The importance of timing when securing investment.
Founded by a team of industry veterans— Jim Odell, Justin Urquhart Stewart, Paul Newsham, Martin Taylor, Michael Mcdowell, and Tony Backhouse—Regionally Ventures is committed to bridging the funding gap for high-growth regional businesses across the UK. With 70p of every £1 traditionally invested in London, regional businesses represent a valuable, yet often overlooked, segment of the market.
A recurring theme from those who come to us looking for investment is that many have left it too late. We’ve seen time and again how businesses struggle when they’re not properly prepared, so our message is simple: plan early and avoid scrambling for capital when you need it the most.
Business owners tend to focus on keeping things running day-to-day, often delaying their search for growth funding until they think they absolutely need it. By then, they can be in a tight spot.
As Regionally CEO Jim Odell says;
“Most investors aren’t in a hurry to invest. Whereas most business owners that we meet need the cash now. It’s much better to come to us before you actually need the money.”We encourage businesses to seek investment before the pressure mounts. If you have a solid plan, your chances of securing the right funding earlier are much higher, and the terms are often better. As Jim adds;
“We recently worked with a founder whose business had to accept an unwanted takeover because they left it too late to raise the capital. As we always say, a well-prepared business considerably improves its odds of investment success.”The Reality of Due Diligence
As you can imagine, investors don’t give away their money easily, and due diligence can be a lengthy process. Businesses seeking funding are often surprised by how long it takes - you could be looking at months rather than weeks! While investees may want capital as soon as possible, thorough assessments are necessary to ensure investments are sound. Preparing early means businesses aren’t left in a time crunch, waiting for decisions that could take longer than anticipated.
Supporting Growth, Not Just Funding
One of the biggest pitfalls for small businesses is spending too much time chasing investment rather than focusing on growth. As Jim says;
“If you’re working with us, we can take a lot of that off your plate. You can keep doing what you do best—running and building the business—while we provide the additional support and secure the capital. That’s a much more effective way of doing it.”This is where The Regionally Way can also come in—Our advisory services don’t just help businesses secure investment; they ensure you're fully prepared to make the most of it. Led by Tony Backhouse, Head of Advisory Services at Regionally Ventures, our approach ensures companies are structured and ready to make the most of funding when it comes.
We often find businesses seeking capital aren’t actually ready to use it effectively. In fact most businesses we see aren’t ready to use the capital they think they need. This is why early preparation is crucial. Focusing on growth and readiness from the start allows you to capitalise on opportunities as they arise, without the frantic rush to secure funding.
Improve Your Chance of Success
The sad reality is that not every business will succeed—in fact, around 20% of UK startups fail within their first year. But with the right planning, guidance, and support, you can significantly improve your chances. We specialise in identifying businesses with high growth potential and providing them with both the capital and the strategic advice needed to make the most of it.
Regionally Ventures works with you to ensure that your business is not only investment-ready but positioned for sustainable growth. We will guide you through key areas, such as refining your pitch, strengthening your financials, and ensuring your long-term strategy is robust. By engaging with us early, you can make sure you're in the best possible shape to attract and secure the right investment. Fast.
Get in touch if you’d like to know more.