Significant fundraise – A CFO’s insights

During this video, experienced finance leader and deal specialist Nick Ellwood shares top tips regarding a Series B fundraise.

Note that most of these points apply to all fundraises throughout your life cycle.

Finance leaders should perform the following activities to help maximise your chances of delivering a smooth deal process:

• Start planning 12 months in advance of an anticipated deal;
• It will take at least 3-6 months to properly prepare;
• Ensure that your team can cover business as usual;
• Control the flow of information in order to control the deal process;
• Provide high quality information throughout;
• Build a flexible financial model which can survive rapid interrogation;
• Involve the most experienced stakeholders within your business;
• Prepare thorough analysis to show that you are in control;
• Manage expectations for anything that is not currently available;
• Ensure that your information fully supports your investment story;
• Check that your budgets are achievable to avoid any shortfalls during a live process; and
• Create a detailed plan for how to layout and populate your data room.

In summary, early planning can make a huge impact on your deal process and it is important to surround yourself with people who have relevant experience wherever possible.