The flexible founder you need early on.
I'm Ben. I work as a fractional COO/CEO with climate and sustainability startups, from idea to seed. I help you raise money, build a product worth backing, and clear the admin out of the way, so you can focus on the parts you do best and miss out the parts you don't need to master.
Is this you?
You're building a climate or sustainability business, and you're somewhere between an idea and a seed round.
- Idea
- Pre-seed
- Seed
- Raising Series A
- Series A closed
- You need money, but you don't know who best to ask, how, or what to negotiate?
- You're struggling to decide what to build first and for who? Or (much) worse...
- You're building everything for everyone on day 1?
- You don't know what set up work to anticipate, prioritise, or delegate? Or how to do it?
- You're struggling to work efficiently enough to hold onto wins and progress?
Recognise some of these?
Book a callWhat I do
You may focus on my ability to raise money, but investors back fundamentals: a product people want, and evidence that it can grow. So that is where I start.
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1
A methodical path to product / market fit
We all get a little too close to our ideas, so a good critical friend at this stage is invaluable. I'll help you be ruthlessly focused and objective, so you build the evidence and choose the path that makes you investable.
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2
Remove the admin noise
I tame the admin: cap tables, S/EIS, options, hiring, accounts and R&D tax credits. Either I help get you on the right course or take it off you.
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3
Fundraise (which is now easier)
With the fundamentals in place, I help you work out what the business needs, find the right investors, sell the story and negotiate the terms.
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4
Keep the wheels turning
I can also help with everything else, e.g. team dynamics, goal setting and tracking. Plus lots on the sustainability snakes and ladders.
Who am I?
When I was a startup CEO, there were moments when an experienced pair of hands beside me would have changed things. That is the role I want to play.
I've started five businesses, all with a sustainability purpose, including Farmdrop, Dizzie, The Crowd and Annwn. Between them they raised over £40m and employed more than 300 people. At Dizzie we grew monthly revenue from £10k to £450k in a year.
What have I learned along the way?
More on LinkedInI write about it on LinkedIn. The first two pieces:
How do we work together?
Flexibly, from a day a week to a concentrated burst before a raise. The further ahead you commit, the more I can ringfence the time.
A significant discount on all work done before June 2027 for my first 3 clients.
What do others say?
“Ben's ability to assimilate quickly and identify the strategic heart of a moment is second to none.”
“Ben's tenacity and objectivity gave us the confidence to back him.”