The South Midlands Growth Hub is set to launch a new investment readiness programme designed to help high-growth businesses prepare properly for external funding, with a public Demo Day planned for later this spring.
The High Growth Readiness Programme is aimed at ambitious founders, university spinouts and innovation-led companies across the South Midlands, including businesses based in West and North Northamptonshire. Crucially, it targets firms that can pitch confidently but are not yet genuinely ready to secure investment.
The initiative responds to a familiar challenge across the UK’s growth ecosystem. While many founders can tell a compelling story, fewer have the commercial structure, governance and alignment that investors expect. As a result, promising businesses often struggle to progress beyond early funding conversations.
From pitching to being investable
Unlike traditional pitch training, the High Growth Readiness Programme focuses on what makes a business truly investable. It is delivered as an intensive four-week sprint, helping founders build credible, fundable businesses rather than polished presentations.
The programme concentrates on key fundamentals including strategy, governance, traction, commercial clarity and investor alignment. Consequently, participants gain a clearer understanding of how investors assess risk, readiness and potential return.
Founders will work through a structured investment readiness framework grounded in real investor expectations. Additionally, they will receive practical guidance from experienced founders and operators, alongside direct exposure to investors and ecosystem partners from across the region.
Importantly, the programme offers candid insight into what needs to be in place before capital discussions begin, helping businesses avoid wasted time and misaligned funding approaches.
Demo Day to mark official launch
The programme will be officially unveiled at a Demo Day event this spring, bringing together investors, funders, experienced founders and regional partners. Discussions will explore the difference between pitching and being investable, while unpacking what funders actually look for when assessing early-stage businesses.
Attendees will also hear how the High Growth Readiness Programme supports founders on the journey from early traction to investment readiness. Therefore, the event is positioned as a practical introduction rather than a sales-focused showcase.
Founders from West and North Northamptonshire attending the Demo Day will be invited to apply for the upcoming programme cohort. Applications can also be submitted in advance and will be reviewed internally through the Northamptonshire Growth Hub portal.
Pathway into further funding support
The initiative also acts as a gateway into the wider FundingHero ecosystem. High-performing participants may be invited to progress onto the 12-week FundingHero Midlands programme, which begins on 20 March.
Who the programme is for
The Demo Day and programme are aimed at early-stage startups with high-growth ambition, university spinouts and innovation-led businesses. It is also relevant for founders considering angel investment, venture capital or significant debt finance, as well as leadership teams seeking clarity on funding strategy rather than pitch polish.
For Northamptonshire businesses serious about scaling, the High Growth Readiness Programme provides a grounded and informed starting point.
