Every startup deserves equal access to funding

Why Every Startup Deserves Equal Access to Funding

Capital Pilot: Removing bias from the funding process, improving access to funding for all.

Our partner, Capital Pilot, is removing bias from the funding process to improve access to funding for all

Let’s face it, raising equity investment is hard. All the statistics confirm how hard it can be for startups to access funding.

The numbers get worse if you happen to be a female founder, a founder from an ethnically diverse background or a startup that is based outside of London and the South-East.

Our partner, Capital Pilot, the Startup Investability Ratings Agency, is starting to change that. Three independent assessors look at each startup assessment submitted to Capital Pilot, and individually score the startup. Their scores are then amalgamated to give an overall assessment of how investable the startup is. The detailed 24 page report that is generated is full of positive feedback on progress made and useful insight on where to focus next.

A Capital Pilot assessment has long been a key step on the road to funding on the Funding Accelerator programme. Raising investment is time-consuming so it is important to know your likelihood of success before you launch a funding round.

With the launch of their first Boost Fund, a strong Capital Pilot Investability Rating has also provided access to funding, and could unlock an immediate investment of £50K for an eligible startup.

We’re delighted to report that, based on the investments made by the first fund, Capital Pilot is also starting to remove bias from the investment process to improve access to funding for all.

Of the investments from Capital Pilot’s first Boost Fund:

50% of investments went to female founders
40% of investments went to startups based outside of London
30% of investments went to ethnically diverse founders.

To score a strong investability rating and access Capital Pilot’s Boost Fund, you need to provide a comprehensive long-from pitch deck, a credible financial forecast and a realistic valuation.

Sprint One of Funding Accelerator supports you in preparing exactly what you need to apply to Capital Pilot. During the 4 week programme we show you the level of detail needed in your pitch deck, give you a financial forecast template the Capital Pilot assessors love, give you tools to reach a credible valuation and provide you with 1:1 feedback from our expert mentors. We’ll even pay your Capital Pilot application fee. We have a strong track record of supporting founders in accessing a high enough score to receive funding too. We had a 50% success rate in supporting founders in accessing funding from the first Boost Fund.

Once you are fully prepared, it takes less than 30 minutes to complete an application for an Investability Rating. You’ll receive a detailed report giving feedback on your startup within 7 days and, based on your rating, you will be told immediately if you qualify for investment. Funds are transferred immediately on completion of a simple advance subscription agreement (ASA).

For startups that don’t make the grade initially the report provides clear guidance on the areas to focus on and, once addressed, startups can reapply to the Fund.

If you are unsure whether your startup is ready for investment take the Startup Investment Scorecard or attend a free Funding Strategy Workshop to gain advice on how to prepare for a funding round.

FAQs

What is Capital Pilot and how does it help startups secure funding?

Capital Pilot is the Startup Investability Ratings Agency. It provides an independent assessment of how investable your startup is, removing bias from the funding process. The rating not only highlights areas to improve but can also unlock direct investment through Capital Pilot’s Boost Fund.

How does Capital Pilot’s Investability Rating work?

Each application is reviewed by three independent assessors who individually score the business. Their scores are combined to give an overall rating, supported by a detailed 24-page report with feedback and next steps. This rating helps founders understand their chances of success before starting a funding round.

What is the Capital Pilot Boost Fund and who can apply?

The Boost Fund provides eligible startups with an immediate investment of £50,000 if they achieve a strong Investability Rating. Applications are open to startups that submit a comprehensive pitch deck, credible financial forecast, and realistic valuation.

How can founders from underrepresented backgrounds access startup funding?

Capital Pilot is helping to improve access by reducing bias in the investment process. In the first Boost Fund, 50% of investments went to female founders, 40% to startups outside London, and 30% to ethnically diverse founders.

What do you need to prepare for a Capital Pilot application?

To achieve a strong score, startups need a detailed long-form pitch deck, a credible financial forecast, and a realistic valuation. Funding Accelerator’s Sprint One programme provides templates, expert feedback, and covers the Capital Pilot application fee to help founders prepare.

How long does it take to get a Capital Pilot Investability Rating?

Once an application is submitted, it takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Startups receive a detailed feedback report within 7 days and are told immediately if they qualify for investment.

What happens if my startup doesn’t qualify for funding through Capital Pilot?

