Ladi Greenstreet

Here's a valuable whitepaper offering key insights from Industry experts. Well worth a read! Great work from our Marketing team and everyone else involved in putting this together.

6

Great session last week where we explored how UK #tech companies can make their #US expansion a success and fundraising on the other side of the Pond with fellow panelist’s Daniel Glazer, Paul Fifield and David Rose… Some of the key themes coming out from last week included: 🤔 Does the Founder team need to move across to the US to impact your US expansion? Consider the personal tax implications of team members moving to the US esp around EMI options 📍Ensure you have nailed down product market fit before you establish your US presence 🤞Establish whether you are going to have a centralised vs de-centralised model before you start to set up your US ops 🙅🏼Understand who you need to hire in the US to make the quickest impact and know the key differences and expectations of key US hires to those in the UK 🇺🇸 Choosing the right location in the US to scale your operations - East coast means you have some cross over with the UK ⁉️When do you need to create a US presence to ensure you do not fall foul of the IRS and determining whether you need a centralised or local sales operation and how transfer pricing will need to be considered 🚀 Importance of presenting a US business from day 1 to line yourself up for success with clients, staff and funders 💰When is the right time to raise US VC funding - in the words of Daniel make a decision if you’re going early vs later - don’t get caught in the middle!! Also understand the different philosophy around US VC’s as opposed to UK funds - more of an ‘all or nothing’ mentality 🇺🇸 You don’t have to raise in Valley - many US VC’s (around 60) have European office locations - ensure you have spoken to the UK offices before heading to the US 🙌 Paul gave some great reflections on not over complicating your pitch deck - you have at best a couple of minutes to make an impact and how do you ensure the VC is engaged to read your pitch doc and David reinforced the message of getting warm leads before approaching VC’s - if you cannot work out how to get a warm lead then this impacts your ability to grow a successful business in the US!!! Harsh but true… 🫶🏼We did not even get the chance to discuss one of Dan’s and my favourite topics - to ‘flip or not to flip’ that is the question?!!! Save that for another day!!! 💭 Some great insights - nobody said that US expansion was going to be easy but in the words of Mark Zuckerberg ‘The biggest risk is not taking any risks’. Cooper Parry Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Bessemer Venture Partners US Expansion Partners

65

5 Comments

Met some really interesting founders at the Rise, created by Barclays AI Breakfast session this morning 🙌 Nigel Toon (Graphcore co-founder and CEO) shared some very thought provoking yet easy to understand insights on the AI sector - thank you 🙌 Key takeaways: 😮 60 years ago, a data centre the size of the UK would be needed to do the processing of todays iPhone 🔑could Quantum computing be the key for the evolution of AI? 📈 the staggering scale of demand for processors : can the power needed keep up? ⚖️ balance and competition across an open market is vital 💡 New AI programmes that can find, replicate and even improve existing Bot products whilst you are on the commute ! #ai #innovation #startups Ian Murchie , Andrew Elia ,Dean Summers ,Myriam Hofri , Thomas Vargoczky, Luke Christoforidis

19

We all want to play our role in increasing prosperity across the UK, and I’d point you towards PwC UK's Good Growth for Cities Index which has just been published to get an in-depth understanding of where this is already happening and why. What’s clear is that success will come from collaboration, sharing innovation and strong leadership. It’s happening in many already but bringing all these efforts together will make it stronger and more sustainable. We know from our conversations with businesses as part of the Framework for Growth, that they’re ready to do more. This research we undertook with leaders from all sectors and regions highlights what they want to see and, crucially, how they’re prepared to help make a future industrial strategy a success. If properly brought into this, the scale of their ambition and commitment will be transformative. Both reports are linked from the comments section below. I'd like to know what your thoughts are on plans for an industrial strategy. #IndustrialStrategy #GoodGrowth

254

4 Comments

A great summary of what the budget means for Innovation Grants opportunities by one of our resident experts. If you'd like to talk about how grants could benefit your business get in touch!

