Focal

Focal is a UK-based platform that streamlines early-stage fundraising for startups. They host bi-annual demo days where thousands of leading VCs and angel investors gather to hear pitches from pre-qualified pre-seed, seed, and Series A startups. Focal’s unique approach, which includes a streamlined application process and a focus on connecting founders with a vast network of investors, has helped alumni companies raise over £115m in funding.

In addition to their main demo day, Focal also runs Focal Deploy, an annual event where VCs pitch their funds to top-tier LPs. This event provides a platform for VCs to build hype for their funds and connect with potential investors. Through these events, Focal positions itself as a central hub for the UK and European tech ecosystem, fostering collaboration between founders, investors, and LPs.

Focal is a company dedicated to simplifying and accelerating early-stage fundraising. Their mission is to create a global hub for startups, VCs, and angel investors, providing efficient information exchange and facilitating better connections between founders and funders. Through streamlined processes, meritocratic selection, and transparent communication, Focal aims to accelerate the fundraising journey and drive better results for all stakeholders.

Focal fosters a collaborative and meritocratic culture within the startup ecosystem. They champion transparency and efficiency in the fundraising process, aiming to connect the top 1% of startups with leading VCs and angel investors. This is achieved by providing a platform where founders can showcase their vision in front of a large audience of potential investors, while also offering VCs a chance to pitch their funds to top-tier LPs. This open and accessible approach emphasizes a shared goal of growth and success within the UK and European tech sectors.

Focal is a company that actively promotes diversity, equity and inclusion by building a network of investors and startups from various backgrounds. This is evident in their testimonials which highlight the diverse group of founders and investors they have helped connect, their commitment to surfacing the best companies regardless of background, and their mission to democratize fundraising and provide equal playing fields. While specific diversity initiatives or metrics are not explicitly stated on the website, the company's approach clearly emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and access in the startup ecosystem.