Finance for Founders: Navigating Funding, Growth and Sustainability

For many of us, finance is often the last thing on our minds when launching a shiny new business. But be warned: navigating the startup sea without a solid understanding of finance can lead to a perilous journey toward scaling up and beyond.

Join our panel of finance experts for an in-depth discussion on the key financial strategies that will keep your business shipshape for success.

Join us for an engaging discussion that will cover:

• When and how to raise funds—from bootstrapping to VC funding

• Managing burn rate, runway, and cash flow effectively

• Key financial metrics every founder should know

• Balancing growth with profitability

• Overcoming personal financial strain and maintaining a sustainable business

Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this event will give you actionable insights to help you build a financially sound startup.

📅 Date: Thursday 21st November

🕔 Time: 18:00 - 21:00

📍 Location: Azets, Edinburgh (Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG)

🗣 Guest Speakers

Colin Hewitt

With over two decades of experience in the software industry, Colin is the CEO and co-founder of Float, the award-winning cash flow forecasting tool for small businesses. His passion is to make small business finances make sense, by providing easy and accurate scenario planning and budgeting features that integrate with popular accounting platforms.

Gareth Magee

Having spent my career with a leading independent Scottish firm we took the bold step to join Azets - a new, fresh, dynamic top 10 accountancy and business advisory business investing in the technology of the future. The Azets vision is to be the firm of choice for SMEs with a real focus on helping businesses to harness technology to simplify accounting and compliance and to help manage finances in real time.

Angela Brown

Angela founded FinFlare to give ambitious startups their own virtual finance team led by a dedicated startup CFO.

Their mission is to give every startup a dedicated CFO-led finance function.

She’s an experienced startup CFO, working with investor-backed businesses looking to scale-up. I have commercial experience of helping businesses develop their finance teams, enhance their finance and data reporting, and build their operations.

So if you want to hear about growth, Angela is your woman!

Emily Coltman

Emily Coltman FCA, chief accountant of FreeAgent, is a graduate of the University of Cambridge. She has been working with small businesses since the year 2000 and is passionate about helping their owners lose their fear of "the numbers" and the taxman. Her speciality is translating accounting and tax-speak into plain English!

🔦 Event Highlights:

🤝 Ecosystem Mixer:

Connect with fellow founders, investors, and industry experts in a relaxed but vibrant networking environment. Build valuable connections and explore opportunities to collaborate and propel your startup to new heights.

We are limited to 60 people in the room, so save your spot now, share with a friend, and get ready to immerse yourself in some relatable and inspirational failure stories.

What you need to know:

What:  Finance for founders: Navigating Funding, Growth, and Sustainability

📅 Date: Thursday 21st November

🕔 Time: 18:00 - 21:00

📍 Location: Azets, Edinburgh (Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG)

Bonus Extras: Free Food, Drink & Open Mic