Ben Chesser

SwimAbility.co.uk is now available for sale through Sedo.com. This is a premium domain name that encapsulates the essence of #swimming and aquatic activities. This domain is not just a web address; it’s a brandable asset that can elevate your business in the swimming industry. Why Choose SwimAbility.co.uk? Memorable and Brandable: The name “SwimAbility” is catchy, easy to remember, and directly relates to swimming and #wateractivities. It evokes a sense of skill and capability in swimming, making it perfect for businesses focused on #swim lessons, #aquaticfitness, or #watersports. Targeted Audience: With an increasing number of individuals seeking swimming lessons and aquatic #fitness programs, this domain positions you perfectly to attract parents looking for swim classes for their children or adults interested in improving their swimming skills. SEO-Friendly: The inclusion of “swim” in the domain name enhances its search engine optimization (SEO) potential. This means that your website will have a better chance of ranking higher in search results related to swimming, thereby driving more traffic to your site. Versatile Applications: Whether you are starting a #swimschool, launching an online store selling swim gear, or creating content around aquatic fitness, SwimAbility.co.uk provides the flexibility needed for various business models within the swimming niche. Professional Image: Owning a .co.uk domain adds credibility to your business. It signals professionalism and trustworthiness to potential customers who are searching for reliable services or products related to swimming. This domain not only represents your passion for swimming but also serves as a powerful tool for building your brand in the aquatic industry. Don’t let this chance slip away. #swimability #domains

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Introducing Furnitured.co.uk a London-based platform built to empower UK businesses with cutting-edge solutions for the buying and selling of new and pre-owned furniture. Our platform connects individuals across the UK, providing an easy, sustainable way to discover and share quality furniture. 🌟 Community-Driven Marketplace: Furnitured enables smooth, trusted transactions between buyers and sellers, creating a vibrant marketplace where furniture finds a second life. 💼 Effortless Listing & Discovery: Our platform simplifies the listing process, making it easy for users to upload and browse furniture, bringing unique pieces to a wider audience. 🌱 Sustainability at Heart: With Furnitured, we're not just connecting buyers and sellers; we’re encouraging sustainable choices by extending the life of furniture. 📈 Seamless User Experience: Designed with both ease and efficiency in mind, Furnitured offers a straightforward, intuitive interface, making buying and selling furniture effortless for everyone. Join us as we transform the way furniture is traded, bringing convenience and sustainability together. Follow us for updates on this exciting journey!

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Are you a SeedLegals customer? Get 20% off Profyle Card as part of our great partnership with the UK's leading platform for startups Read more about our partnership and how together we're levelling up startup networking here https://lnkd.in/d5M9An4M #startups #discounts #profylecard #seedlegals #entrepreneurs #networking #leadgen

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Want a demo of Deal Lite? Happy to give a personal demo https://lnkd.in/erspFMm9 At Deal Lite, we capture data on funding rounds. We focus on UK technology businesses only. Here’s a snapshot of what we have captured over Monday and Tuesday of this week. Our data includes: - 4,346 venture-backed UK tech companies. - 3,920 venture capitalists who have funded them. - 1,859 business angels who have funded them. - 6,512 funding rounds We focus on giving you timely information so you can do something about it. In most cases, our customers use us as a lead generation service. We are not attempting to replace expensive databases you already subscribe to, e.g. Pitchbooks. We sit alongside them, offering you bite-sized leads and information you can act on today. Accordingly, we have priced both Deal Lite News and Deal Lite Web App to be affordable to everyone. Book demo: https://lnkd.in/erspFMm9 Deal Lite website: https://deallite.uk Deal Lite weekly deal news: https://lnkd.in/efmz5xBP #UKtech #UKTechInvestments #TechInvestments #Investments