10

Starmer and Labour’s so-called “Investment Summit” demonstrate their total lack of strategy and understanding of what it will take to make the UK economy grow. Deregulating for BlackRock and Goldman Sachs to operate more easily is a low-priority item. What’s needed is to quickly enact policies that actively support a culture of risk-taking and reward those who are willing to leave the corporate world, government, or NGO jobs to build companies that will change the world. The growth solution will be organic and from inside the country not from some “mythical” other place who decides to bestow upon the British some quick and easy solution. Keir Starmer vows to ‘rip up’ bureaucracy to aid growth at investment summit

7

This report makes a thoughtful and important contribution to the debate around net zero. My key takeaways are: ·    Public support for net zero remains strong ·    We must be pragmatic not dogmatic, carefully balancing decarbonisation and economic growth ·    Clean technologies can shift demand from fossil fuels, but needs active government involvement to de-risk investment and increase investor confidence   It reinforces our view that we must collectively focus on how we can practically accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.

126

6 Comments

Are you interested in #AI? It's worth taking a look at the Disruption Index launched today by Institute for the Future of Work and Imperial College London. This thought provoking and future focussed policy work will play a key role in ensuring AI is embedded in a responsible way - unlocking good work and growth across all corners of the UK. More below.... #responsibleAI #futureofwork #impactinvesting #worldchangingreturns

17

1 Comment

📚 In case you missed it, UKGrantmaking.org was launched last week by 360Giving! The platform consolidates and analyses data on funding across all sectors in the UK. It is interactive and accessible, offering valuable insights into grantmaking activities. Key insights: ⭕ Over 13,000 UK grantmakers distributed more than £20bn in grants during 2022-23. ⭕ The majority of grantmakers are small-scale, distributing less than £1m annually. However, 207 grantmakers distributed over £10m. ⭕ Small charities, with incomes under £1m, received the majority of grants. ⭕ Charities registered and operating solely in London received one-third of the amount given to all charities registered in London. This launch marks a significant step for the sector. We fully support the use of data in the sector, and this a great example of how data sharing enables learning, collaboration, and positive changes in funding. Visit UKGrantmaking.org to explore the data more thoroughly 📊 Happy 9th Anniversary to the 360Giving family!

45

1 Comment

Excellent use of AI to create value for customers.

2

Barclays has published thought leadership on scaling growth stage climate tech and addressing the missing middle finance gap through UK public finance institutions. Hopefully an interesting read for all and I look forward to seeing how the market can innovate overall to rise up to the challenges of financing in this space #cleantech #MissingMiddle #Barclays

32

Delivering cutting edge technology into real business life is far from simple. Join us for an evening to discuss how tech will impact businesses and how will it actually be deployed and used practically to make substantial change in how we work. We will be focusing in on #AI, showing how this technology is being used in the regulated world to transform consumer experiences today. Look forward to seeing you there.

