Startup Advisory Services

Getting you ready for investors

We help founders turn a promising startup into one that investors take seriously, and then put it in front of the right ones. Our work covers three things: an honest assessment of where your company stands, practical preparation to close the gaps, and introductions to angel investors and venture capital funds from our network.

Today, anyone can produce a polished pitch deck or business plan with AI. Investors know this. What sets a company apart is evidence, a clear story that holds up under questioning, and a trusted introduction. That is where we focus.

We measure readiness using the funding stage you are targeting (pre-seed, seed or Series A) together with recognised maturity scales: Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), and commercial readiness. This gives you and your investors a shared, objective view of progress.

Each service below can be booked on its own or combined to fit your stage. Most clients start with the Investor Readiness Assessment.

Investor Readiness Assessment

A structured review of your company against what investors expect at your target stage. We score your technology, product, market, team, traction, financials and legal foundations, and show you exactly what stands between you and a successful raise.

You receive: a scored readiness report (stage, TRL, MRL and commercial readiness), a ranked list of gaps, and a 90-day action plan

Best for: founders preparing for their first or next round who want an honest outside view

Typical timeline: 2 weeks

Business Model and Market Validation

We pressure-test your idea before investors do. We review your problem, customer, pricing and competition, and help you gather real evidence such as customer interviews, pilot results and letters of intent.

You receive: a validated business model, a competitor and market summary, and a customer evidence plan

Best for: pre-seed founders and teams with a product but unclear market fit

Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks

Investor Materials Review and Refinement

You or your team draft the materials; we make them investor-grade. We review your pitch deck, executive summary, business plan and financial model for logic, realistic assumptions and the questions investors will ask.

You receive: a refined pitch deck and one-page summary, a financial model with defensible assumptions, and written feedback on every section

Best for: founders who already have drafts and need them to hold up in a meeting

Typical timeline: 2–3 weeks

Due Diligence Preparation

Many raises stall at due diligence, not at the pitch. We help you organise everything an investor will request, so the process moves quickly and builds confidence.

You receive: an organised data room, a cap table review, a checklist covering company records, IP ownership, key contracts and compliance, and a list of issues to fix before you raise

Best for: companies in active conversations with investors or about to start a round

Typical timeline: 3–6 weeks

Pitch Coaching and Mock Investor Panels

We train your founding team to present clearly and answer hard questions with confidence. Sessions finish with a realistic mock panel of experienced investors and advisors from our network.

You receive: coaching sessions, a bank of likely investor questions with prepared answers, a recorded mock panel, and written feedback

Best for: teams with upcoming investor meetings, demo days or competitions

Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks

Investor Matching and Introductions

We identify angel investors, angel groups and venture capital funds that fit your sector, stage and funding amount, and introduce you directly where there is a genuine fit.

You receive: a targeted investor list, warm introductions, support in preparing for each meeting, and follow-up tracking

Best for: companies that have completed readiness preparation and are ready to raise

Typical timeline: ongoing, usually 3–6 months per round

Grants and Non-Dilutive Funding

Government grants, research programs and tax credits can extend your runway without giving up equity. We identify programs that match your stage and readiness level and help you build a strong application.

You receive: a funding program shortlist, an application strategy, and review of your application before submission

Best for: technology and research-based companies, especially in hardware, health, clean technology and manufacturing

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks per application

Product Strategy and Technology Roadmap

We help you plan what to build, in what order, and how to move up the readiness scale efficiently. We work with your technical team or help you choose the right development partner.

You receive: a product roadmap tied to TRL/MRL milestones, a prototype or MVP plan, and guidance on build partners and budgets

Best for: founders moving from idea to prototype, or from prototype to first customers

Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks

Ongoing Advisory and Fractional Support

After your raise, we stay involved as a monthly advisor or part-time business development lead. We help you hit milestones, prepare investor updates and get ready for the next round.

You receive: regular strategy sessions, investor update reviews, milestone tracking and board meeting preparation

Best for: funded startups that want senior guidance without a full-time hire

Typical timeline: monthly, minimum 3 months

Who we work with

We work best with founders building something real and complex, where experienced guidance makes the biggest difference.

Technology and hardware startups: medical devices, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, agriculture technology and robotics
Companies in regulated industries: health, financial services, food and energy
University and research spin-outs: strong technology teams that need help with business strategy and investor communication
First-time and international founders: entrepreneurs entering a new market who need a guide and a network
Software and digital startups: at seed stage or later, seeking investor access and pitch preparation

How we work

We combine hands-on experience with modern AI tools.

AI handles research and first drafts quickly, so our time goes into judgment, review and relationships. You get faster results at a fairer price.

Introductory call (free, 30 minutes): we learn about your company, stage and funding goals
Readiness Assessment: we score where you stand and agree on priorities
Proposal: we recommend a package with a fixed scope, timeline and fee
Delivery: regular check-ins, shared documents and clear milestones
Investor stage: introductions and support through meetings and due diligence

All client information is kept confidential. We are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before the first detailed review.

To get started, contact us to book your introductory call.