West Midlands business accelerator offers chance to win game-changing £1m investment

EIGHT businesses are offered the chance to win a game-changing investment of up to £1 million, via a West Midlands accelerator scheme.

The FundingHero team are launching their third fundraising accelerator cohort in January, via Midven, the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund manager.

The aim is to support eight high-growth potential businesses by helping them win equity investment.

The accelerator programme is led by an experienced chief financial officer who has twice been part of successful scaleup-to-exit journeys.

Tailored financial and fundraising strategies guide businesses through the complex fundraising process, boosting their chances of success.

FundingHero has supported businesses such as Birmingham-based 3D printing business ChangeMaker3D  co-founded by Natalie Wadley, a recent finalist in the prestigious One To Win £1 million investment competition at West Midlands tech organisation TechWM, supported by Midven, Haatch and Rigby Group.

Previous cohort candidates have secured interest for more than £1 million venture capital term sheets, after completing the programme.

At the end of this upcoming cohort, Midven’s investment team will attend FundingHero’s demo day where each participating business pitches at The Shard in London for a term sheet of up to £1 million.

Rupert Lyle, Fund Principal for the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, said, "One of the issues we commonly see with high-growth potential businesses that approach us is they often struggle to create a compelling equity story, making it hard for us to see how we can achieve a return on investment.

"The FundingHero fundraising accelerator is proving to tackle this and be a key programme for the region's high-growth potential businesses, which we're thrilled to support, as they have already helped us identify several exciting West Midlands-based businesses we’re keen to back."

Vicky Mears, Director UK Network - Midlands & North of England at the British Business Bank, said:

"The FundingHero accelerator has proven to be pivotal in helping innovative and investment-ready businesses reach their potential by providing all the tools, resources, and support that they need to thrive.

"The British Business Bank continues to support and anticipates the brand-new High Growth Fundraising Accelerator programme, commencing in January 2025, will guide more exciting Midlands-based businesses along their growth journey and towards a promising future."

Who should apply?

The programme is perfect for businesses that are:

• Poised for high growth
• Demonstrating strong initial traction
• Raising investment rounds between £250,000 to £3 million+

What businesses gain from the accelerator

Taking part in the accelerator equips businesses with the tools, resources, and potential connections to secure the investment needed to scale. Key takeaways include:

• A clear scale-up raise plan tailored to your business's unique growth trajectory.
• Clarity on your funding needs, ensuring you raise the right amount to achieve your goals.
• Investor-ready pitch decks and financials that convey a compelling story.
• Confidence in setting a realistic valuation that aligns with your growth potential.
• Pitching skills to help you communicate your vision effectively and avoid common pitfalls.
• A data-room fully prepared for investor review, streamlining the due diligence process.

Other highlights include:

• Weekly one-to-one sessions with a scaleup chief financial officer
• In-person workshops covering key areas in investment readiness.
• Guidance from industry experts who have successfully raised, scaled, and exited.
• Support in building a strong equity story that resonates with potential investors.

Applications are open, with eight slots available. Deadline to apply is Thursday, 12th December. For more information and to apply, see: https://www.fundinghero.co.uk/fundraising-accelerator