If a business doesn’t achieve the required score, the report includes clear guidance on where to improve. Founders can then reapply once changes have been made.

How does Funding Accelerator support startups applying to Capital Pilot?

Funding Accelerator helps founders prepare the pitch deck, forecast, and valuation needed to apply. Participants also receive one-to-one mentoring, tools to strengthen their application, and support in securing a qualifying score.

Author
Recent Posts

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.

Latest Blog & News

New UK-wide initiative ‘Breakthrough Founders’ launched to support entrepreneurs from overlooked groups

A new, outcomes-focused initiative will support 150 startups led by entrepreneurs from traditionally overlooked groups across the UK to raise investment and scale. Launched

Preparing to Exit Your Startup: Essential Legal Advice for Startup Founders and Entrepreneurs

Exiting your business is a big moment. It usually marks the end of a long journey, building your startup from the early days to

Overcome The Impossible: How To Secure Investment For Your Startup

If you’re struggling to secure investment for your startup, you’re not alone. Many founders find the process overwhelming, especially when you are raising investment

This Is Why A Business Exit Strategy Actually Attracts Investors

Have you ever wondered why investors are so focused on exits? You’re pitching your vision, your passion, your drive, and they’re asking, “How do

How To Build Investor Relationships Before You Need Equity Investment

Build Investor Relationships Before Your Startup Needs Funding When it comes to securing investment for your business, timing is everything. But here’s the kicker,

How To Make A Pitch Deck That Attracts Investors

Let’s talk about your pitch deck. Every founder knows they need one if they want to raise equity investment. Most founders have probably created

Part 1 – Financial Forecasting For Startups: How Much Money Do I Need?

Financial Forecasting Part 1: How Much Funding Does Your Startup Need? One of the first questions you need to answer if you are raising

How To Value A Small Business To Get Investors Excited

Raising investment can be challenging. The preparation, pitching, and negotiation is a time-consuming process, and can distract founders from their primary goal: Growing their

Resilience training: 6 Proven Hacks to Boost Resilience When Fundraising

Jennifer Clamp, founder of Aata, and one of our trusted mentors on our Funding Accelerator programme, recently led a resilience training workshop on how

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

8 Practical And Eye-opening Tips For Actually Finding Investors

8 Practical Tips to Help Startups Find Investors Last month we tried something new in Funding Masterminds: an Idea Swap workshop, where our founders

Why Your Executive Summary Is So Important for Startups

How to Write a Startup Executive Summary That Wins Investors The Moment Founders Get Wrong You’ve spent weeks polishing your pitch deck. You send

Looking For Funding? Here’s Your Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Startup Investors

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Investors for Your Startup Starting a business is exhilarating, but securing the startup funding to fuel your dreams can be

3 Essential Things to Include in Your Startup Financial Forecast

3 Essential Things to Include in Your Startup Financial Forecast Much like brewing a delicious cup of coffee, a compelling financial forecast for investors

3 Unit Metrics You Need To Build A Compelling Growth Story

3 Unit Metrics That Will Attract Investors to Your Startup Did the conversation with potential investors fizzle out at the financial stage? It’s not

Traction makes it quicker to raise funding for a startup

So you want to raise funding for a startup? To succeed, you’ll need to speak the language of investors. Investors will ask “how much

How to negotiate sales contracts when you’re the “small fish”

Winning a contract with a large organisation can transform a small company’s credibility and revenue. It can also feel uneven. You face templated terms,

Building a co-founder brand that investors believe in

Most startups over-index on the solo founder story. Investors, however, scrutinise the founder partnership. They know co-founder dynamics can make or break a startup,

How to make your financial model investor-ready (what founders get wrong and how to fix it)

Raising capital without a credible financial model is like pitching a journey without a map. Investors don’t expect your forecast to be perfect but

Should you offer a free trial in your B2B sales process?

“Should we offer a free trial?” is one of the most common and divisive questions founders ask. Trials can remove friction, create urgency to

How Pre-Revenue Startups Can Win Investor Attention

What investors look for before revenue When there’s no revenue to prove demand, investors look for other signals that your idea is worth backing.

Navigating Startup Grants: Opportunities, Risks and Realities

Securing funding is one of the most pressing challenges for early-stage companies. While equity funding often grabs the spotlight, grant funding for startups is