You’re a startup and you’ve just secured capital. First of all, congratulations! It might feel like you’ve just run multiple marathons. Yet, it’s probably dawned on you that you’re just getting started.

Female founders in general find it more difficult to secure investment, despite proof of their relative commercial success when compared with male counterparts. There are considerable systemic challenges which need to be addressed, and the solutions will need to be multifaceted.

In the world of venture capital and angel investing, the adage “investors invest in people, not just companies” holds a lot of truth. Investors are not just looking for a groundbreaking business idea; they are looking for a solid leader who can navigate the tumultuous journey from startup to scaleup and beyond. Most founders have an extraordinary vision. But they need to convince investors they also have the leadership, technical skillset and resilience to see it through.

Raising capital? If so, you need a strategic timeline for your media campaign. Media hits spread out over six to 12 months (or more) leading up to a cap raise is the ideal scenario, with positive stories continuing to drop even as you begin meeting with investors. Media coverage is more important than ever for startups and scaleups, with the current market for raising capital proving challenging. For tips on doing media the right way, check out the latest story in our scaleup blog series.

With climate change affecting every country on Earth, there is a global market for climate tech solutions. But when does it make the most sense for a company to seek markets or investment offshore? It’s a question Bespoken General Manager Michaela Ryan recently explored with Monty Compost Co CEO and founder Ashley Baxter, GeoNadir co-founder Paul Mead and Ashurst Global Co-Head Energy Industry Dan Brown as part of a panel at Climate Salad’s Queensland Climate Tech Showcase 2024.

You always clean your house before you invite someone over, right? The same thing goes for a company seeking capital. By the time you meet with investors, you need your company’s external-facing assets and profile to be professional, conveying your strengths and credibility. This can sometimes be the difference between landing a meeting with an investor in the first place, or missing out. Let’s delve into four marketing and PR essentials in the lead-up to a capital raise.