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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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CountyStoves.co.uk is now available for sale through @ Brandable. This is a premium domain name that embodies quality, craftsmanship, and tradition in the #stove industry. This domain is perfect for businesses specializing in #woodburningstoves, #multifuelstoves, or any #heating solutions that cater to the needs of homeowners looking for reliable and efficient heating options. Why Choose CountyStoves.co.uk? Memorable and Brandable: The name “County Stoves” evokes a sense of local pride and community connection. It’s easy to remember, making it an ideal choice for customers seeking trustworthy products. A memorable domain can significantly enhance brand recognition and customer loyalty. SEO-Friendly: With “stoves” directly in the domain name, this site is optimized for search engines, improving visibility when potential customers search for #stove-related products or services. This can lead to increased organic traffic and higher conversion rates. Targeted Audience Appeal: The “.co.uk” extension signals a focus on the UK market, appealing directly to local consumers who prefer shopping from domestic suppliers. This specificity helps build trust with your audience as they recognize you as a local expert in #stoves. Versatile Business Opportunities: Whether you are selling stoves, offering #stoveinstallation services, or providing maintenance and repair solutions, CountyStoves.co.uk provides a versatile platform to showcase your offerings. You can expand into related areas such as accessories or even content marketing through blogs about #stovecare and #energy efficiency. Strong Market Demand: The demand for home heating solutions continues to grow as more homeowners seek eco-friendly options that reduce their carbon footprint while providing warmth during colder months. By establishing your business under this domain, you position yourself strategically within a thriving market. Investing in this domain means securing a valuable digital asset that not only represents your #brand but also enhances your marketing efforts through its SEO advantages and local appeal. #countystoves #domains

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'Discount Variations' are launching soon in Quoli ⭐️ 💰 Merchants would be able to tailor their incentives based on the type of review submitted. Let's say if there are 📝 Text-only reviews, you can offer no discounts 📸 For photos, offer a fixed price or % discount (5%) 🎥 For videos, offer a slightly bigger discount (10%) Plus: - You can set a minimum order value - Use Quoli's auto-generated codes - Use existing discounts from Shopify - Set expiry for discount codes (days) - Enable reminders for code expiry - Enable reminders for photos/videos #Quoli #ReviewDiscounts #Shopify

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Startups and Crypto sound like a marriage made in heaven - low-cost transactions, new markets, lower-risk payments. But how do Founders get started? Read this piece in Startups Magazine to determine if crypto is right for your business.

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Word of warning to retailers and agencies When choosing and recommending payment solutions, ensure you fully understand that providers that don’t do KYC checks (Know Your Customer) up front do them whilst you are trading and locked in, if they decide they don’t like a business after trading starts, they can put a hold over your earned money. They deem it their money due to the risk of chargeback and can legally withhold money from your business, potentially starving you of working capital that you may need to pay your suppliers and curtail your marketing spend, this can negatively spiral your business into a rapid descent to administration. (This isn’t speculation, it came from a retailer I met today!) Be very vigilant and don’t just assume getting on a KYC free payment solution or joining an ecommerce provider that white labels and forces / overly encourages you to use one is a good thing - it could literally be the end of your business. Whilst a bank or decent acquirer will drag you kicking and screaming through KYC and may put unfavourable terms to you if your books aren’t showing massive positivity, it is usually better the devil you know than the angel you don’t And don’t assume the ecommerce provider that white labels and sells you it will be able to help, they most likely will have no say.

