For many years, I’ve been deeply involved in raising capital for early-stage, high-potential companies. As a long-standing sponsor of the Australian Small Scale Offering Board (ASSOB), I worked alongside many other ASSOB sponsors during a time when securing funding for pre-revenue businesses was incredibly challenging. Despite these hurdles, the ASSOB platform was remarkably successful, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for startups and growth-stage companies.

What made my approach different was a strong focus on smart capital—not just securing funds but ensuring the right investors came on board. It’s never just about the money; it’s about connecting businesses with strategic investors who can open doors, drive growth, and accelerate success.

The Challenge of Raising Capital in Today’s Market

The private equity landscape remains difficult, particularly for businesses seeking to raise less than $1 million, and even amounts under $5 million can present significant challenges. Finding the right funding partners is critical, yet the market is flooded with subpar advisory services that overpromise and underdeliver. Too often, capital-raising efforts fizzle out due to a lack of strong investor relationships and a methodical, hands-on approach.

Many advisors operate on a transactional basis—sending out a few emails, making some calls, and moving on if there’s no immediate success. This lack of dedication can be detrimental to businesses that need capital to thrive.

Why Companies Fail to Raise Seed or Series A Funding

Raising capital is challenging, and many early-stage companies struggle to secure funding due to several key reasons:

• Lack of a clear and compelling value proposition – Investors want to see a clear problem being solved and a scalable business model.
• Poor investor readiness – A lack of well-prepared financials, an incomplete pitch deck, or a weak business strategy can deter investors.
• Insufficient traction – Many investors want proof of concept, early revenues, or strong user growth before committing.
• Weak investor relationships – Building a network of investors and engaging with them strategically over time is crucial.
• Unrealistic valuations – Overestimating a company’s worth can push investors away and signal a lack of market understanding.

According to Australian entrepreneur and venture capitalist Daniel Petre, “Raising early-stage capital is more difficult than ever. Investors are becoming more selective, and founders need to demonstrate not only a great idea but a clear path to execution.”

Australian startup investor Cheryl Mack also emphasises, “The biggest mistake I see is founders pitching too early. They need to refine their product, build initial traction, and prove they can execute before approaching investors.”

A New Approach: Hands-On Capital Raising with Tiger Boards

In 2024, we are recalibrating our capital-raising practice with an exclusive and highly targeted approach. Together with Gordon Jenkins, who serves on the Advisory Board and Investment Committee, we are assembling an elite capital-raising team at Tiger Boards. We are taking on a select number of mandates with a singular commitment: if we take on a mandate, we close the capital raise. We work alongside businesses until the funds are secured, bringing in the right mix of sophisticated investors, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and, where appropriate, private equity and venture capital firms.

Case Study: Success in FinTech Capital Raising

One standout example of our approach is a financial services technology business—a FinTech—that we supported from its seed round through to Series A. Not only did we secure the necessary capital, but we also built an ecosystem of high-calibre investors, strategic partners, and development experts around the business.

At every stage, we ensured the company had access to:

• Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
• Investors with industry expertise
• Development houses for product acceleration
• Talent who could drive the business forward

By taking this hands-on approach, we positioned the business for long-term success and made it a more attractive prospect for larger private equity and VC firms as it moved into later funding rounds.

The Future of Capital Raising: Smarter, More Strategic, and Investor-Aligned

The key to successful capital raising isn’t just about finding investors—it’s about finding the right investors at the right time. Smart capital is about leveraging networks, creating strong relationships, and ensuring businesses get the support they need beyond just funding.

This year, I’m taking on a limited number of new mandates. With a hand-picked team of experts, including Gordon Jenkins, we are committed to delivering results and securing critical funding for high-potential businesses. If you’re looking for a partner who will work alongside you until your capital-raising goals are achieved, let’s talk.

Upload your pitch deck today and start securing the right funding for your business. Visit www.tigerboards.com.au to learn more.