Exciting Funding Boost: Dorset LEP & Focused For Business Team Up

Dorset LEP & Focused for Business: Startup Funding Boost

If you’re a startup or small business in Dorset looking to raise investment, help is at hand! Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Focused For Business have joined forces on an exciting initiative to help Dorset-based businesses secure vital funding to grow their businesses.

Dorset LEP has agreed to generously fund two-thirds of the cost for eligible local businesses to join Focused For Business’ renowned Funding Accelerator programme. This means more Dorset companies can access excellent advice and support in their journey to securing investment for their business.

A Limited Window of Opportunity

But you’ll need to act fast – funded places on the Accelerator are limited. Dorset LEP will sponsor a total of 10 businesses on a first come, first served basis. Subject to eligibility and availability, it is anticipated that 5 businesses will be invited to participate in the September 2024 cohort, and another 5 in the January 2025 intake.

By heavily subsidising two-thirds of the £3,000 programme fee per business, this initiative makes the Funding Accelerator programme much more accessible to early-stage businesses. Successful applicants will only need to cover the remaining £1,000 + VAT themselves.

Getting Investment for Your Business: A Powerful Accelerator

Focused For Business’ flagship Funding Accelerator is a proven programme that supports startups and businesses in securing equity investment in just 90 days. The programme is designed for businesses raising their first or second round of equity funding, and who are typically looking to raise between £100,000 and £1 million.

Over three one-month sprints, Funding Accelerator equips companies with everything they need to run an effective funding campaign:

Preparing and gaining feedback on all their investment documents (including pitch, financial forecast and valuation)
Developing and running a funding campaign (including identifying the right investors, providing an investor “hit list” and pitching to investors)
Selecting investors, negotiating the terms based on evidence and banking the cash!

To be eligible to join Funding Accelerator businesses need to have developed a product or service and have either launched, or be about to launch, this. It isn’t always necessary for the business to be revenue generating, or to be profitable. However, the business owners must be willing to sell equity (shares) in their business in exchange for investors’ cash.

Funding Accelerator’s results speak for themselves – 50% of Funding Accelerator participants have successfully raised investment, over £22 million has been raised by graduates of the programme and over £10 million in funding was raised in 2023, despite the challenging market conditions.

Levelling the Playing Field

Let’s face it – all the research shows – when it comes to getting investment for startups, businesses based outside of London can face an uphill battle. But this partnership between Dorset LEP and Focused For Business is a fantastic step towards levelling that playing field for Dorset entrepreneurs.

“This partnership with Dorset LEP represents an amazing opportunity for local startups and businesses to access top-tier investment readiness support,” said Hatty Fawcett, Founder of Focused For Business. “We’re thrilled to be working together with Dorset LEP to open more doors for Dorset’s entrepreneurial talent, so they get the investment their businesses need.

Shelley Collins-Trevett, Dorset LEP added:

This partnership with Dorset LEP represents an amazing opportunity for local startups and businesses to access top-tier investment readiness support,” said Hatty Fawcett, Founder of Focused For Business. “We’re thrilled to be working together with Dorset LEP to open more doors for Dorset’s entrepreneurial talent, so they get the investment their businesses need.

Take the Next Step

Does this sound like the funding boost your business needs to reach its next set of milestones? Join the free, online Funding Strategy Workshop to see if your business is eligible for this subsidy, and kickstart your investment journey today.

Dorset LEP & Funding Accelerator Partnership

Who is eligible for the subsidised Funding Accelerator places?

The subsidy is available to Dorset-based startups and small businesses that have developed a product or service and are either launched or about to launch. Businesses must also be open to selling equity in exchange for investment.

How much does it cost to join with the Dorset LEP subsidy?

The full cost of Funding Accelerator is £3,000 + VAT. Dorset LEP is covering two-thirds of this, meaning successful applicants only pay £1,000 + VAT.

How many subsidised places are available?

There are 10 subsidised places in total, allocated on a first come, first served basis. Five will join the September 2024 cohort and five will join the January 2025 intake.

What support does the Funding Accelerator programme provide?

The programme helps businesses prepare investment documents, identify and approach investors, pitch effectively, and negotiate terms. It is designed to support startups in raising between £100,000 and £1 million.

Do I need to be revenue-generating to apply?

Not necessarily. While some participants are generating revenue, it isn’t a requirement. The key eligibility criteria are having a developed product or service and being willing to raise equity investment.

How successful is Funding Accelerator?

To date, 50% of participants have successfully raised investment, with over £22 million raised in total. In 2023 alone, over £10 million was raised despite difficult market conditions.

How can I apply for a subsidised place?

Startups can apply by first joining a free online Funding Strategy Workshop, where eligibility is assessed, and next steps are outlined.

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Hatty Fawcett

CEO & Founder at Focused For Business

Hatty is the founder of Focused For Business, and has a wealth of experience in growing startups and securing early-stage equity investment for startups. Hatty had a 15-year career in marketing before completing an MBA at Imperial College and working in a succession of startups. She raised over £250,000 for her own startup and also managing some of the investments former Dragon’s Den star Kelly Hoppen made when she appeared on the TV show. Hatty’s dual perspective, both as a founder who has secured investment and as a coach and advisor to startups raising investment, gives her a unique perspective which she uses to demystify the investment process and empower entrepreneurs. Her dedication to levelling the playing field in equity investment caused her to create the Funding Accelerator programme and has earned her the title of Adviser of the Year twice in 2022 and 2024 from Enterprise Nation. She was also a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2023.

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