ABOUT Many dream of high growth. Few achieve it. The reality is that it's a harder cycle to complete than entrepreneurs and founders expect. The risks are numerous and intense. The right investors will give you the space and the fuel to perfect your idea and connect with your market. However, they are going to ask you a series of searching questions about how you are actually going to perform. Kevin R Smith knows all about the pressures that entrepreneurs and founders face. He has helped hundreds of them to plan, fund and scale their ventures. Often when they're short of time or not sure which way to turn. Based on all these experiences, his book highlights the decisions and the capabilities that make the difference between those who accelerate and those who plateau. Written as a realistic guide to meeting the expectations of investors, he gives you a step-by-step guide to what you have to put in place to become fundable and put yourself on the path to scaling up. THE AUTHOR Kevin R Smith specializes in lining up the money for entrepreneurs and founders as they grow their ventures. Originally a banker, he has acted as an independent mentor and advisor for the last 24 years, helping to join up all the pieces for start-ups and scale-ups, so they can present the best possible version of their story to investors. Kevin is the founding partner of Boom & Partners, a multi-award winning business advisory firm, a mentor at the Nat West Entrepreneur Accelerator and at The Prince's Trust, as well as being a mentor and guest lecturer at Bayes Business School. He is a columnist on Start-ups Magazine and is a regular speaker on funding for growth. COMMENTS ¿ 'I wish this book had been around when I first started my business ... I couldn't recommend it more highly', Anna Daniels, chief executive, Involved Investors ¿ 'This incredible book should be the first thing anyone reads before starting a business or by anyone seriously wanting to scale', Emma Mattocks, advisor at Federation of Small Businesses, director at The One Network ¿ 'Kevin's expertise in scaling and funding start-ups is clear to see ... a must-read for all founders and entrepreneurs', Anna Flockett, editor, Startups Magazine ¿ 'A comprehensive text about how to scale your business ... an easy read that makes the entrepreneurial journey more accessible', Dr Stefania Zerbinati, Bayes Business School, City University CONTENTS (1) Entrepreneurs and founders (2) Your business idea and vision (3) Ready for the challenges (4) Getting help (5) Your business shape (6) Business plans (7) Customers, markets and data (8) Financials, assumptions and forecasts (9) Build your markets (10) International sales (11) Valuing early-stage businesses (12) Your fundraising campaign (13) Early-stage alternative funding (14) The right investor (15) Angel finance (16) Crowdfunding (17) Pitch decks (18) Tell your story (19) Build your team (20) Build your network (21) Your operating platform (22) Cashflow management (23) Why it's hard to grow (24) How to adapt and pivot (25) Growth funding