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The Alternative
Funding school
Practical hands-on for support for founders raising mission-aligned funding
Next cohort: 01 NOV- 10 DEC 2022
90 founders from 14 countries have joined since launching in November 2020
(The Super Early Bird Price ends August 05!)
What our graduates say
"I've been seeking funding for a while and often find this sort of information a little repetitive - BUT as we got deeper into the details, there was huge value in your training and resources - things that made me stop and think - things that challenged my assumptions - and useful processes, tips and suggestions that I was able to action immediately."
- Gary Todd, founder of Famiio, cohort 3
"After graduating from the Alternative Funding School the number one thing I changed about my funding plan is that I actually have one. All the worksheets have been really helpful. And I know the story that I'm trying to tell with my business and also when we need to get funding and don't feel kind of on the backfoot"
- Sophie Slater, founder of Birdsong, cohort 2
“The course gave us the opportunity to really consider grant funding in particular, which would have been something I would never have considered previously. And so we've been exploring crypto grant funding and that was a direct result actually of attending the Alternative funding school.."
- Jane Murray, founder of PeaceBeam, cohort 1
Discover the fundraising possibilities
open to YOU
The Alternative Funding school is the equivalent of thousands of pounds worth of consultancy and advice and many months of research delivered in a way that is digestible, clear and concise. We share practical hands-on support to help you raise funding on your terms. If you are a founder struggling to fundraise, if you know you don't want VC money but aren't sure where else to look or you're ready to grow and scale and want to know what your options are, then this is the course you've been waiting for.
In 6 weeks you'll learn what funding options exist outside VC and what stage you need to be at to pursue them, how successful founders have raised millions in aligned funding and what you need to create a crystal clear fundraising plan for your business. You'll get a directory of funding sources, learning exercises to build confidence, valuable curated links and guidance from successful founders ready to teach you everything they know. All this, alongside a hand-picked community of founders all building incredible purposeful businesses.
What's the cost of participating?
We don't take equity in your business. Instead, you pay for your seat which helps us cover some of the cost of running each cohort. The Super Early Bird price is £525/$640 and this gives you lifetime access to all our funding materials and alumni community.
You must first apply to be admitted, and if you are accepted you are then asked to pay in full or in 4 instalments over 4 months. We also have discounts for social enterprises and students!
What you will learn in 6 weeks
Live training sessions
Esme Verity
Fundraising coach and Founder, Considered Capital
Over the course of 6 weeks, Esme will host 3 live sessions where she’ll invite founders and investors to share their knowledge and expertise. During these live sessions you'll gain real insights into what it takes to successfully fundraise.
If you aren’t able to make a session, we’ll have recordings available for you.
Emma Shaw
Co-founder, Library of Things
Topic: How we fundraised £1 million on our own terms
For module 5, Emma and her co-founders raised £1million for Library of Things and this is the first time she's shared her story in full. She’ll be walking you through exactly how they did it, including how they decided what type of funding was right, how they found the right equity investors, and a framework for you to do the same.
More trainers soon to be announced!
How it works..
Weekly training
modules
Each week, you'll receive a new module with pre-recorded videos from our expert trainers and helpful exercises to apply what you have learned. You can choose to learn everything all at once or at your own pace. It's your choice. Our recommended time commitment is 2-3 hours per week.
Live learning
sessions
Hang out with pioneering founders ask questions and digest what you've learned before diving into the next module. All weekly live sessions are recorded so you never miss a thing
One to One
support
Each module brings with it a challenge so that you can apply what you've learned. You'll receive one to one guidance if you get stuck and case studies to get a feel for how others are applying the same challenges
Learn from
the experts
Over 50 investors, founders and academics have joined the Considered Capital community to train founders to raise alternative capital
Mara Zepeda
Co-Founder Zebras Unite
Topic: Exit To Community
Jenny Kassan
Attorney & Capital raising coach
Topic: Debt & Equity
Aunnie Patton Power
Author Adventure Finance
Topic: Your funding roadmap
Olivia Sibony
Investor & CEO Seed Tribe
Topic: Angel Investing
Asher Ismail
Investor & Co-Founder Upcapped
Topic: Revenue Based funding
Amy Carter-James
Investor & Co-Founder Raaise
Topic: New Financing Instruments
Savitri Tan
Investor at Isomer Capital
Topic: Equity Investing
James Lizars
Accountant & Founder Thrive
Topic: Being smart with your revenue
Melissa Siah
Founder & CEO Syntacog
Topic: Grant Funding
Watch a ten-minute taster on 'How to win grant funding' with Melissa Siah below!
