Stage 1: Onboarding – We will send you an introduction form to tell us about your organisation and proposal. We will also need to see proven revenue streams to support your proposal. If we agree that you are in alignment with us and there is potential for investment, we will progress to the next stage.

Stage 2: Leadership, staff and business plan – This is where we ask for a lot of detail, to get into the nitty-gritty of your organisation and proposal. We look for experience, good governance, skillsets and leadership in executing your proposal, and we strongly prefer teams with more than one director. We will need to see annual accounts, management accounts, business plan, financial model, any legal permissions you need, market research, sales contracts, invoicing and any information that supports the proposal.

Stage 3: Independent review – Our Bristol-based Independent Advisory committee takes a detailed look at your proposal through the lens of the investment paper prepared by our team as a distillation of Stage 2. If they agree that investment is a good idea, we progress to the next stage. If not, we can go back to step 2. They may also request amendments or special conditions.

Stage 4: Independent decision – Financial Conduct Authority approval: This is where we seek final approval for the proposal. By this time, we believe it is fully shaped for investment. However, the FCA investment committee has the final say.

Stage 5: Investment offer and legals – If stage 4 produced an approval, we will issue Heads of Terms and begin drawing up the legal agreements. There is usually some negotiation at this stage and fulfilment of any preconditions.

Stage 6: Drawdown – The investment agreed at stage 5 can now be drawn down as you begin delivering your proposal. We will ask for periodic reports on your financial and impact information. We will stay in touch as your investment partner.