– Be strategic about who you approach – not every investor is the right fit. Take time to understand the type of investor you need, whether that’s a VC, angel investor, family office, or joint venture. When I raised over £1 million, it was by identifying people who were actively looking to invest in our space and building real relationships from there.

– Financial clarity is non-negotiable – If you can’t explain your numbers, it’s a no. UK investors want to see that you understand your current financial position, have realistic projections (backed by data), and know your margins, burn rate, and cash flow.

– You must know your market – Investors expect you to demonstrate deep customer and market insight. That includes identifying who your ideal customer is, what specific problem you solve, and why your solution is the best in the space. You should be able to talk confidently about market size, growth potential, the competitive landscape, and any risks or trends that may affect your sector.

– Your business model must be scalable – can you scale without breaking? Investors want to see a path to expansion that doesn’t compromise quality or performance. What does scaling look like in practice? Can your operations and delivery systems keep pace? Are you building a business that can grow beyond you?

Is there anything that they should be aware of that’s specific to the UK?

Don’t overlook legal support. UK investors expect startups to be legally prepared. That means using someone who understands how this works and can draft solid agreements and align with legal requirements. Cutting corners here can lead to delays or deal-breakers down the line.