Cosmic Conversations
B2B tech startup growth insights from the UK’s top VCs.
Join Matthew Codd, an experienced SaaS sales expert, as he interviews the UK's leading VC's to discover the state of the current investment landscape and to give startup founders they insights they need to scale successfully. From how to pitch to knowing if VC or Angel is right for you, we give you the inside track from those leading startup investment.
This is Cosmic Conversations.
Cosmic Conversations
How to avoid the head of sales hire before £1m ARR with Richard Harley from Blackfinch Ventures
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Why do some startups stand out to investors while others struggle to raise?
I sit down with Richard Harley, Ventures Director at Blackfinch Ventures, to uncover how VCs really evaluate founders, traction, and the difference between innovation and hype.
Richard shares what makes a pitch stand out, looking at founder mindset and the early signs of product–market fit that separate investable startups from the rest. He explains why Blackfinch rarely backs pre-revenue businesses and how traction and data shape investment decisions.
We also dig into the biggest post-funding mistakes founders make, like hiring a Head of Sales too early, and why founder-led sales are often still critical up to £1 million ARR. Richard talks about what he expects to see in early-stage AI companies, and how VCs balance backing ambition with protecting founders from unnecessary pressure.
Find out more:
Richard Harley (guest)
Connect with Richard on LinkedIn
Find out more about the Blackfinch Ventures
Matthew Codd (host)
Find out more about my business, Cosmic Partners
