To increase access to investment, we recognise that funding alone is not enough. Many underrepresented founders face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing investment, even when their organisations have strong potential.
With Pre-investment Support, we provide you with financial and technical support to overcome these barriers, so you can enter the investment process with confidence.
What Pre-investment Support Covers
We offer a grant of £5,000 - £30,000 (based on your investment readiness needs) to fund specialist support that helps you prepare for investment. This can include:
- Impact consultancy,
- Customer acquisition strategy,
- Development of growth plans and financial forecasts.
Along with the grant, you will also have access to:
- Pro-bono legal support, so you can negotiate with confidence,
- Experienced coaches and mentors who understand impact-led organisations,
- A dedicated support manager to guide you through the fundraising journey.
How it Works
Organisations can be held back from accessing investment if they lack the time, capacity, or specialist support to prepare the information investors need to make funding decisions.
Through the Pre-investment Support process, we:
- Identify key development areas together (e.g. customer acquisition, financial modelling, social impact,governance, etc.),
- Agree a tailored preparation plan to address the development areas,
- Provide technical and financial support in the form of a milestone-linked grant.
Once this work is complete, you’ll be ready to provide the information investors need for due diligence. At that point, GIF will reassess your investment application and you may either progress to due diligence with us or be referred to other suitable investors.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for Pre-investment Support, organisations must:
- Meet the Growth Impact Fund’s eligibility criteria,
- Not have previously received investment (excluding angel or family funding),
- Be preparing to seek investment within 12 months,
- Have the capacity to engage in the programme.
Priority will be given to founders who fall into more than one of GIF’s founder representation groups, and organisations based outside of Greater London (except Barking & Dagenham).
How to Apply
To apply for a Pre-investment Grant, submit an application for investment. Our team will review your application and see if you’re a good fit.
If you’re specifically looking for the Pre-investment Grant, please add this to the box on the second page of the application form that asks, “Is there anything else you would like to share with us about where your organisation currently is in terms of applying for investment?” This will help the team when reviewing your application.
Who We’ve Helped
Pre-Investment Grant Recipients
Patchwork Hub
Patchwork Hub
Founded by:
Beth Kume-Holland
Founder & CEO
Pre-investment Grant Usage:
It was used for coaching on articulating social impact, developing strong governance structures, developing a growth plan and financial forecast, and creating a customer acquisition strategy.
Living in Fitness
Living in Fitness
Founded by:
Carl Davis
Founder & Instructor
Pre-investment Grant Usage:
Living in Fitness received the Pre-investment Grant to work on a comprehensive pre-investment support plan which included coaching on articulating social impact, engaging in market analysis, creating a growth and business plan and translating that into a robust financial forecast. Alongside the technical support, the Pre-investment Grant team advised and coached the founder throughout the diligence process and focused on building confidence through the investment process.
More About Our Recipients
The Pre-investment Grant programme helps build capacity and prepare social entrepreneurs for investment. Our goal is to address barriers that diverse and underrepresented founders face when seeking funding.
Grant Success Stories
Through our Pre-investment Grant programme, we’ve helped organisations develop their:
- Impact assessment and communication
- Market analysis and growth strategies
- Financial modelling and forecasts
- Governance structures and team development
- Customer acquisition strategies
Each grant is tailored to the specific needs of the organisation, providing both financial and technical support throughout the due diligence process.
