Sam Simpson

FounderCatalyst

FounderCatalyst is an exciting and disruptive play into the UK legal tech sector, underpinned by our superb technology platform. 

Our mission is to create all of your funding legal paperwork quickly and professionally, with no compromise on quality, at a fixed low price.  

Our aim is to make your fundraising legal journey as simple as possible, whilst managing investor engagement, putting you back in control.

My role in FounderCatalyst is to ensure that our platform and customer service is exemplary, to build industry partnerships and to own and execute our service roadmap.

Founder

Forge Technologies Ltd

Forge Technologies is a digital IT services business focusing on three technology pillars; Future workplace, Cloud optimisation and Network transformation. Forge has no legacy infrastructure that it needs to deliver returns against; no costly office space, external investors or banking covenants and unencumbered from legacy working practices that have to be turned on their head to adapt to new working practices.

Within Forge Technologies, I am responsible for all aspects of commercial and back office services.

Co-Founder and CCO

University of Bristol

Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC) is a world-leading incubator for quantum-based technology innovators, its vision is to educate and create the quantum entrepreneurs of the future. I'm mentoring two fantastic entrepreneurs as they develop their businesses.

Visiting Fellow and Mentor

Various Companies

Providing ongoing advice and support to the founders of incredible investees

Angel Investor and Board Advisor

Roc Technologies

I co-founded the business and successfully established the project and professional services delivery functions along with all back-office functions. This included finance, HR, IT, legal and corporate governance & compliance and vendor partnerships & accreditations.

Roc was recognised by the Financial Times as the 17th fastest growing company in Europe in 2017, and was the fastest growing IT Services business in the UK in 2016 according to the Sunday Times Tech Track.

Following a strategic review, I led a corporate finance process which resulted in a leveraged MBO and the acquisition of an IT Services business. At the time Roc had more than 200 people and run rate revenues of £25m. I subsequently exited my shareholding and Directorship as a part of this process.  The exit process was recognised by Business Magazine Thames Valley as Mid-Range Deal of the Year at the Annual Thames Valley Deals Awards 2018, held at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on the 19th April 2018 and subsequently as Tech Deal of the Year 2018 at the Thames Valley Tech Awards.

Founding Director

Daisy Group PLC

During my short period of employment at Daisy I was responsible for stabilising the Professional Services elements of the business following the acquisition of 2e2's managed services business. I also developed a repeatable process for integrating acquisitions.

Director of Project Services

Consolidated five disparate Project Services team into a single consistent directorate. Responsible for more than 150 staff across multiple disciplines and a portfolio of 500+ projects with a value in excess of £200m.
I also supported the sale of the company’s business units and assets to Daisy and O2.

Accountable for all delivery operations including management of a team of 90 technical engineers, consultants, project managers and PMO staff. My team delivered in excess of £110 million of customer solutions per annum.

Operations Director, Unified Communications Business Unit

Delivery of the company’s largest and most complex programme for a high security UK government client. Recruited and led a team of more than 60 technical and project management professionals. Successfully delivered the programme to time and budget.

Technical & Delivery Director

Prime Business Solutions

Management of pre-sales technical support and post sales delivery for IT infrastructure solutions based on Microsoft and Citrix.

Server and Client Line of Business Director

Evotree Limited

Evotree was an early cloud computing and Microsoft/Citrix Integrator startup. I established and managed all technical and operational delivery capability. The company achieved revenues of £1m in the first 6 months and was subsequently integrated into Prime Business Solutions.

Co-Founder and COO

Technical development, management and support in the Education and Insurance sectors.

Various Network and IT Operations Management Roles

You're seeking that all-important funding to catapult you to the next level.

YET despite how motivated you are and how good your business idea is, you may still struggle to…

▫️ Get funding because of the advance assurance needed
▫️ Afford the production of expensive legal paperwork
▫️ Know-how to find those elusive investors.

Simplifying and accelerating the early-stage investment legal journey, FounderCatalyst is the ONLY affordable fixed price method of funding round legals for start-ups.

WHO WE HELP
Pre-incorporation to start-ups in England & Wales that want expert AND affordable help with SEIS & EIS and the legal process and documentation required to complete their funding journey. 

3 WAYS WE HELP
1. Apply for SEIS & EIS advance assurance
2. Produce all legal funding round paperwork and manage investor engagement
3. Introduce start-ups to possible sources of funding.

Enjoy the relief all of the legal paperwork you need in as little as 30 minutes and your investor engagement managed through the process.  

PROOF WE HELP
✅  Complete fixed price service per funding round just £1,495 +vat
✅  99% success rate for advance assurance
✅  Legal paperwork produced in just 30 minutes.

YOUR NEXT STEP
Haven’t yet got your funding legals sorted and you’re determined to give your start-up the best and most affordable chance of success?

Book a chat at https://calendly.com/sam-fc/meet

Thanks for viewing my profile.

Sam

"Founders seeking to raise equity finance - use this service! It’s simple to use, reliable & secure, & provides unrivalled value for money. You're in complete control of your fundraising process & timescales." Jules & Charlie, Founders, The Nue Co

FREE RESOURCES
Because we’re here to help start-ups, we offer the following for free:

✅  SEIS/EIS advance assurance submission
✅  Customised Term Sheet
✅  Template Forecast Models
✅  Founder Collaboration Agreements

Visit: foundercatalyst.com to find out more and access the freebies.

