How to Find Business Angel Investors in the UK (2025 Guide)
Summary Angels bridge the gap between early proof and institutional rounds in the UK. You may not yet have revenue, but when approaching potential Angel investors, you should leverage early signs of proof e.g. users, signed pilots, or letters of intent to build conviction. This guide explains how to focus your preparation and search for […]
The UK Venture Capital Landscape: A Deep Dive & Cautionary Tale
“Money comes here and stays here because it can go if it wants to go” John James Cowperthwaite, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1961 to 1971. The UK venture capital ecosystem is Europe’s largest and the world’s second-largest outside China. With mature fund managers, a track record of returns, and world-class universities generating breakthroughs […]
UK Companies Planning US Expansion: What is Our Data Showing?
UK Tech Companies Look West The United States has long been a magnet for ambitious UK businesses seeking international growth. But in an era of shifting political landscapes and evolving trade policies, does this transatlantic pull remain as strong as ever? Using data from our free investment search engine, we have been analysing the expansion […]
How Founders Can Find the Right Investors Using shipshape.vc: A Complete Guide
Finding the right investors for your startup can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Traditional investor lists quickly become outdated, and manual research consumes precious time that founders should spend building their businesses. That’s where shipshape.vc comes in—a free investor search engine designed specifically for founders who need to identify relevant investors […]
Private Equity Investors: A Deep Dive for Founders
Following up on our recent overview of investor types, today we examine examine private equity investors. For founders considering different investor types, private equity represents a distinct category with unique characteristics, timelines, and implications for your business. Understanding how private equity firms operate and what they bring to the table is crucial when evaluating funding […]
What Does a Lead Investor Do? And Why Are They Important?
What does a lead investor do? A lead investor is the primary investor in a funding round who takes responsibility for due diligence and coordinates the investment process. They act as an umbrella for other investors, leveraging their expertise to help de-risk the opportunity and provide confidence to follow-on participants. When do lead investors get […]
Using Emerging Company Intent Data to Improve Business Retention and Expansion
How Economic Development Organisations can identify and support growing businesses at the right time About shipshape.vc shipshape.vc is an investment search engine that helps entrepreneurs identify relevant investors for their companies. The platform enables founders to search for funds and investors globally based on their specific domain. This potentially reduces research time that might otherwise […]
Investor Types: A Brief Guide for Founders
Why Understanding Investor Types Matters for Startup Success Understanding the different types of investors is crucial for startup founders navigating their funding journey. Each type brings different characteristics, expectations, and value propositions that founders need to carefully consider. Here’s our guide to some of the investor types you are most likely to encounter as a […]
Angel Investors: A Deep Dive
Following up on our recent overview of investor types, today we examine Angel investors. For founders looking to scale with professional investment, Angels represent a crucial funding source combining capital with expertise and industry connections. Who Are Angel Investors Angels typically include high net worth individuals, successful entrepreneurs who have exited their companies, and wealthy […]
Friends and Family Investors: A Deep Dive
Following up on our recent overview of investor types, today we examine friends and family investors. Friends and family often represent entrepreneurs’ first source of funding. These investors occupy a unique position in the startup ecosystem, offering distinct advantages and important considerations. Understanding Friends and Family Investors Friends and family investors are typically not professional […]