Jane Watson

Most founders build their business like a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing. Execution, scaling, and funding shouldn't feel like separate battles. If you’re bouncing between tools and checklists, you’re not building: you’re just spinning plates. Burnout isn't caused by hard work; it’s caused by fragmented systems. The RESJAM Ecosystem is the behavioral infrastructure for high-performance founders. It’s the engine that scales as you do: 1. Startup OS: Your first 30-day sprint from idea to execution. 2. Pro Membership: The RESJAM Method (Resilience, Energy, Strategy, Journaling, Affirmations, Momentum). 3. AI Executive: Using AI to strip away the operational load. 4. Capital OS: Investor readiness and high-level scaling. Scaling isn’t about working harder: it’s about having a system that supports your growth at every stage. I help founders scale their businesses without burning out. Which stage are you currently navigating? Let's discuss below. #startups #startup #business #entrepreneurs #funding #mindset #founderoperatingsystem #systems

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It's not all doom and gloom. Last week was a corker for British tech. £3bn in VC funding announced by 23 UK startups on Soapbox 🤯 Some of the highlights ⤵︎ • Isomorphic Labs raised a £1.5bn Series B led by Thrive Capital for AI models that design new drug candidates • Fractile unlocked £160m from top VCs to deliver chips built to speed up AI inference workloads • Paymentology announced £130m from Apis Partners and Aspirity Partners for cloud-based card issuing and payment processing infrastructure • Multiverse secured £52m led by Schroders Capital for AI and data upskilling platform for enterprise workforces • Rowden landed £25m in funding from the National Wealth Fund to scale mission-critical national security technology • Iceotope raised a £19m Series B led by Two Seas Capital LP and Barclays Climate Ventures for liquid cooling systems for AI data infrastructure • Adfin landed a £13m Series A led by Index Ventures for agentic business payments and cash management platform • White Circle raised £8m from leading industry angels for platform that monitors AI model behaviour • PANTA unlocked a £3m seed round led by Fuel Ventures 🚀 for cloud-based index creation and portfolio management software -- Hit 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 for the full stories on Soapbox — or subscribe to our weekly newsletter in the comments 🔗

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What does it take to spot great companies? Colin Anderson (former CFO of Palantir, now Co-Founder at Friends & Family Capital) shares lessons from scaling Palantir from $5M in revenue to $20B in valuation: 💡 Landing a seven-figure software contract is a major inflection point. 💡 The leap from $1M → $3–5M ARR is harder than it looks. 💡 Mission matters: Why would the 20th employee join? The 1,000th engineer? A public investor five years after IPO? Full conversation with Colin: https://lnkd.in/gCtYKuhT

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𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 📈 > Internal dynamics, fundraising and leadership were key themes advising our network of start-up founders & wellness brands in July. Each month I share insights from real conversations advising founder clients in our network, I hope they're helpful for anyone navigating the process of building a business. 𝟭. 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗖𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 Early-stage fundraising (Seed & Pre-Seed) is a sales process: ▶️ Volume + consistency of investor conversations are key ▶️ To secure 5–10 committed investors, expect 100 calls or meetings ▶️ Cold outreach is often the most fruitful ▶️ Positive conversations aren’t commitments - keep building new connections until the investment is signed Founder feedback this month: “𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴. 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘣𝘶���� 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 10+ 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧𝘧!” 𝟮. 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗜𝗡-𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 If you’re paying retainers, actively manage the relationship. Start-ups often work with multiple agencies or contractors on retainers, and it’s easy as a founder to forget that they need managing. ▶️ Schedule regular check-ins to maintain momentum ▶️ Keep a live working document for priorities, deliverables, and actions ▶️ Act as a leader - set expectations, give direction, and hold them accountable Your partners should feel like part of your in-house team. Managed well, they’ll be proactive and add real value. 𝟯. 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗡'𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 As a founder, you have to over-index on aligning your team with your vision. Founders often spend months or years immersed in designing the product and imagining the launch. Working with a founder this month, it was clear the team wasn’t fully aligned on the vision, creating execution issues as launch approached. ▶️ Bring the team together regularly, share the vision & discuss the launch ▶️ Reiterate the big picture & invite feedback so everyone feels ownership ▶️ Align all areas (including contractors) under one clear project plan ▶️ Step in to support where needed, but coach team members to grow Bridging this gap builds alignment and cohesion. - Thanks to all the founders who trust our advice, we love working with you 💯 Part Two Agency we help ambitious founders & brands navigate the complex process of building a business in the wellness industry. #founderinsights #wellnessindustry #advisor #strategy #startup

