Exit Insights

Mastering Early-Stage Funding: Strategies for Startup Success - James Church


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James Church is a dedicated strategist and the creative mind behind Robot Mascot, an investment readiness agency passionate about helping early-stage businesses raise their first or second round of funding. As an experienced professional working with innovative startups, James has co-authored the bestselling book, Investable Entrepreneur, which takes readers through the methodologies used by Robot Mascot to effectively assist businesses on their fundraising journey. With his unique insights and proven strategies, James has plenty to offer to any early-stage startup founder looking to attract funding.


James has won the Business Advisor of the Year award at the Growing Business Awards and has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and Forbes. He’s run mentoring sessions at Tech Hub, Google Campus and Runway East, and delivered mastermind sessions for accelerators run by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Design Museum, Dent Global and the University of the East Anglia.


He converses with Darryl Bates-Brownsword on the Exit Insights podcast about building investor relationships and securing funding for startups. Church explains why it's essential to show a willingness to take risks and back oneself to secure funding, the importance of creating a strategic plan and finding the right investors, and how communication is key to fundraising. He advises founders to approach funding as a sales and marketing campaign and seek out strategic advisors alongside investors who can offer more than just cash. Church also recommends visiting the PitchReady website to take a quiz, receive a twelve-page report, download his book on fundraising, and join a strategy session.


This podcast episode is an excellent resource for early-stage startup founders seeking innovative funding strategies and practical tips for securing investment.


  • Discover innovative funding strategies for early-stage startups.
  • Uncover the significance of cultivating investor relationships.
  • Delve into risk-taking's role in obtaining investment.
  • Examine methods for balancing investor interests and founder equity.
  • Learn the art of approaching fundraising like a sales and marketing campaign.

  • Website: robotmascot.co.uk

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameschurch/

    Twitter: @jameschurch88

    Instagram: @jameschurch88

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    Exit InsightsBy Darryl Bates-Brownsword