting a 75% repeat purchase rate. - iCook: Moving beyond calorie counting to a comprehensive solution for health and longevity. With 250k downloads, they are building serious momentum. - Naxxar: Creating a data platform for global supply chains, helping brands like Tommy Hilfiger track GPS and carbon emissions in real-time. - ComplyLens: Challenging the GRC status quo with a risk assessment platform covering a growing number of industry-specific needs. - Ascendia: Helping globally mobile talent navigate the UK job market through career pathway mapping and positioning support. - Date Sultan: A social enterprise that has sold millions of dates while actively fighting modern slavery in the supply chain. A huge thank you to @zoepeden from @Ananda_Ventures for her keynote. Her journey from Stockport to tech founder and VC was a masterclass in resilience, and as she put it, "Diversity isn’t just a checkbox – it’s about value creation." And special thanks to @MayorofLondon for the ongoing support of London's startup ecosystem.

Final days to apply! The journey to raising a round doesn't have to be a solo mission. We are thrilled to continue delivering the Funding Readiness Programme with @eagle_labs, supporting the next wave of UK innovators. This programme has been structured to give you the network, the tools and the understanding you need to succeed. From refining your pitch to understanding alternatives to a traditional fundraise, we’ve got you covered. Here are just a few of the highlights: ✅ 10 weeks of live, interactive sessions ✅ A comprehensive curriculum (grants, equity, debt, and more) ✅ Exclusive on-demand content ✅ A community of like-minded founders ✅ The chance to meet our funding readiness team. Ready to take the next steps with your fundraising plans? Join us for the next cohort. Apply here by Friday 13th March: labs.uk.barclays/what-we-off…

Six months of growth on one stage 📈 Join us for the Amplify Venture Showcase Day on Wednesday 4th March! We are celebrating the culmination of a 6 month journey for some of London’s most promising growth-stage founders. Why attend? - Pitch Showcase: See these founders reveal their plans to scale - Expert Keynote: Insights from a top industry leader (announcing soon!) - Build Your Ecosystem: Connect with key players in the capital's startup support ecosystem, including our friends @weareonetech and @foundervine. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow your network or an investor scouting deals, we hope to see you there! Register here: luma.com/jg5odf4z

This is for founders, academics and researchers developing technology related to the detection, diagnosis or treatment of cancer 🧬 🚨 Don't miss your chance to apply to Cohort 5 of the Cancer Tech Accelerator! 🚨 From day one of the Bootcamp to Phase II, you will gain access to expert training, mentorship, and networks that will prove invaluable to your medtech journey. Join the UK's largest oncology accelerator, supported by @CR_UK @CR_Horizons @BrainTumourOrg @bloodcancer_uk and others! Start your application here here 👇 capenterprise.typeform.com/t…

Stop guessing what investors want. The investment landscape has shifted, and if you’re pitching based on 2023's playbook then you're already behind. Join us for an exclusive webinar led by exited founder and active angel investor Jonny Clark @vntrcartography Jonny will be breaking down the major factors driving the market right now: - The AI Factor: How it’s redefining valuations and runway expectations. - UK Trends: A breakdown of sector-specific and geographical shifts. - The Founder Fit: What investors prioritise now versus previous years. This session is a deep dive into the methodology we use in our brand-new programme with Hukm Launch Pad, where we help high-potential founders build an MVP and lay the foundation to fundraise successfully in just 12 weeks. Register today: luma.com/zurjhwwk

We could not be more proud of the Phase II finalists that pitched at the Cancer Tech Accelerator Conference! Hosted at the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering, the energy in the room was a testament to innovation. Each of these teams has developed groundbreaking technology with the potential to transform the lives of cancer patients: -  Biop-CE: A new approach to treating brain tumours through precision-targeted drug release. - CoED Biosciences: Unlocking the mass market for cell therapies with safe, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. - Precision Microbubbles: Improving blood-brain barrier penetration to deliver the next generation of brain therapeutics. - Serpenta: Transforming endoluminal surgery through fluid-actuated robotics. - Neurolase: Revolutionising the safety and precision of neurosurgery by merging laser tools with real-time AI. Selected from a competitive cohort of 20 teams in Phase I, each finalist has received funding to continue validating their technology and moving from "bench to bedside." A massive thank you to our partners @CR_UK and @CR_Horizons for their tireless support of innovation! Special thanks to our supporters: @bloodcancer_uk @BrainTumourOrg @HGF_IP @DebiopharmNews

Nailed it. The 'buts' are always about execution, network, and financial acumen. Founders must demonstrate not just vision, but the tangible ability to deliver on all fronts. That's the real pitch.