SPECIALITIES: Start-up, Startup, Start Up Funding, Funding Round, Funding, Investment, Investor, Investor Engagement, Angel Investor, SEIS, EIS

This afternoon has been a great reminder of why I love doing what I do at FounderCatalyst.  3x back to back founder calls:

🚚 A founder with an amazing app in the foodie space.  As a passionate home cook, this chat really made me want to get out in the outdoor kitchen this weekend to cook up a feast.

💰 Telling a founder with an amazing luxury brand who thought that she was out of time for SEIS that she's still eligible - her reaction was a treat 👏

🎣 Hooking a customer from a competitor out of the blue always a treat too 🫢

Being a founder is a rollercoaster, but this has been a great end to the week 🎉

Serial Entrepreneur, Board Advisor ▫️ Founder at FounderCatalyst, the ONLY affordable fixed price method of funding round legals for start-ups ▫️ CCO at Forge Technologies

⏳ 48 hours to go - I’m looking forward to joining forces with Ivan Hoo for a live, practical breakdown of one of the biggest early-stage challenges: setting and defending your pre-seed valuation.

Whether you're raising your first round or preparing for investor conversations, this session will give you the frameworks and confidence you need.

Here’s what FounderCatalyst and Hubble will be covering:

✔️ The core principles behind pre-seed valuations — and how equity, control and fundraising strategy really fit together
✔️ The key valuation methodologies founders should understand (and when each actually applies)
✔️ An investor’s perspective on how valuations are assessed in the real world
And from Ivan Hoo (Fractional CFO & Startup Advisor at Hubble):
✔️ A deep dive into the Venture Capital Method (VCM) & comparables
✔️ Practical tactics for negotiating with investors
✔️ A live Q&A to tackle your specific valuation questions

🗓️ 3 December 2025

🕛 12:00 PM (UK Time)

💻 Free to join

👉 Save your spot: https://lnkd.in/eyESfp6x
Hope to see you there!

#StartupValuations #FundraisingTips #FounderCatalyst  #StartupWebinar #InvestorReady  #StartupJourney

👥 Building a Winning Startup Team

Equity, Legal Structures & Advisory Boards
A strong startup team goes far beyond just great people—it’s about setting the right structure, incentives, and agreements from day one.

In this practical session, Sam FounderCatalyst will be covering how to allocate equity and use share schemes effectively, while Patricia Wing (SuLe) will break down the legal and governance must-haves for co-founders, advisors, and NEDs.

What you’ll learn:
✅ How to structure equity for co-founders and advisors
✅ SEIS, share options & funding round considerations
✅ Vesting agreements, legal protections & more
🎤 Plus live Q&A—bring your questions!

📅 09/12/25 @ 12PM (Zoom)

Register here for free:

Open article: Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: How to Attract, Keep, and Reward your Co-Founders, Advisors, NEDs and Employees. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. by us06web.zoom.us

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: How to Attract, Keep, and Reward your Co-Founders, Advisors, NEDs and Employees. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

⏰ 6 days to go!

Next week I’ll be hosting a free live session taking you behind the scenes of what really happens after you’ve defined your funding round — from inviting investors to signing, closing, and completing your raise on the FounderCatalyst platform. 🚀

I’ll also cover the key post-close steps that keep your company and investors aligned, compliant, and ready for growth.

Here’s what we’ll go through:
✅ Inviting & managing investors
✅ Signing and completing your round
✅ Closing actions on FounderCatalyst
✅ Post-close compliance essentials
✅ Live Q&A

🗓️ 17/11/25 | 12:00PM (BST)

💻 Free to attend — final spots available!

👉 Save your place here https://lnkd.in/e35Pkfwk 

#FounderCatalyst #Webinar #StartupFunding #SEIS #EIS #Fundraising #StartupJourney #AngelInvesting

Open article: Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: From investor invites to closing the round: What happens next on FounderCatalyst platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. by us06web.zoom.us

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: From investor invites to closing the round: What happens next on FounderCatalyst platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

FundingHero

Simplifying the startup fundraising process for technology startups

Connected Places Catapult

Providing programme mentorship for cohort members as a CFO and investment advice to raise external funding to scale up.

HS2 Accelerator Programmme Mentor: CFO & Funding Expert

FoAM Accelerator Programmme Mentor: CFO & Funding Expert

The Startup Fundraising MBA

Proud Author ✍️ of The Startup Fundraising MBA and creator of The 6 Pillars of Fundraising showing founders how to secure millions in funding from Idea stage to Series A. Available via Amazon.com

Author The Startup Fundraising MBA

Founder + Lightning

Creating and delivering the scale up strategy for ucreate to achieve their mission to build tech founders ideas into successful businesses, quicker, better, stronger.

CFO & Board advisor

Growthpreneur

Financial expertise guiding your scale up business success www.growthpreneur.co.uk

CFO & Founder

Aspiring Point Group

BrewBroker

Fourpure Brewing Co.

