Venturefest South: From Vision to Venture: The Do’s and Don’ts of Raising Capital - PAST EVENT - BM Insights

The Do's and Don'ts of Raising Capital

This event was part of the Venturefest South (VFS) Rumble Business Growth Series, and was at the Network eagle lab in Southampton on 16 July 2025.

We had a candid and practical look at what it really takes to secure investment for your growing business — what works, what fails, and what to absolutely avoid.

Keynote Speaker: Daniel Sawko, CEO and Co-Founder of Shipshape VC, kicked things off with sharp insights on current funding trends, investor expectations, and how to stand out in today’s competitive landscape.

Investor Horror Stories: Daniel Sawko from Shipshape VC and Richard Lee from Innovators Uncensored shared real-life fundraising disasters and missteps, giving you the inside track on what NOT to do.

Expert Panel Discussion: A dynamic panel featuring specialists in finance, law, and intellectual property unpacked the essential do’s and don’ts of preparing for investment – from structuring your deal and protecting your IP, to avoiding legal traps and making your business truly investor-ready. The panel also included Sam Simpson, a serial Angel Investor who has deployed over £1 million of his own cash into early-stage Start-Ups.