The Alternative Funding school is a good fit if you are
curious to explore all your funding options (and wondering if VC is the way to go)
trying to work out when your business needs funding
building a company that doesn't fit the 'grow at all costs' venture capital funding model
searching for patient capital
keen to connect with like minded founders and investors
exploring how to fund your business without relying in VC money
Why should I participate?
2.
Reserve your spot today
£525/$640
(The Super Early Bird Price ends August 05!)
FAQs
What's the time commitment?
2-3 hrs per week. Everything is recorded (and as a bonus, you'll also receive the recordings from our previous cohort workshops).
I can't join this cohort, will there be more?
There's likely to be another cohort following this one, however, we won't be rerunning the funding school until Spring 2023.
Who is teaching this course?
Esme Verity - the founder of Considered Capital has designed this course and will guide you through it.
Who is the target audience?
We welcome founders from anywhere in the world who are currently fundraising or thinking about fundraising in the next 6-12 months. In previous cohorts, we've had people building fintech products, eCommerce businesses, marketplaces, education platforms and food and drinks companies.
What do I need to have done to join?
You don't need any experience in fundraising as long as you've got a business, an idea or a project you're looking to get funded.
What if I'm unhappy with the course?
If you watched all of the videos, attended the live sessions and completed all the exercises and you're not satisfied, get it touch in the first 30 days and you will receive a full refund.
Join a global community of founders
Our alumni have amazing networks you can leverage and learn from. Our community consists of like-minded founders, brought together virtually across the globe.
participants
countries
continents
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HOW TO RAISE
ALTERNATIVE FUNDING
Practical hand-on for support for founders
raising mission-aligned funding.
Reserve your spot today
Discover the fundraising possibilities
open to YOU
Learn about the variety of funding options available and what stage you need to be at to pursue them, hear from successful founders who have raised aligned funding and create a crystal clear fundraising plan for your business.
You'll get a directory of funding sources, learning exercises to build confidence, valuable curated links and guidance from successful founders ready to teach you everything they know. All this, alongside a hand-picked community of founders all building incredible purposeful businesses.
By the end of 6 weeks, you'll have a complete fundraising database and be ready to start applying for funding.
What you're saying about us...
Our programme is designed to:
- give you the tools you need to raise funding
- feature founders & investors who raised and deployed millions
- offer you the space to consider the many funding options available
- share the inside track on what it means to fundraise
You'll learn:
- all sources of funding available to you
- how to identify what funding suits your business
- how to build a fundraising roadmap
You'll receive:
- 15 hours of self-guided lessons to equip you to fundraise
- 5 virtual modules over 5 weeks
- live lessons with leading investors & founders
- weekly assignments to apply what you're learning
- a fundraising roadmap
- access to an inclusive community of like-minded people, all with the same goal
- case studies from founders that were where you are now
- valuable curated links and additional reading
- a directory of funding sources to make it easier to start fundraising
- lifetime access to all the content
The Curriculum
Our programme is a good route if you...
are a founder, small business owner, or just somebody with an idea
using a for-profit business model
have spent time going down the VC route and realised it wasn't for you
want to understand how to get funding without going down the VC route
don't yet know the steps to raise funding that aligns with your values
are searching for sources of funding and places to look for help
Our programme might not be that useful if...
you are someone who knows which path they're on and are on a mission down a venture capital route. If so, that's great! The VC path works for lots of businesses; it's just not the only solution
you are at a later stage (two-three years) of the business and have already gone through lots of funding routes. You may not find as much value in this as an early-stage founder looking for their first funding
This programme is NOT...
Join a global community of founders
Our alumni have amazing networks you can leverage and learn from. Our community consists of like-minded founders, brought together virtually across the globe.
participants
countries
continents
Exclusive
video library
Learn from the very best with pre-recorded videos released weekly featuring investors, founders and academics. Watch a ten-minute taster on 'How to win grant funding' with Melissa Siah below!
Secure your spot today
Consider yourself at home
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