- Responsible for managing the commercial aspects at Fourpure. Covering areas such as pricing 
  strategy, cost control & optimisation, owner of contract services, investment appraisal, managing 
  planning for operations and general business guidance. 
- Providing M&A advisory and due diligence expertise
- Member of Senior Leadership team directing the business strategy and operations.

Commercial Director

Responsible for growing, developing and managing the finance function with FOURPURE BREWING whilst on its exciting journey with an absolutely brilliant team of people. Inspired by adventure.....

Finance Director

Six Degrees Group

Group Finance Director

Head of Finance Managed Data Services

Head of Commercial Pricing

I was recruited into an extremely fast paced and time constrained environment in a new position made to oversee the management accounts, forecasting and budgeting production. 

My immediate objective was to stabilise, motivate and develop the finance team following a very difficult merger (the business doubled to £55m T/O). 

I was required to review the complex business model for all current accounting practices and make the team work smarter, provide more accurate, relevant information and develop the bespoke IT system to deliver better reporting outputs.

Chief Accountant

With 2 exits & over 20 acquisitions I'm an experienced CFO, Angel investor & Founder of Tech platform FundingHero.co.uk 

My focus is on helping Tech Startups raising funding from Initial Seed to Series A. 

My Angel investments are into a Venture Builder & Studio which has a portfolio of over 20+ startups and most recently into a data driven AI matchmaking platform for early stage venture funds.

I provide advice for advisor equity to early stage companies, my value & experience helps founders;

- Stop them burning huge sums of money by avoiding hugely costly mistakes early on.
- Define a powerful commercial strategy that lets then get to revenue quickly and be more investable
- Create realistic financial models that make sense and get founders funded
- Help them understand how to build a company towards an exit with a real strategic focus 
  
My platform & consultancy FundingHero.co.uk focuses on simplifying the startup fundraising process. 

My career has been focused on delivering shareholder value in high growth platforms. 

Founder + Lightning:	Successfully raising £2.4m in Angel & Venture debt for growth
Fourpure Brewing Co:. 	Exit to Multi national trade, rapid growth & high exit revenue multiple.
Six Degrees Group. 	Buy & Build, 15 acquisitions. Sold to PE, double digit EBITDA exit. 

I enjoy playing a strategic role in the business towards engineering an exit whilst being very hands on running the day to day to ensure the team is aligned and all working towards creating a highly scalable & valuable business. 

My strengths are in financial modelling & commercial strategy, coupled with understanding the reality of how businesses operate and scale. This enables me to quickly show a range of scenarios so founders can make informed decisions to execute their businesses plans successfully.   

Over 20+ years experience covering;

- Fundraising equity & debt
- Strategic exits to PE & Trade 
- Execute high organic growth strategies
- 20+ Acquisitions & mergers from DD to Integration
- IT systems design & Integration
- Finance function build & centralisation
- Business restructuring
- Financial modelling & analysis

Jim Shirley

🚨 Before You Pitch to a Single VC… Ask Yourself One Question

“Am I actually raising the right type of money?”

I see this every week…

A brilliant founder and early traction but stuck in a 6–12 month grind because they chased VCs before they understood what VCs are built to fund.

And the cost isn’t just frustration.

It’s lost time, lost momentum, and missed opportunities to grow while you were stuck in inbox purgatory.

Here’s the reality nobody tells founders early enough:

💡 VCs don’t fund just potential. 

They are looking for the best of the best of the best 😎

They are looking for that select few that sit in the 0.5% of companies they chose to back. 

If your stage, revenue model, team, market size or traction don’t match the VC template, it doesn’t matter how good the pitch deck looks.
You're simply in the wrong queue. 😩

But once you understand the VC mindset, what they prioritise, how they filter deals, and what signals matter,  the whole fundraising journey becomes 10x clearer and the type of money suitable for you.

That’s exactly why we’re running this session 👇

📢 Inside the VC Mindset: Raising Smarter, Raising Bigger

Free webinar — still time to register

📅 Wednesday 26 November 2025
⏰ 12.30pm – 1.30pm
🎤 Speakers:
• Jim Shirley, FundingHero  
• Lewis Stringer, British Business Bank
• Hannah Tapsell Chapman - Mercia Ventures, Mercia Ventures
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eWAVtDqS

We’ll break down:

👉 How VCs assess a deal in the first 3 minutes
👉 What they look for that angels may not
👉 The real signals behind traction and team
👉 How due diligence actually works at the institutional level
👉 What founders must do 3–6 months BEFORE raising

If you’re building something innovation-led and raising £500k–£3m, you cannot afford to guess this stuff.

Spend one hour now 🎯
Save six months later. 💪

#Startups #Founders #fundraising #venture capital #vc #tech

Author ✍️ The Startup Fundraising MBA | Helping Founders Successfully Fundraise & Scale | Founder FundingHero.co.uk

taplio

The Battle

Sam Simpson

Jim Shirley

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSam Simpson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJim Shirley's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Sam Simpson

Jim Shirley

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sam Simpson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJim Shirley's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSam Simpson's LinkedIn Performance