Raising Your (Next) Round in 2026 - A VC Perspective

​This session is a practical, honest look at how VCs are thinking right now and what that means if you’re raising your next round.

​From a VC’s point of view, we’ll explore:

• ​What investors are prioritising in 2026

• ​How investors decide to take the first meeting

• ​How funding decisions are being made

• ​What strong vs weak fundraises look like today

• ​Common mistakes founders make and how to avoid them

​Ideal for founders planning their next raise, or wanting a sharper understanding of how VCs see the market right now.

​We have an incredible line up of top tier investors:

​Investor Panel

• ​Stephen Johnson — Investor, Mercia

• ​Shruti Iyengar — Early Stage Investor, Future Planet Capital

• ​Ashley Abhrahams — Head of Origination, Guinness Ventures

​Brought to you by:

​​Accountancy Cloud (a Xeinadin company) offers hands-on finance support to ensure your startup can grow from start-up to scale-up.

​​HSBC Innovation Banking partner with high-growth venture-backed tech and life science businesses and their investors to build banking solutions that evolve as your ambitions, needs and footprint grow.