How to apply
Applications to the fund should be made by completing and returning the application form to seedfund@financesoutheast.com.
For enquiries about the fund please email the Fund Manager, Alexis Weber or Junior Fund Executive Bradley Jones or alternatively telephone 01276 608516.
Download the South East Seed Fund application form here
This form will be used by the fund manager to make an initial assessment wholly based on the information provided in this application form. It is therefore important that all the information critical to the assessment is included. Do not send a business plan at this stage.
Your application will be assessed within a week, if suitable for further assessment, you will then be asked to submit a complete, up-to-date and investment ready business plan prior to any meeting with the Fund Manager.
The following information should be included in any business plan submitted:
Product and Intellectual Property (IP)
- Description of the company’s product/service offering - what differentiates it and gives it competitive advantage so that it will succeed.
- Details of Intellectual Property, its features and application. (It is not assumed that IP will be the basis for every business proposition.)
- Ownership and status of patents, licences, copyrights etc.
- Pragmatic explanation of the importance of IP and its future development to the business proposition.
- For complex technology, an independent report validating the technology is generally required.
Target Market and Marketing/Sales plan
- Clearly define the target market, its characteristics, drivers and trends.
- Provide information on competitors, their relevant products/services and how the applicant company can succeed against them.
- Clearly show evidence of market need (this could include actual revenues, contracts, pilot projects, written expressions of interest from potential clients etc).
- Give a clear explanation of the revenue model and the current/proposed channels to market.
- Include the results of any market research conducted by the applicant, higher education institution or independent experts.
Management and staff
- Description of the management team members, roles and organisational structure.
- Full CVs of all key management, highlighting relevant skills and any experience of bringing new products/services to market, of building/selling businesses and of wealth creation.
- Identification of any vacant roles in the core management team and how they will be filled to execute the business plan.
- Statement of the management team’s financial and time commitment to the business.
Operational Plan
- Succinct description of how, and by whom, the business plan will be implemented, with timescales.
- The Operational Plan should serve as a commentary to explain the Financial Projections.
Financial information
- Historical financial information up to the date of the application should be provided. This should include a recent balance sheet (pro forma in the case of start-ups).
- Identify cash invested to date, the current capital/ownership structure and funding currently available.
- Clear description of the proposed sources of new funding and how it is to be used.
- Profit and loss, cash-flow and balance sheet projections, supported by detailed assumptions. They should include detailed monthly cash-flows at least to the point of sustained, positive monthly operating cash-flows. Projections should run out at least 3 years and ideally 5 years.
Investment proposal
- Clearly identify/quantify each funding stage and the proposed valuation of the business at each investment point. Include any future funding rounds beyond the current round.
- Identify potential exit routes for the investor, ideally within 3-5 years of the investment.
