#14 August Roundup
The ultimate opportunities, event and news listing this month! Plus, next week's Conversation guest announcement.
Welcome to Friday Funding Chats, your weekly accountability buddy in your small business funding journey. Every Friday we deliver top fund picks and tips to your inbox, saving you time and making your funding journey an empowering one.
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Whats in this edition:
This week is a lite edition as I’ve not been at my desk much, but next week I’ll be back with more content and a Live Conversation.
💸 Accelerators & cash prizes you don’t want to miss out on.
💸 Next week’s Live guest announcement!!
💸 Latest sustainability investment news
💸 Pitching open mic nights to refine your skills
This Weeks Top Opportunities
Award Natwest Accelerator Pitch - Win a share of £100,000 at the next Natwest Pitch event. Simply submit a 1 minute video pitch before 12th September.
Accelerator Virgin Startups: Momentum For Dyslexia - this specially designed 8 week programme is focussed on Dyslexic Thinking, a recognised skillset, not a limitation for founders.
Award Zurich Diversity & Inclusion Awards - Zurich are honouring charities and not-for-profits that have innovative D&I initiatives.
Accelerator Breakout Beauty UK - an exciting growth programme by Growth Studio offering £350,000 of cash, plus support and incredible mentors.
These Top Opportunities were lifted from the Funding Opportunities Database, a unique listing of over 60 grants, awards, accelerators and other funding opportunities for your small business (with a focus on creatives and social & environmental impact). For full access to the database, upgrade for just £4 a month. Plus get Friday Funding Chats Live, and interviews with founders who have funded.
Next Weeks Conversation
There won’t be a live conversation this week, but I’ll be back on 5th September with Hanan Tantush from Intotum. Hanan recently won £70k at the Natwest Accelerator Pitch competition (entries have reopened, see above opportunities for details). So if you have questions for Hanan, just let me know! (Contact Lucy)
Paid subscribers can watch the replays today, learn the honest truth about grant applications with Giovanna Vieira Co, and understand funding mixes with Daisy Harvey. Subscribe for just £4 a month.
Funding News:
Tapestry has increased its equity stake in recycled leather manufacturer Gen Phoenix to 9.9%, this follows the success of it’s initial partnership for Coachtopia. The investment will enable them to bring the leather to brands like Kate Spade and Coach.
Rent The Runway has announced it will hand over a controlling stake in the company as part of a plan to cut debt and grow, after residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic pushed the firm to the brink of bankruptcy.
Slightly left field but I love this story - Asda is to expand it’s sustainability linked finance scheme to more suppliers in October 2025. They have partnered with Lloyds Bank to offer financial incentives for its best-performing UK suppliers who demonstrate transparency and progress against sustainability targets.
matterr has developed an innovative technology for the chemical recycling of polyester from hard-to-recycle worn-out textiles and packaging waste. With financial support from EU and the investment from BESTSELLER, matterr will start building its small-scale industrial plant in 2026.
Daring Capital proudly invest in underrepresented founders, and they are changing the way they invest to make it even fairer. They now accept rolling applications from businesses looking for investment. Find out more on 5th September at their Q&A webinar.
Events
Novabook: How to get an investor reply in 20mins - In this live interview-style session, watch proven fundraising strategies in action - the same methods that successful founders are using in real-time to get to as high as 100% response rate.
2nd September, Online
Kickstart Your Make/100: A Creator Meetup - Dive into the world of Kickstarter and their Make/100 campaign with this exciting networking evening. You’ll also hear from successful Kickstarter founders and have a chance to pitch yourself.
4th September, London
Collaborating for Impact: Charities Working Together in Haringey - Join us at The Trampery Tottenham for an inspiring morning event that will highlight the power of partnership in Haringey’s third sector.
10th September, The Trampery, Tottenham
Enterprise Nation: Lunch & Learn Selling on Social Media - In this webinar led by Emma Watson, discover how to finally connect the dots between your content and your bank account, with simple, practical strategies that turn followers into paying customers.
8th September, Online
Funding Legals 101 - I highly rate both Emmie Faust and Sam Simpson so I know this will be a really engaging and jargon free session.
16th September, Online
Enterprise Nation: Lunch & Learn What is Invoice Finance - In this webinar, Richard Tamlyn explains clearly how invoice finance works, the benefits it can offer your business and how you can implement it in a way that supports growth, frees up cash flow and gives you flexibility – without needing to wait for payments.
16th September, Online
Rare Founder: Open Mic Pitching & Networking (Manchester) - Rare Founders is coming to Manchester. Pitchers are randomly selected to give 1 minute, quick fire pitches, and if you go over, you will get water gunned!
24th September, Manchester
Everything you need to know about Fundraising and SPV’s - the good people at Founder Catalyst are sharing another must attend webinar, this time with guest speaker Sasha Batica.
29th September, Online
Before You Go
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🎓 Do you have a small business community who could benefit from our knowledge and support? Reach out today to find out about our workshops, speaking and consultancy services. Contact Lucy
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