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BrandFest.co.uk is now available for sale through Sedo.com. This domain name encapsulates the essence of #branding, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to establish a strong online presence. Target Audience: The primary audience for this domain includes #entrepreneurs, small #businessowners, #marketing professionals, and #brand strategists who are eager to learn about branding strategies, share insights, and connect with like-minded individuals. The name suggests a festival-like atmosphere where ideas flourish and creativity thrives. Key Features: Educational Resources: BrandFest.co.uk will offer a wealth of resources including articles, webinars, and tutorials focused on various aspects of branding—from #logodesign to #socialmedia strategy. Networking Opportunities: The platform will serve as a hub for networking among branding enthusiasts. Users can participate in forums, attend virtual events, or join workshops that foster collaboration and idea exchange. Expert Insights: Featuring guest posts from industry leaders and branding experts, BrandFest.co.uk will provide valuable insights into current trends and best practices in the branding world. Community Engagement: A vibrant community section will allow users to share their experiences, seek advice, and celebrate successes in their branding journeys. Benefits of Choosing BrandFest.co.uk: Memorable Name: The catchy name “BrandFest” is easy to remember and conveys a sense of excitement around the topic of branding. Versatile Branding Potential: Whether you are launching a new product line or rebranding an existing business, this domain offers flexibility to adapt as your brand evolves. SEO Advantages: Incorporating the keyword “brand” directly into the domain enhances search engine visibility for users searching for branding-related content. Investing in this domain means securing a powerful online identity that resonates with your target audience while providing ample opportunities for growth and engagement in the ever-evolving landscape of branding. #brandfest #domains

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Sales processes Of products and services Of businesses Planning ahead Here’s a thought👇🏼 The wheels of profitable commerce depend on sales, so it’s always a bit strange that in the UK that sales people are still somehow under rated. We talk of technical founders and non technical founders, we talk about operations teams, we talk about fund raising, we rightly focus on client segmentation, and we should be talking about client needs. And so the list goes on. But rarely about the art and skills of selling. We talk about it obliquely when we talk of product market fit and go to market strategies. Because guess who makes those cogs go round? Sales teams do. Who provides the feedback mechanism? Sales people do. Marketeers design the messages and claim the strategy, they build the plans and write the content, they pick the channels, they quantify and qualify the feedback. All good and vital. Investopedia tells us that “Marketing refers to the activities a company undertakes to promote the buying or selling of its products or services. Marketing includes advertising and allows businesses to sell products and services to consumers, other businesses, and organizations.” However sales is the main event that makes this business happen. So many cost lines and sales teams are the revenue line. The content conversations on here talk about fund raising and then celebrate exits. I’ve rarely seen content about sales processes and an even rarer sight is talking about selling businesses. The latter is going to be part of the cycle unless you are focussed on building an evergreen family business. It’s definitely going to be part of the cycle if you have taken in external capital because that’s how they will crystallise their profit . It makes me think we all better have a plan for that leg of the journey so that it’s not full of surprises. Let’s hope more people start writing about it and then it’ll start being discussed openly. #ThinkLikeAClient #GrumpyOptimism #TechStartUps #VentureStudios #Innovations Footnote: all my content is written daily by me with no additives or tricks. If it interests you please tag the 🔔 in my profile to get it delivered straight to you. Otherwise if you search #GrumpyOptimism and #GrumpyOptimist you’ll find my library of past posts. Never recycled, always fresh.

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Starting a business is no small feat; many people face uncertainties that can feel daunting. If you're in that position, a practical checklist can make all the difference. It starts with researching the market to find a real customer need. This foundational step helps you craft your unique selling proposition. Next, a solid business plan is invaluable. It defines your mission and outlines your strategy for success. Once you have that, it's time to think about registering your business and choosing the right structure, whether that's a sole trader, partnership, or limited company. Financing is often a challenge, but exploring grants, loans, and crowdfunding can provide the necessary fuel without burning a hole in your wallet. Branding follows, where you define who you are as a business, not just what you offer. Building a seamless customer experience is crucial too, so plan your operational processes carefully. Finally, when you're ready, launch your business and keep the conversation going with your customers online. These steps are crucial for setting up a successful venture, and anyone starting out can benefit from following them. Feel free to drop your own tips or share your experiences while starting a business. https://lnkd.in/eBWtc3aS

