Panel Session Finance Investment Scaleup Delegate

Location: Stage 1 - Thu, 2 Jul 2026 · 13:15 – 13:55 (Europe/London) (40 minutes)

Capital, Timing & Terms: How later-stage investors really underwrite scale (2026 reality)

Later-stage fundraising is more disciplined than ever. This session explores how investors assess scale, risk, timing and terms, and what founders need to evidence before going to market.

For scaleups raising later-stage capital, success is rarely just about having a strong story. Investors are looking for clear evidence, credible metrics, a well-understood risk profile and a business that can demonstrate why it is ready for the next stage of growth.

This session will unpack how later-stage investors assess opportunities in the current market, what gives them confidence, where deals often come under pressure and how founders can prepare more effectively.

It will offer a candid look at how investment decisions are really made, from commercial traction and financial discipline to process, structure and terms.

Who should attend

This session is for scaleup founders, CFOs, senior leadership teams, investors and advisers involved in growth-stage fundraising.

It will be especially relevant for businesses preparing to raise later-stage capital, considering the right timing for a process, or wanting to understand how investors evaluate scale, risk and readiness in today’s market.

Why it’s relevant

Later-stage fundraising has become more disciplined, more evidence-led and more demanding. Investors are looking closely at the quality of revenue, operational maturity, efficiency, leadership and the business’s ability to de-risk the next phase of growth.

In that environment, raising well depends not only on ambition, but on fit, timing and credibility. Founders often focus on valuation and storytelling, when the real differentiators are usually preparation, clarity and the ability to demonstrate why the business is investable now.

What you’ll take away

You will leave with a clearer understanding of the practical checklist later-stage investors use to assess scaleup opportunities, including the metrics, milestones and risks that matter most.

The session will also highlight common traps around terms and process, and give founders a sharper view of what they should build, evidence or improve over the next eight to twelve weeks in order to strengthen outcomes and run a more effective fundraising process.

Hosted by

Gordon Bateman

Chief Executive Officer at Climb Group

Gordon Bateman is a career company builder who has worked with the investment community for over three decades. Straight from university, he joined a small business that grew internationally and floated on the London Stock Exchange. During that time, he created and led the firm’s emerging-technology practice, supporting early-stage and high-growth companies around the world and partnering with venture capital and private equity…

Speakers

Erin Platts

Chief Executive Officer at Octopus Investments

Erin became CEO of Octopus Investments in September 2025, following her appointment as CEO of Octopus Ventures in January 2025. Prior to Octopus, Erin spent nearly two decades at HSBC Innovation Banking, formerly Silicon Valley Bank UK.

Harry Williams

Technology Investor at Highland Europe

Harry is a technology investor at Highland Europe, a growth equity fund with €3bn+ AUM backing the next generation of global technology leaders across Europe. We make minority investments in software and internet companies in the 'scale-up' phase of growth. Our past investments and portfolio includes n8n, Wolt, Huel, AMCS, Condeco, Nexthink, Camunda, Featurespace, 9Fin, Wordsmith and ~50 others. Prior to joining Highland, Harry advised…

Ian Merricks

Proposition Lead at VenturePath

Ian Merricks founded, scaled and exited a digital media group before moving into early stage investment. He then founded, and chaired The Accelerator Network which supported 1,000+ startups, to accelerate growth from Seed to Series A. Ian was named in the Top 100 Global tech accelerator leaders and was the “Entrepreneurs’ Champion” winner at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. He is now Proposition Lead at VenturePath; the UK's…

Sam Cooper-Gray

Chair, The Gender Index and Founder of The Women are Good Business Campaign at The Wisdom Studio Ltd

Sam Cooper-Gray is a strategist, storyteller, podcaster and fierce advocate for female-led business. As founder of The Wisdom Studio , she helps purpose-driven SMEs grow with clarity, impact, and intention—drawing on 25+ years in global finance, including her role as HSBC's Global Head of SME Strategy. She is the creator and driving force behind Women Are Good Business a national campaign that highlights and amplifies the economic…

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