Phase 1 · Discovery · Clarity Begins Here
Grant & Non-Dilutive Funding Strategy
The most expensive capital a founder takes is equity. The cheapest is the capital that does not cost equity at all — and most founders have never systematically looked for it.
Grant and non-dilutive funding strategy is the structured approach to identifying, applying for, and securing the capital that does not require equity dilution — government grants, innovation funding, R&D tax credits, development finance, revenue-based finance, and sector-specific funding programmes. We map the funding landscape for the business's specific situation, design the application strategy, and manage the submissions that unlock capital the business is often entitled to but has never claimed.
The Pain We Solve
You may recognise yourself in one of these.
Three audience scenarios · because the same service produces a different transformation depending on where you are in the business journey.
Scenario 1
The founder diluting equity at an early stage when non-dilutive funding was available
Equity was sold to fund activities that a government grant, an innovation fund, or an R&D tax credit would have funded without any dilution. The capital cost was avoidable and the equity lost cannot be recovered.
Scenario 2
The business investing in R&D, innovation, or product development without claiming the tax credits it is entitled to
HMRC's R&D tax credit scheme returns significant capital to businesses investing in innovation — but most SMEs never claim, often because they do not know they qualify or believe the application is too complex to pursue.
Scenario 3
The startup in a sector with specific funding programmes that has never explored them
Cleantech, agritech, medtech, defence, creative industries, and dozens of other sectors have targeted funding programmes designed specifically for businesses doing exactly what this business does. The majority go unexplored.
The Impact It Creates
The Moment You Will Feel the Difference.
Capital secured without equity dilution — preserving founder and early investor ownership
R&D and innovation activities part-funded by government programmes the business was already entitled to
Funding landscape fully mapped so no available capital source is overlooked
Non-dilutive capital used to extend runway and improve valuation at the first equity round
What You Receive
The Specific Deliverables.
Tangible outputs · documented, dated, and yours to keep.
- Non-dilutive funding landscape mapping for the business's stage, sector, and activities
- R&D tax credit eligibility assessment and claim preparation
- Grant opportunity identification and application prioritisation
- Innovation funding applications — Innovate UK, Horizon, and sector-specific programmes
- Revenue-based finance and development loan assessment
- Funding calendar — application deadlines and pipeline management
The Outcome
Where You Will Be on the Other Side.
The business accesses every pound of non-dilutive capital it is entitled to — reducing the equity it needs to sell to fund growth and arriving at the first investment round with a cleaner cap table and a higher valuation.
Primary Focus
Identifying and securing all available non-dilutive funding — grants, R&D credits, and innovation finance — to extend runway without equity dilution.
KPI Measurement
- Non-dilutive capital secured
- R&D tax credit value claimed
- Grants applied for vs awarded
- Equity preserved through non-dilutive funding
- Time from identification to capital received
Investment & ROI
Pricing Engineered Around the Value You Create.
Every engagement is sized against the value we believe we can create with you · the fee is always a fraction of the outcome. Four tiers · so the investment matches your stage of business.
Tier 1
Foundations
£5,000 – £15,000
Right for
Pre-startup, startup, and micro-business founders ready to build on evidence rather than instinct.
Typical Value Created
£50K – £500K avoided in misdirected launches and bad bets
Engagement
4 – 8 weeks
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 2
Acceleration
£15,000 – £50,000
Right for
Growing SMEs and established small businesses ready to scale a working model into the next revenue band.
Typical Value Created
£250K – £2M of better-informed launch decisions and faster market traction
Engagement
8 – 16 weeks
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 3
Transformation
£50,000 – £250,000
Right for
Medium enterprises and scale-stage businesses ready to commit to a multi-quarter, organisation-wide shift.
Typical Value Created
£1M – £25M in strategic pivots de-risked and new categories validated
Engagement
3 – 9 months
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Tier 4
Enterprise
£250,000 – £2M+
Right for
Large enterprises, global operators, and complex organisations ready for a multi-year strategic partnership.
Typical Value Created
£5M – £100M+ in optimised market entry, M&A diligence, and category positioning
Engagement
12 months and onward
Target Return
5 – 10× ROI
within 12 – 18 months
Why We Price This Way
Every engagement is sized around the value we believe we can create with you. The fee is always a fraction of the outcome · typically 10 – 20% of the expected first-year return.
This is how we make sure pricing aligns with results. The conversation is never “what does this cost?” · it is always “what is this worth to your business?” We answer that together in the first call, transparently, and decide the right tier from there.
If we cannot articulate a credible 5–10× return for your specific situation, we will tell you in the first call. That honesty is part of why our clients trust us with the work that matters most.
Why This Conversation Matters
“The equity you do not have to give away is the equity that compounds to the exit. Non-dilutive funding is not a consolation prize — it is the smartest capital a founder can access. We find every source of it available to the business.”
A 90-minute structured strategy session · produces a usable roadmap whether you engage further or not.
More in Phase 1