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Key events one must not ignore if you are building a tech startup - If you are in the North of England - Northern Tech Awards run by GP Bullhound and founded by me - If you are in Europe, State of European Tech Report annually produced by Atomico The latest report https://lnkd.in/eyFwAJNm, which was released today at Slush has a whole section on talent. Key themes emerging - hiring isn't easy - first time job seekers have fallen - UK remains a top tech nation for tech jobs - Competition for senior tech talent is high - AI talent is clustering In terms of tech companies obsession with the US - Europeans starts more tech companies than the US - European founders are more experienced than ever (that goes without saying) - Startups are spinning out from top tech companies (this is the essential ingredient for ecosystem survival) - Skype mafia still rules in Europe (US equivalent is PayPal) So what does it take to build and grow a tech startup - know how and ability to execute (Europe has plenty due to Exits) - Capital (over flowing with cautionary investors) - Talent When it comes to know how, Techcelerate https://lnkd.in/eKeefU7 is here for you. Join us on the 27th https://lu.ma/upag9uga When it comes to talent, SkilledUp Life has 52,000 skilled volunteers who can help to de-risk your tech startup for investors. This is achieved through Techcelerate Way by building teams with SkilledUp Life volunteers: - Validate the idea - Build your product - Build brand awareness - Generate demand - Acquire users and convert to customers - Delight customers and manage churn - Grow your team If you have the will, there is nothing to stop you now. Europe has everything you need. Want to discuss further: - Attend our LinkedIn events on Friday at 12 pm GMT - Book a demo and a chat https://lnkd.in/erspFMm9 Serious tech founders only Niklas Zennström Laura Connell Shamal Thakar Alvaro Campos Hillary Ball Marta Naidenova Miguel Rodrigo Pérez #tech #europe #Atomico #buildingtech #techcompanies #techstartups #growth

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📣 We're on the lookout for businesses to trial our new product as we will soon begin our ⚡️Zappaty⚡️ rollout (free of course!). It's a secure file-sharing and collaboration tool made for SMEs of all shapes and sizes - whether you need to share very large files such huge complex designs and models, UHD photos or video, or you have ultra-sensitive information and content (including PII), this could be good for both of us. We already have architects, financial brokers, videographers and podcasters, engineering companies signed up to name a few. DM me or drop a 'Yes' in the comments and I can add you to this group.

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📣Calling all UK entrepreneurs! 📣 Have your say on how the budget might impact business growth and the UK entrepreneur economy. At YFM Equity Partners, we’re gathering views from entrepreneurs across the UK to get a collective view on how these upcoming changes may affect your businesses. We plan to publish the results on Monday 27th to amplify your voice across trade media and social platforms. 👉 Have your say and take our 2 minute anonymous survey here : https://lnkd.in/e3ZN_ztK Your feedback matters - help shape the future of the entrepreneur economy #TheEntrepreneurEconomy #autumnbudget #ukgrowth #businessgrowth

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As we wind down the year, let us take stock of what is happening in the UK tech investment landscape. Deal Lite just reported the weekly stats. If you have not received it in your inbox, please subscribe at https://lnkd.in/efmz5xBP UK Tech Investment News by Deal Lite - Week 337 A total of £200 Million was raised by 21 UK technology companies during the period ending 8th December 2024. Total raised this year so far is: £9.069 billion. Last year, it was £9.749 billion. 2021 was the mega year with £21.292 billion. Would 2025 be the turnaround year? With Syria falling and the conflicts accelerate, no one can predict the future. One thing is sure though. There would be more investment going into DefenceTech as alluded by Steve Blank - Steve is calling for private sector to get involved. I prefer no wars altogether but humans are complex beings who cannot live in harmony. Let's take a quick look at some of the companies who announced investment rounds last week: - Wexler raised £1.1 million Pre-Seed round led by Myriad Venture Partners. Wexler is incubated by Entrepreneur First. Gregory Mostyn is the CEO. - Jove Insurance raised £3.6 million Seed round led by Explorer. Want access to data? Subscribe https://lnkd.in/dcBH9kx Join us on 18th https://lu.ma/5se8gmqs to learn more and meet other tech founders. #DealLite #TechInvestment #funding #investment #venturecapital #seed #seriesA #preseed

