Catalyst Event: Funding Your Business. Choose the Right Investment Path

📅 Date: 12th November 2026

🕰️ Time: 10am

📍 Location: NatWest Accelerator, 3rd Floor, 2 Whitehall Quay, Leeds, LS1 4HR

📝 Event Description:

Raising investment isn't just about finding funding. It's about finding the right funding for your business, at the right time, and understanding what investors expect in return.

Many founders begin exploring fundraising without fully understanding the different funding routes available, the motivations of various investors, or what makes a business attractive to potential backers. This can lead to wasted time, unrealistic expectations, and missed opportunities.

This practical and insightful workshop will help founders understand how to navigate the funding landscape by exploring the different types of funding available at each stage of business growth and the reasons why different investors invest. From angel investors and venture capital to alternative funding routes, attendees will gain clarity on which options may be best suited to their business and future ambitions.

The session will break down key investor expectations and the principles that drive investment decisions, including topics such as growth potential, scalability, unit economics, risk, return expectations, and the Power Law that underpins venture capital investing. Founders will gain valuable insight into how investors evaluate opportunities and why certain businesses are better suited to different funding routes.

The workshop will also explore common fundraising mistakes, how to avoid them, and the practical steps entrepreneurs can take today to build a more investable business in the future. Whether you are actively raising investment, considering funding options, or simply planning ahead, this session will provide a strong foundation for future fundraising success.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what type of funding is right for their business, what investors are really looking for, and how to prepare effectively for a future raise, whether that's six months or several years away.

Key takeaway: Successful fundraising starts long before you ask for investment. Understanding investor expectations, choosing the right funding route, and preparing your business early can significantly improve your chances of raising the right capital at the right time.

Speaker Bio

Charlotte Scott is the founder of Roast My Pitch, an investment readiness platform that helps founders become more fundable, communicate their vision effectively, and navigate the fundraising journey with confidence.

Having worked with hundreds of early-stage and growth businesses, Charlotte helps entrepreneurs understand what investors are looking for, identify weaknesses before they become barriers to investment, and build stronger fundraising strategies. Through practical guidance and honest feedback, she supports founders to improve their investment readiness and maximise their chances of securing the right funding for their business.

Learn more at Roast My Pitch.

📚 What to Expect:

Practical insights into the different types of funding available to growing businesses.

A behind-the-scenes look at how investors assess opportunities.

Real-world fundraising lessons and common mistakes to avoid.

Clear guidance on preparing your business for future investment.

Opportunities to connect with ambitious founders on similar growth journeys.

👥 Why Attend:

Understand which funding routes are best suited to your business stage.

Learn what different investors expect and why.

Avoid common fundraising mistakes that can delay investment.

Discover how to build an investment-ready business.

Increase your confidence when planning future fundraising activity.

Connect with founders who are navigating similar growth challenges.

🗣️ Our Guest Speaker:

Charlotte Scott - Roast My Pitch

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