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Bagging Your First Investment: Raising Funds from Connections, Angels & More

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About this event

What to expect

Navigating the fundraising landscape can feel overwhelming for early-stage tech founders, but this final workshop in Business Sheffield's TechForge Accelerator series breaks down exactly what you need to know to secure your first investment. Whether you're seeking £5,000 to validate your MVP or £500,000 to scale your software startup, this three-hour intensive workshop demystifies the funding options available to technology founders in Sheffield and beyond.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is tailored for technology-centred startup founders at the early stages of their journey. You might be working on an idea, developing a prototype or MVP, or have just started initial trading. If you've hit the point where external capital is needed to move forward, this session will equip you with the knowledge to pursue the right funding path.

What You'll Learn

Led by one of Business Sheffield's highly experienced Tech Scale-Up Advisors, the workshop provides a comprehensive tour of funding mechanisms including:

  • Debt financing – understanding when borrowing makes sense for your business
  • Equity investment – selling shares strategically while maintaining control
  • Crowdfunding – leveraging public support to validate and fund your idea
  • Angel investment – what angels look for and how to approach them
  • Investment readiness – preparing your pitch, financials, and business case

The session goes deep on equity investment specifically, covering the practical steps and considerations you'll need to successfully close your first deal. You'll learn what investors expect, how to structure deals, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Event Format

The three-hour workshop balances structured learning with networking opportunities:

  • 9:30-10:00 – Arrival and networking with fellow tech founders
  • 10:00-11:15 – First session covering funding landscape and options
  • 11:15-11:30 – Break
  • 11:30-12:30 – Second session focused on equity investment mechanics

You can attend this standalone session or combine it with other workshops in the five-part TechForge Accelerator series covering topics from side hustle to startup, grants and accelerators, monetisation strategies, and MVP development.

About TechForge Accelerator

The TechForge Accelerator is Business Sheffield's flagship support programme for software and technology startups. Each in-person workshop runs just over two hours with dedica

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