Raising Investment: Webinar Recording
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August, 2026
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
Raising your first round is where most founders lose time, equity, or both. In this free webinar, Michael Buckworth, founder of Buckworths, walks through how investment actually works for UK start-ups: where the money comes from, how SEIS and EIS tax reliefs make your business attractive to investors, and what documentation you need in place before you take a single meeting. The session was recorded live on 19 August 2026 and runs for one hour, including a Q&A with founders.
What the webinar covers
- The key sources of investment available to UK start-ups, from angels and syndicates to venture capital and grant funding
- How SEIS and EIS tax reliefs work, and why they matter more to your investors than to you
- Company and investor qualification requirements for SEIS and EIS, and the mistakes that disqualify businesses without them realising
- Investment documentation explained: term sheets, subscription agreements, shareholders’ agreements and articles
- Insider tips for avoiding the fundraising pitfalls Michael sees most often
- How to position your business to secure the right funding, not just any funding
Who this is for
- Founders raising a first round of investment
- Early-stage businesses checking whether they qualify for SEIS or EIS
- Entrepreneurs who want a clear, practical overview of the UK investment landscape before speaking to investors
Key takeaways from the session
Investment is a legal process, not just a pitch
Most founders focus on the deck and the numbers. The deal is won or lost in the paperwork: what you agree in the term sheet shapes control, dilution and your ability to raise again.
SEIS and EIS are your strongest selling point
Advance assurance from HMRC changes the conversation with UK angels. It reduces their downside risk substantially, and businesses that have it get taken more seriously than those that do not.
Qualification is easier to lose than to gain
Certain share structures, trading activities and prior funding decisions can disqualify a company from SEIS or EIS relief. Getting the structure right early is far cheaper than fixing it later.
Clean cap tables raise faster
Investors carry out diligence on your share register. Undocumented promises, missing paperwork and informal agreements slow deals down and reduce valuations.
Watch the recording
The full recording is above. If you would rather attend live, our next founder webinar is listed on our events page.
Speak to a start-up lawyer
Buckworths is the only UK law firm working exclusively with start-ups and scale-ups. If you are preparing to raise, we can help with SEIS and EIS advance assurance, investment documentation and getting your cap table investor-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is the webinar recording free to watch?
Yes. The recording is free and requires no registration.
What are SEIS and EIS?
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are UK government schemes offering income tax and capital gains tax reliefs to individuals investing in qualifying early-stage companies. They make UK start-ups significantly more attractive to angel investors.
Does my company qualify for SEIS or EIS?
Qualification depends on your trading activity, age, gross assets, employee numbers and share structure. Many companies assume they qualify and find out otherwise during investor diligence. We recommend seeking advance assurance from HMRC before you start raising.
What investment documentation do I need?
Typically a term sheet, a subscription agreement, a shareholders’ agreement and updated articles of association, alongside board and shareholder resolutions and Companies House filings.
How long is the webinar?
Approximately one hour, including the live Q&A.
When is the next Buckworths webinar?
We run free founder webinars monthly. Details are on our events page.
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