Forging Links Spinout Founders: "So, you think you’re ready for investment"
Please note: The first part of this event will be for spinout founders, academics looking to commercialise their ideas and university commercialisation teams.
Members of the wider ecosystem will be invited to join from 17:30. If that is you, please register using the separate link here: Forging Links Ecosystem: "So, You think you're ready for investment" · Luma
Securing funding is one of the biggest challenges facing spinouts. Investment could be a route to gaining these funds, which will require you to be investment ready. But what does it really mean to be truly investment ready?
Attracting investors requires more than a great idea; they are looking for evidence, traction, credibility and a clear path to growth.
Join us for a practical and candid discussion exploring what investors require from spinouts looking to gain investment.
We'll cover:
What investors really look for when assessing spinout opportunities.
Common reasons promising businesses fail to secure investment.
How to develop a compelling investment story and pitch deck.
What background work you can do to prepare your strategy
What due diligence looks like from an investor's perspective.
How valuations are formed and challenged during negotiations.
What founders wish they had known before entering investment discussions.
What can I expect?
Forging Links is designed to create meaningful connections between innovators, founders, investors and the innovation ecosystem.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions, test your assumptions and build relationships that could support you as you start and scale.
Whether you're preparing for your first funding conversation or considering a larger investment round, you'll leave with practical insights, a clearer understanding of investor expectations and valuable new connections.
If investment is on your horizon, this is an opportunity to understand not just how to raise capital, but how to become the kind of business investors want to back.
Agenda
15:30-16:30: Arrival of spinout founders, entrepreneurial academics and university commercialisation team members.
Networking with tea and coffee.
Opportunity for a tour of Birmingham Health Innovation Campus and Precision Health Technologies Accelerator.
16:30-17:00: “How to be Pitch Perfect”
An interactive look at improving pitch decks.
With Jim Shirley, Founder of Funding Hero and Ivana Milic, Co-Founder and CSO at EVolution Therapeutics Ltd.
17:00-17:30: “Spinout stories of investment”
Firsthand experiences of raising and seeking investment
Featuring:
Daniel Hatfield, Director and Chairman at MatAlytics Ltd
Jonathan Jackson, CEO at Previsico Ltd
Rebecca Bignold, CEO & Founder at Fibraxis Ltd
17:30-18:15: Arrival of the Ecosystem – Networking with refreshment buffet
18:15-19:00: “The Realities of Raising Investment – How to be really ready” Panel discussion and Q&A
First-hand insights of making deals and raising investment from different parties involved in investment transactions: including spinouts with successful raising stories, investors with experience assessing spinouts and a legal expert to discuss the due diligence process.
Featuring Jonathan Jackson (Previsico), Mira Androniciuc (DSW Ventures), Nicola McConville (Mishcon de Reya) and Tony Lowe (Delta.g Ltd), chaired by Jerel Whittingham (University of Birmingham Enterprise)
19:00-19:30: Networking and close
Who should attend?
Spinout founders
University commercialisation team members
Academics exploring the commercial potential of their ideas