When more acquisition would miss the problem ↗
At an early-stage health-tech company, users acquired through ads were churning. I recommended working on retention before spending more to bring people in.
Where do your founders need help?
One founder needs to work out why users leave. Another has an AI demo but is still figuring out who will use it. A third needs someone to help the product team get going. I can work with them on those problems, from understanding what is happening through to doing the work.
Book a free introduction ↗Some questions to start with
- Is the problem finding users, keeping them or getting the product built?
- What do we need to learn before putting more time and money into it?
- Does the founder need help thinking it through, or someone to work alongside the team?
How I can help
Get to the question behind the request
“We need growth” can mean a lot of things. I’d look at the product, talk to the founder and work through the numbers. We need to know whether the problem is demand, retention, the route to market or the team’s ability to get things done.
Help a portfolio company do something about it
That could mean improving onboarding, testing a new product, working out where AI is useful or changing how the team prioritises. I like staying close enough to the work to see whether the recommendation actually helps.
Give the team experienced product support
I can take on a product or growth problem for a period, help a founder develop the team or work alongside an existing leader. A conversation or workshop can get us started; we can then agree what work is needed.
What you should have afterwards
- A clearer view of the problem the company needs to solve.
- The evidence behind that view and the questions still open.
- A plan agreed with the founder, and help doing the work if needed.
Work I’ve done
Testing whether people will use an AI product ↗
I built an AI dispute-resolution MVP, then changed direction when conversations exposed how difficult adoption would be. That experience informs the questions I ask other founders.
Working with me
The fund could sponsor work with one company, or we could arrange sessions with founders to find out where help is needed. We would agree what is shared with the fund and what stays with the company before starting.
Projects start at £10,000. We’ll agree the work and the fee before starting. Fractional leadership and ongoing work are agreed separately. I work throughout the UK and remotely in Europe and the US.
Can the fund pay for work with a portfolio company?
Yes. I’d agree the problem and the work with the founder as well as the fund, so we are helping with something the company needs.
Can you look at a company before we invest?
I can help examine the product, growth and AI assumptions with the access and information available. I’d be clear about what the evidence supports and what we still need to find out.
Let’s talk.
Tell me what you’re trying to do and where you’re stuck. We can talk it through on a free 25-minute call.
Not sure where to start? Try the growth diagnostic and share your answers ↗