It was so much fun to host and chair the KPMG UK ‘Flip the Script’ event during #GlasgowTechWeek yesterday.
With a packed room of founders, we kicked off with Sarah Abrahams from KPMG | Acceleris sharing her view on VC trends and insights. Sarah commented that green shoots for early-stage funding are beginning to show again, with healthier deal volumes and opportunities for start-ups. But of these deals taking shape, they are certainly taking longer to complete than even just two short years ago.
Our panel – David Milroy Anne Muir, Patricia El-Jichi, CFA and Duncan Thorburn then kindly shared insights on their strategy, approach in market, what they look for, and how they help founders and their businesses. Their key takeaways from the panel session were:
💰 "Financial modelling is critical. Spend money on getting a good financial model produced - one that is neither too simple nor too complex."
📑 "Remember, it's a sales process. Start early, get to know your investors and have a strong story."
🤼 "Understand who your investors are. How can they support you? Can you work together in challenging times?"
⏲ "Before you even begin thinking funding pitches, research your investors. Who do they invest in? Why? Don’t waste your time - or theirs!"
It was brilliant to have so many founders in one place, the fact that people arrived early, and left late, was affirming that we delivered something relevant to the community! Huge thanks to the panellists, audience, and all the KPMG ‘behind the scenes’ people for making this run smoothly.
If you attended please let me know your thoughts, what were your key take-aways?
#KPMGintheUK #KPMGinScotland #investment #venturecapital
Alisdair Gunn Hayley Skinner Gemma Carpenter
James Kergon Nabela Ahmed Michael Kindness Fiona Robertson CA Gail Ball Vishal Chopra Susan Dunlop