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Access to VC funding for UK scaleups is at a 7 year low. Is Government focussed on this? It's own efforts to guide promising, ambitious companies around investment are hard to understand. Various Government departments and their agencies; public finance initiatives do not focus on helping UK scaleups with investment readiness. Here's a clip from a Government session I was involved with yesterday, for the House of Lords Select Committee, on behalf of The UK ScaleUp Investment Mission highlighting how disjointed this support is. I'm leading the build of VenturePath as the go-to scaleup investment platform to provide nationwide growth support and improved access to investment for UK scaling businesses (£1m+ revenue) as I cannot see this being resolved anywhere within Government. And every quarter we report on how many fewer companies have been able to secure VC funding. Q1-25 was the lowest successive quarter in 28 quarters.

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We set up Onstage (prev. Focal) five years ago to demystify VC funding for anyone thinking about raising. Over those years, we’ve built an UNRIVALLED network of VC partners that engage with us bi-annually 🔥 So, in the true spirit of democratising information, we’re tapping into that network, and asking them the questions founders want to know ahead of a fundraise. I sat with the brilliant Matt Chandler from Octopus Ventures to pick his brains on what he looks for when speaking to early-stage founders (and it’s not your stereotypical signals). Presenting "Road to Demo Day", episode 1. If you’re a founder thinking about a fundraise, there’s less than a week to sign up to Demo Day and get your company in front of our 350+ VC partners - Matt included. I’ll leave the link in the comments. 

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The Chief of Staff role can be a force multiplier—if it’s scoped right. I’ve helped several founders hire and ramp outstanding CoS partners this year. The pattern? High potential, but fuzzy role definition slows down even great hires. So I pulled together the playbook I wish more teams had before they begin the search. ✅ When to hire a CoS (vs. EA or COO) Founders usually reach for a CoS when: • Bandwidth collapses • X-func execution breaks down • Board/investor demands spike • A proxy is needed to extend CEO reach Quick diagnostic: If 80% of the job lives in one function (e.g., Finance or GTM), don’t hire a CoS. Hire that lead. TL;DR Calendar pain → EA Execution thrash → CoS Org complexity → COO 🎯 4 CoS Archetypes (match to your stage) Gatekeeper 🚪 Seed–early A Sets up light systems, protects CEO time, triages chaos. ➡️ Great if you’re drowning in volume, not ready for a full ops team. Operator ⚙️ Series A–B Drives cadence: OKRs, dashboards, x-func projects. ➡️ Best when execution needs structure and lift. Fixer 🧩 Series B–C Backfills gaps, unblocks snarled handoffs, runs initiatives. ➡️ Ideal for fast scaling and growing org complexity. Strategic Partner 🧠 Series C+ Trusted proxy; shapes strategy, board prep, and CEO agenda. ➡️ Only works if the CEO is ready to delegate real judgment. Each archetype brings strengths—and risks if mismatched. Don’t just hire a resume. Hire the right shape for where you are. 🛠️ Define the Role Before You Hire Write a 1-page charter that includes: Whose leverage are we maximizing? Top 3 outcomes (6 months) Decision rights Access + interfaces Success metrics + tenure plan Candidates take the role more seriously—and so will you. 📈 30 / 90 / 180 Day Ramp 30 Days • Shadow CEO • Calendar audit • Async updates • Role vision memo 90 Days • Own a cross-functional initiative • Build lightweight systems • Publish simple scorecard 180 Days • Proxy in at least one domain • Ops cadence runs without micromanagement • Track time reclaimed + org throughput 📊 What to Measure • Founder time reclaimed • Decision cycle compression • % x-func projects on track • Meeting load quality • Calendar density • Thrash reduction • Hiring deferral savings A directional dashboard > perfect one. 🙌 What “Great” Looks Like • High learning velocity • Structured communicator (esp. async) • Low ego, high drive • Influences without authority • Stage-fit > pedigree 🎤 Ask During Interview • Walk me through a system you built • Biggest x-func challenge? • How did you earn trust without authority? Take-home assignment: • Prioritize CEO’s next 2 weeks • Draft a 90-day CoS plan • Identify top 5 operating gaps If you’re about to hire (or re-hire) this role: get crisp first. Because when scoped well, a CoS doesn’t just take work off your plate—they make the plate bigger. If you’ve hired—or been—a CoS, I’d love to hear what worked.

