I took the bus into U2’s Windmill Lane Studios for the interview, dressed head to toe in my mother’s green clothes - like an Aer Lingus flight attendant! Before I knew it I got the position, and started a few days later, in their bright red office (it was the ‘80s remember!)

How to Build a Successful Investor-Entrepreneur Relationship.

“In order to fully participate, switch your camera and mic on, smile and be ready to introduce yourself and chat. The breakout rooms are not hosted so it’s up to you to make them useful and run smoothly.  We want you to meet new people, promote your growing business and have some fun”

In the early days of your startup, make sure you work towards and measure some milestones, however small. Ensure everyone in your growing team shares and knows this week or this month’s goals and when you hit a target or achieve a milestone, take a short break to recognise and mark your collective achievement

“Pitching is a dark art.  But it’s one that as an entrepreneur or a founder you need to get right”.

In the run-up to our event on 15th September with Kelly Hoey (on the theme of networking of course) we’re featuring some of our AwakenHub members telling their own networking stories, starting with Maria Gallo.

As any founder knows, negotiation skills is a key ingredient to raising a successful round. Recently, I was interviewed by Nathalie Gregg to share negotiation tips to catapult your influence and close the deal.

Read on to discover my top 7 negotiation strategies.

Back in June 2017 Elemental closed a £300k seed round in just 43 days from first pitch to money in the bank and at the time, the three of us were inundated with the same question – How on earth did you do that? We still get asked the same question today.

… really do your homework on potential investors (what sectors they are actively investing in, what else they’ve invested in, what they’re interested in this year, if they’re even investing at the moment) and don’t approach anyone without doing this first.  Also as part of this, speak to the founders of other companies in the investor’s portfolio and ask them how the experience has been for them.  Sounds obvious but so many founders don’t bother to do this.