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Corporate Finance Faculty

Start-ups, scale-ups and venture capital

Attracting investment for start-ups and scale-ups, and case studies of high-growth companies.
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Topical articles

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Insider dealing: Business for all seasons
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2025
Mobeus Equity Partners’ investment in Active Travel Group was rooted in a conviction that active travel is not merely a trend, but a reflection of changing consumer priorities. Jason Sinclair reports.
Henry Whorwood is head of research and consultancy at Beauhurst, the data and analytics company with a focus on high growth companies and a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty
Back to normal?
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2025
Investment may have fallen and valuations dropped for early stage companies but, says Beauhurst’s Henry Whorwood, these two things actually offer hope for such businesses.
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Insight: CDFIs
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
Addressing the funding gap for small businesses, often women- or ethnic minority-led, has been a perennial problem as they fail to meet banks’ lending risk profiles. We look at community development finance institutions, an initiative with its roots in 1970s Chicago.
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Insight: valuations
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
Dealmakers have had to cope with uncertainty for several years, but the constantly changing US tariff levels are creating new levels of unpredictability. How is that flowing into M&A valuations?
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Long read: Mitigating supply chain risk
  • Article
  • 10 Jul 2025
Resilience and ESG in supply chains have long been a focus for acquirers, but the US tariffs and Middle East troubles have thrust complex issues into the spotlight. David Prosser looks at how firms are mitigating global supply-chain risk in choppy waters.
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Trendwatch: agriculture
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2025
Agriculture has been thrust into the spotlight with security of food supply and inheritance tax changes fuelling media interest. But what is going on with investment in the sector?
Henry Whorwood is head of research and consultancy at Beauhurst, the data and analytics company with a focus on high growth companies and a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty
Henry Whorwood on early-stage investment
  • Article
  • 10 Mar 2025
Early-stage investment is slowing. There may be local headwinds, but are we at the right stage of the cycle for VC exits, asks Beauhurst’s Henry Whorwood.
Jackie Bowie, managing partner and head of European business at Chatham Financial, a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty
Jackie Bowie on interest rates
  • Article
  • 10 Feb 2025
The outlook is positive for M&A, says Jackie Bowie, but interest rates need to continue on a downward trajectory – and no more shocks please.
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Practical guidance

Read the Corporate Finance Faculty's good practice guidelines and technical releases on start-ups, venture capital and other aspects of corporate finance.
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AI in corporate finance
  • Hub page
  • 23 Sep 2024
The Corporate Finance Faculty have brought together insights and resources on how AI is being used in corporate finance to help you better understand the application benefits and risks, as well as the practical considerations as you begin to revolutionise how deals are done.
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Commercial due diligence
  • Report
  • 08 Sep 2025
This guideline explores how commercial due diligence (CDD) contributes to the investment decision-making process, the best practices and emerging trends that can enhance its quality and effectiveness, and the responsibilities of the various parties involved.
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Business Finance Guide
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 01 Jun 2016
This independent guide draws on the expertise of partners from across the finance industry and business community to provide information on the financing options that may be available to entrepreneurs, startups and businesses at every stage of development.
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