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Pleased to be featured in Pathfounders on the growing Seed to Series A funding gap in the UK. Only ~4–5% of seed-backed startups now reach Series A (down from ~12% in 2020) - as capital becomes more selective and expectations continue to shift. One area worth exploring further is the role of seed extension rounds, giving founders the runway to reach meaningful milestones before raising their next round. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4mQBiB7

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I'm diving into the Beyond Potential podcast vault to resurface an incredible conversation with the inspirational Aimee Bateman. Tomas, Aimee and I discussed the challenges of entrepreneurship, and methods to overcome the doubt, including: - How mentoring can boost your confidence - Why you need to find your 'tribe triangle' - Ways to stay motivated when your brain defaults to the easy route It's a great discussion, with loads of takeaways. 🎧 Have a listen here: https://lnkd.in/esVEPTx7 #Entrepreneurship #Confidence #Motivation #Podcast

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Member News ⬇️ To shed light on the realities of recruitment in fast-growing startups, Powdr sat down with Justin Carpenter, a specialist in building senior teams for early-stage ventures. https://buff.ly/VcXjX0A

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Everyone keeps talking about the UK’s scaleups “thriving”. But sit in a room full of scale up leaders, founders and funders, like I did at the ScaleUp Institute Annual Review the other day, and you hear a different story. Yes, scaleups are optimistic. Yes, AI is everywhere. Yes, international expansion is on everyone’s mind. But the real story? There is still a big gap between ambition and the support needed to scale with confidence. It was a pleasure hearing from people who have shaped this ecosystem for years, and who lead the charge on our scale up journey: Sherry Coutu CBE Stephen Welton CBE Julia Hoggett Sarah Cardell Ana Stewart Ammar Mirza CBE Janet Collyer MBE Tom Adeyoola Michalis Papadakis Matt Hooper Alexandra Depledge, MBE Simon Bumfrey Andy Gray Marvin Fletcher Rogers Different perspectives. Same conclusion. The UK is not short on talent. It is short on the scaffolding that helps scaleups grow stronger and faster. Here is the pattern most founders described: They want to scale. They are integrating AI. They are exploring new markets. They are ready. Then they hit the same three barriers: Finance: Capital exists in theory, but is slow, fragmented and unevenly distributed. Regions: Scaling still depends far too much on where you are based. Capability: AI ambition is high, but practical confidence is not. Everyone talks about growth. Most are still trying to build the basics: consistent support, clear policy, and practical capability. This came through in every conversation. It is also the gap we are focused on at AiBL. Leaders do not need more hype. They need clarity on where AI drives outcomes. They need hands-on examples from peers who have already done it. They need community, not another theoretical keynote. So before we celebrate another “record year of scaleups”, we should pause and ask: Are we giving founders the ability to use AI safely and effectively? Is capital really reaching the right companies at the right time? Are we helping scaleups outside the M25 grow, or making it harder? Are we building an environment where scaling becomes normal? Optimism is good. Capability is better. What did you take away from this year’s ScaleUp Review? What is the biggest blocker you see on the path from growing to scaling? PS. Congratulations to Irene Graham OBE and Richard Herridge for a superb report and event!