7

Today's Kings speech is a major welcome step in driving growth in the UK. 👑👑👑👑 Some thoughts; At British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) we are pleased with the Government's approach which emphasises that private capital has an important role to play as a partner in driving growth across the UK’s nations and regions.     👨‍🦳The Pension Schemes Bill is a welcome first step in unlocking the potential for increased investment in private capital, but the Government has a big opportunity to build on work done between the private capital and pensions industries to increase investment by UK pension funds into UK businesses backed by private capital investors. So I hope this is the start of the conversation on this issue. UK savers should have access to the same opportunity to generate returns, support growing businesses and create jobs as pension savers around the world. 🚝🏠The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be vital for getting Britian growing, it is very encouraging to see the Government outline new legislation to ensure that businesses that have the capacity to expand and grow, can do so.   🔧The Industrial Strategy Council matters because investors are more likely to commit capital to the UK if they have confidence in Government’s long-term approach to the economy and have a clear understanding of strategic and sectoral priorities.   ⚡️On the announcement of a Great British Energy Bill: The creation of GB Energy is an important signal about the Government’s commitment to decarbonising the economy. But all parts of the economy need to decarbonise, and much of this responsibility will rest with SMEs - 9 out of 10 private capital investments is in SMEs. Government should support smaller businesses to make the transition through a mix of clear guidance, incentives and a clear roadmap.     📝✏️The Growth and Skills Levy is a welcome step in helping ensure our workforce is ready to meet the evolving needs of UK businesses - if this means sensible reform to the apprenticeship levy to accommodate a broader range of training.   🍃☘️🍀Private capital is going to be vital in getting Britain growing and driving the net zero transition, so the Government’s new plans for a National Wealth Fund aligning key institutions is a very encouraging step which echoes calls the BVCA has made for a long time. The Government is right to be ensuring that more capital is deployed into UK businesses by backing the British Business Bank which has the expertise to invest in the venture and growth capital funds that will grow the innovative businesses of the future. cc Michael Moore Isobel Clarke HM Treasury Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Spencer Livermore Rt Hon Darren Jones MP Tulip Siddiq James Murray Jonathan Reynolds MP Feryal Clark Department for Business and Trade Peter Kyle Juliette Gerstein James Gribben Cole Parker Patricia Sebastian Will Todd William Crisp Mia Forti Catherine Fredette Spencer Thompson Katie Martin Rhodri Thomas

36

As the UK gears up for the general election on 4th July, the airwaves are saturated with promises and pledges from all parties. But will any of these commitments truly come to fruition? The impact on UK businesses is palpable. Many are navigating an uncertain economic landscape, with policy proposals causing both anticipation and anxiety. From tax reforms to trade agreements, the promises made during this election could reshape the business environment significantly. We see many businesses claim “business asset disposal relief” when the take the decision to sell a successful business. Will that still be available in a new regime? As professionals, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared for potential changes. Will this election bring the stability and growth we need, or just more empty promises? 

5

As we sit glued to the Paris Olympics, the sports industry seems to be in rude health. But is the industry making the most of opportunities to evolve and grow? Changing media, the explosion of women's sport and what fans want. It's all here in PwC UK's Global Sports Survey. Read it now: : https://pwc.to/4fqL0Gf #PwCSports

8

Whoever wins the General Election, capital markets and investment are going to be key to delivering their priorities given little capacity in the public purse. Investment companies are the proven bridge between investors and assets such as infrastructure and renewable energy and they can play a critical role in helping the next government achieve its ambitions for economic growth. Beyond that, as a nation, we need to save and invest more, drive better returns in our pension funds and direct more of that capital towards our domestic markets (the UK ISA was one such initiative). Investment companies are a ready made, proven (over 150 years!) solution to these challenges.

10

Santander X - The best competition for entrepreneurs in the UK is back! In 2023, LastingAsset made it to the top 12 out of 1560 applicants. It was an incredible experience. But it was not getting to the top 12 that was the best part. The best part was interacting with some of the most amazing start-up founders in the country. We learnt so so much. Most VC's tend to think that start-up competitions are a waste of time. I disagree. Competitions are essential for an early stage start-up (as long as they don't become a constant distraction from the business). Competitions help you think deeply about your idea and business. By competing in a safe environment, you gear up for the reality of the business world. It is important to compete and to lose (often)... 1548 of the 1560 didn't get to the finals.. we didn't win either... But I am almost certain that every single one of the applicants gained from the experience. Don't like pitching??? Then the one thing you must do is give yourself as many opportunities to pitch and keep putting yourself outside your comfort zone.. Keep stumbling... keep falling.... don't fear failing.. just keep picking yourself up after every setback .... Resilience is the key to succeeding as a start-up founder.... If you want to change the world... get ready to be a gladiator and get out there and compete. If you dream of changing the world - apply to Santander X Well done Santander, Mike Regnier, and Santander UK Universities for supporting the start-up ecosystem in the UK. Louise Fairleigh, Jonathan Powell #startups #entrepreneurship #SXUK24 #innovation

11

1 Comment

For anyone interested in investing into EIS / SEIS opportunities, you might be interested in our guide

7