Funding the next chapter

What does it really mean to take on external investment, and how do you know if it is the right move for your business?

In episode three of this three-part Sofa Stories x Clearwater special, we focus on funding the next chapter and explore what raising external investment actually looks like in practice. Joined by Mark Taylor, CEO of Clearwater, and Christopher Jones, Managing Partner, we unpack how business owners should think about funding growth, acquisitions and long-term strategy.

From venture capital and private equity to debt, family offices and secondary buyouts, this episode looks at how to navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape and, crucially, how to choose the right type of capital for your business and your goals. 

This episode explores: 

• Why the first question to ask is not “how much?” but “why?”
• The different types of investors and what they are really looking for
• How to align the right capital provider with your strategy and culture
• The trade-offs between debt and equity, and when dilution can be worth it
• What investors expect from management teams, data and financial models
• Why valuation is only part of the story when raising investment

Whether you are considering external investment for the first time, planning a buy-and-build strategy, or thinking about funding the next phase of growth, this episode offers practical, experience-led insight from advisers who help business owners navigate investment decisions every day.

Contact Clearwater;

Website: clearwatercf.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearwater-corporate-finance/

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