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Top 9 Reasons to Invest in Wedissimo in Our LAST 7 DAYS of Crowdfunding Wedissimo is a brand new B2B2C wedding supplier marketplace. We are aiming to revolutionize the way that couples find and book wedding suppliers with a trusted and intuitive marketplace. We use geolocation and calendar synching tech so that couples can see those wedding suppliers who are available on their date and at their wedding. We started locally offering wedding photographers in London only...our vision is to offer all wedding services globally, and disrupt the $275bn wedding services market. Since launching our #crowdfunding round on Crowdcube we have been overwhelmed by the support and have now raised 180% of our initial target. Here are our top 9 reasons why you should invest before our round closes in 1 week's time: 📈 Wedissimo experienced more than 8 times growth from within our first 9 months. 👍Since launch we have amassed a social media audience of over 100k within the first year. 💎 The wedding market is huge - worth over $275bn per year globally and growing at 7% a year 🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏽 Strong founding team with founding team with experience at Google, Amazon, KPMG and a range of start-ups ✅ Backed by well known Angel Investors - including Simon Collins - ex Chair of KPMG 📃EIS - wedissimo has EIS advanced assurance, which means most investors who pay UK income tax can receive 30% of their investment back as an income tax break. 📷 We are launching a wedding photography awards with the royal photographer, Millie Pilkington 📈 Our organic search traffic has grown 199% quarter-on-quarter 🚀 We have hired a new performance marketer to light a fire under our performance marketing ahead of next season INVEST HERE 👇 https://lnkd.in/dTf4CnrU Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

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#Manchester based past SkilledUp Life tech startup customer Cytix raises £1.6 million Seed investment from Manchester based Praetura Ventures founded by David Foreman. Michael Rees well done. Limited Partner (LP) in this case is Northern Powerhouse Fund II operated by British Business Bank British Business Bank North of England Delyth Lloyd Edwards. Simon Cunnington SkilledUp Life helped Thomas Ballin and the team during the earliest stages of the tech startup when they were self-funded and bootstrapping. I also had the pleasure to mingle with Ben Armstrong at Techcelerate when they were just starting up and trying to build the first version of the product. Both Ben and Thomas stood up as a strong pair of co-founders. They came from the same industry, worked for the same boss and knew the market inside out. They knew how to innovate the market and slice a portion of the market for themselves. They also had a superb unfair advantage in addition to above. The pair was perfect to start a tech product company. Let me explain why. When you talk about building tech startups, especially at the very earliest stages, you need to two people: - Some one who can code and build - Thomas Ballin - Some one who can sell - Ben Armstrong Having been in the tech startup world for 20 years, I rarely see this ideal combination. I knew they would go places. And they had. A massive congratulations from me to Thomas, Ben and the team. My only regret was I could not convince them to join Techcelerate. 😁 Here's the story https://lnkd.in/ec7VzXp2 covered by Deal Lite. Here's the story about Pre-Seed round https://lnkd.in/eR4UQ9fi I look forward to reading the story about Series A investment not too long in the near future. Congrats all. A good day for #Manchester! 🥂 Oh, by the way, we have a ton of #cybersecurity volunteers on https://skilledup.life Here is a bunch of Manchester tech startups who are leveraging SkilledUp Life as they self-fund and bootstrap their businesses in the early stage. These companies are cash-efficient and understand how hard the journey is: - Dustid run by Michael Livingstone - Orakly run by Craig A. Taylor - also a Techcelerate member - mutuals run by eddy D. SkilledUp Life de-risked Cytix over 20 months period. SkilledUp Life is here to give a leg up to tech startups in early years. #Cytix #Cybersecurity #Manchester #TechManchester #SkilledUpLife

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Techcelerate needs following partners - M&A - Fundraising - Recruitment - Software product development - need a representative in North West We have tech companies exploring funding and IPOs. Please check our partner fees before you get too excited https://lnkd.in/dhyams3Q Please don't email thinking I need above services for Techcelerate itself. We need partners to help our Tech Founders and Tech Companies. I will be ignoring all emails that do not meet this specific need. 😀 Always research before shooting from the hip! Thank you. hashtag #IPOs #techstartups #fundraising #investments #techinvestment

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