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This article captures a sentiment I’ve heard again and again from founders, traditional venture capital often feels disconnected from the realities of execution. Too many funds chase the same trends, reward hype over progress, and offer little operational support once the cheque clears. In the process, real innovation gets lost between pitch decks and funding rounds. Because 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. I agree that we’re entering the era of 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, where investors don’t just fund ideas, they help founders build them. Where operational experience, technical depth, and patient partnership matter more than the size of the fund or the speed of the round. That’s been our model at Arcanys Ventures from the start, investing technical capability, not just capital. Because in the end, 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

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99% of pitch decks get skipped. The 1% that wins? They’re clear, credible, and unforgettable. Most founders think fundraising is a numbers game. But it’s really about strategy and storytelling. Investors don’t just buy equity—they buy trust and clarity. At Boodl, we help founders: ✔ Build decks that stand out ✔ Target the right investors ✔ Turn opportunities into capital 👉 Will your pitch be ignored or remembered? Learn more: www.boodl.icu #Startup #PitchDeck #Fundraising #InvestorReady #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #Boodl

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I am very proud to see TheAX, the start-up I co-founded nearly 2 years ago, featured in ConsultancyUK in response to the significant impact we've made with our clients such as MDC Ventures (Marc Cohen). What stands out to me is the shift in operating model we are enabling, giving them a competitive edge at a time when the consulting industry is going through dramatic changes. This is further evidence of the consulting shift we've been outlining for a while now: the billable hour is becoming outdated and outcome-led consulting is becoming the new standard. TheAX is at the forefront of the change providing the SaaS infrastructure for consultancies to benchmark clients, demonstrate ROI and even charge on a regular subscription basis (CaaS) to enable recurring revenue for themselves. When I left PwC nearly 2 years ago to work full-time on TheAX, it was just a risky idea. Now, the software I've built is rewriting an entire industry's playbook! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/efZ5UqY3 #Consulting #AI #FutureOfWork

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You can massively increase or decrease the value of your tech company by what you do today, even from day one. I've led 50+ exits and I'm going to share the top 10 actions I have seen add £Ms, even £10Ms on to a company's value - and also what destroys value. Join me on this free webinar tomorrow at midday with partner Angel Investment Network and Xavier Ballester Register link in comments below 👇

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A huge thank you to Molly Wood for having me share what we are up to Tessi on her awesome, solutions-focused Everybody in the Pool Podcast. We came a week after Niall Murphy who is doing fascinating work on adaptation at Morphosis. In the episode, we dive into: ✅ Why disaster recovery is slow, fragmented, and vulnerable to fraud ✅ How AI + aerial imagery + frontline visuals can deliver damage estimates in 24 hours ✅ Moving from reactive payouts to coordinated, resilient rebuilding ✅ What it will take to help 1 million homes recover faster If you care about climate resilience, insurance innovation, or practical AI that solves real-world problems, this conversation is for you. Link to full episode in the comments. #ClimateTech #AI #DisasterRecovery #InsurTech #PropTech #Leadership #Innovation

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From the 100+ interviews we've done with consultants doing due diligence for PE clients over the past year, the pain points they were experiencing were pretty clear: time wasted on tasks that simply don't add value but are 'necessary' to get you to the answer clients need. Here at Aqmen AI, we are tackling those to ensure we free up their time to become faster and spend more time on the thinking part. This in turn creates more exhaustive end-products and robust answers. Some examples of problems we've solved: 1️⃣ Structure a market model in a way that is easy to understand and communicate (ie driver tree) ✅ 2️⃣ Create a zero-defect working Excel model (ie 30' vs 3 days) ✅ 3️⃣ Populate assumptions doing desktop research at scale so they get to find sources, values and visualise charts quickly (ie 15' vs 1 day) ✅ 4️⃣ Make changes to the market model without breaking any formulas ✅ ... and many other smaller tasks... However, one strong piece of feedback remained: "I always need to clean up messy data, and they normally come from the same sources..." Well, not anymore 😁 Next week we are opening a private beta for some of our customers to launch a new module called the Data Cleaning Agent — where a set of agents helps you clean up data from the sources you rely on most. Think US Census Bureau, ONS, and others we're adding to the list. The result? What used to take half a day of manual reformatting is down to minutes — you confirm the cuts you want, and it's ready to drop straight into your model. 🚀 Excited to get this in front of our first beta users — if you're working on commercial due diligence and want early access, drop me a message.

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