The Questions Investors Often Ask
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.
We work with a growing network of investors - not just individuals but syndicates, family offices and wealth managers who are looking beyond the usual routes - for great founders. Investors come to us because they’re interested in backing strong businesses from the regions. Not just that London bubble we mentioned in our last article. And naturally, they have questions.
Here are some of the ones we hear most often:
“What kind of businesses do you work with?”
We support UK-based businesses located outside London that are raising growth capital. That includes everything from manufacturing and advanced engineering, to digital tech, clean energy and dual-use defence technologies. As our founder Jim Odell often says - we’re sector-agnostic but impact-aware: this means that we look for businesses with real commercial potential, strong leadership, and the ability to create value in their region.
“What stage are they at?”
Typically post-revenue, pre-Series A – although there’s always nuance. Many are in the £1–5m turnover range, looking to raise between £500k and £5m. They often lack access to capital, advice, or the kind of strategic input that helps turn a good idea into a great business. That’s where we come in.
“How do you work with these businesses?”
Through The Regional Way - our in-house advisory service led by Tony Backhouse – we support founders in becoming truly investment-ready. That means sharpening their proposition, preparing materials, refining their financials, and helping them present with clarity and confidence. So by the time they’re in front of investors, they’re ready for proper conversations with the skill to communicate their business.
“What’s different about regional businesses?”
Value. Regional businesses tend to be capital-efficient, commercially grounded, and often flying under the radar. They’re less likely to be driven by vanity metrics, and more likely to be rooted in solving real-world problems. What they sometimes lack in polish, they make up for in value. They represent exceptional investment value because they offer better returns with lower expectations.
“How do I get involved?”
At Regionally we keep things personal and targeted. Once we know your investment criteria – stage, sector, ticket size – we’ll introduce you to relevant opportunities. No constant drip of pitch decks. Just a considered flow of pre-vetted businesses that fit what you’re looking for. You can co-invest, lead, or follow – we’re not prescriptive. But we do stay close throughout the process, supporting both sides.
“Are there EIS/SEIS-eligible deals?”
Yes – many of the businesses we work with qualify for EIS or SEIS, and we can let you know what’s eligible upfront. For investors who want to build a portfolio with tax efficiency in mind, we can certainly help identify suitable opportunities.
“Can I meet the founders?”
Absolutely. In fact, we actively encourage it. Good investing is about relationship building and alignment – not just in the numbers, but in people and purpose. We’ll facilitate meetings, make introductions, and help you get a clear sense of who’s behind the business and what makes them tick
In short…If you’re looking for high-potential UK businesses with strong leadership and real regional impact – and you’re tired of seeing the same deals circulating in the same spaces then we’d love to talk.
If you share our vision for unlocking regional potential, we’d love to hear from you.