Fractional Finance Director Newsletter – July 2025

How to Present Your Business to Funders

I’m excited to share that I’ll be hosting an event in partnership with Pro-Manchester on 29 July, focusing on a topic that’s pivotal for many business owners: how to present your business to funders.

In my role as a Fractional Finance Director, I regularly support businesses as they seek funding. For many clients, it’s their first experience, or the first in quite some time and understandably, there’s often uncertainty about what funders are truly looking for and how to maximise their chances of success.

One of my guiding principles is simplicity. As Einstein once said:

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

To help business leaders navigate the funding journey with confidence, I’ve developed a practical, five-part model that underpins my approach:

1. The Story

Why does the business exist?

What problem does it solve?

Why is it uniquely positioned to solve it?

2. The Team

Who are they?

What strengths do they bring?

3. The Market

Who are the competitors?

What’s changing in the landscape?

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead?

4. The Plan

What is the business aiming to do differently?

Why is funding needed?

How will the plan be delivered?

How much funding is required, how will it be used, and how will it be repaid?

5. The Numbers

What are the projected trading results?

How much cash is required?

What happens if things don’t go exactly to plan?

I’ll be joined by Mike Carter of Vistage as we explore this framework in more detail. Whether you’re preparing for your first funding round or just want a solid refresher, this event will offer practical insights you can apply straight away.

I’d love to see you there.

Funding Ready: How to Present Your Business to Investors – pro-manchester