The Most Common Mistakes Made By Tech Entrepreneurs Raising Series A

In this insightful podcast episode, John O’Connell, Founder& Chairman of ScaleUp Group, shares the most common mistakes tech entrepreneurs make when raising Series A funding (£3m–£10m). Drawing on decades of experience as both an entrepreneur and investor, John O’Connell shares practical advice on how founders can prepare for the rigorous demands of fundraising, emphasising the importance of alignment between board members and founders, and the value of coaching entrepreneurs to become ‘match fit’ before pitching to funds. The conversation highlights the competitive nature of Series A investment, with funds typically reviewing thousands of pitches but investing in only a handful each year. Throughout the discussion, John outlines key areas thatentrepreneurs must address to stand out, including crafting a compelling investment presentation, demonstrating sustainable growth and customer retention, clearly articulating the problem being solved, and providing robustfinancial models. He warns against common pitfalls and reminds us that thorough preparation and honest communication are crucial for attracting investment and building lasting partnerships.