Applications are Closed
A Free Programme to Raise Media Capital Effectively.
Fund Marketing Costs.
Amplify Reach and Expand Operational Runway.
Programme starts on May 14th, 2024
In collaboration with
Our 2023 Impact
90+
Media Companies, Consumer VCs and Founders
£17m
Secured in media capital commitments
50+
Hours of 1:1 coaching and investors meetings
A highly selective programme for growth-stage founders looking for capital solutions to finance marketing and branding costs.
Offering a blend of online sessions, and in-person gatherings covering media and fundraising strategies from seasoned consumer investors.
For UK and European, post-revenue startups seeking to scale in the UK and raise investment in the next 6-9 months.
Culminating in a 100+ consumer investors, media companies and founders networking event live in London to explore new avenues for support and collaboration.
Founder Benefits
Fund marketing costs effectively
Raise your first round of media capital investment faster by following a structured process and refined templates. It requires 4 hours per week for 4 weeks covering mass-media and investment masterclasses.
Connect with the right investors
Get exposed to some of the largest media capital investors in the UK and Europe. Learn how the different funds work, how to structure a media capital deal, and how to make the most of your media campaign.
Achieve higher capital runway, Amplify reach
Accelerate your brand's growth in the UK and Europe, preserving cash and tapping into the unrivalled audience of our media companies reaching 150+ million viewers daily. Entry to leading European and UK VC funds and alternative forms of financing.
Free Admission
Unlike other similar programmes and startup accelerators that charge up to $40,000 and take up to 10% equity to attend, the programme doesn’t charge founders a fee to join. Learn more.
Discover more capital solutions to fund marketing costs effectively
Testimonials
What We Look for in Founders
Every cohort is limited to up to 15 applicants so we can provide the best targets support possible.
UK and International Startups
Growth-stage founders planning to scale in the UK (including UK-based startups) and who are serious about brand-building.
Sector-Agnostic
Relevancy for the end consumer in the mass market or strong niche markets, that we can reach and address via both traditional and digital channels.
Post-Revenue
Revenue-generating, and consistent YoY growth with a proven business model.
Growing marketing spending
Seeking investment in the next 6-9 months with growing marketing spending
11 workshops. Media Capital Investor Office Hours. Consumer VCs & Founders Networking Events. A cumulative reach of 200+ million daily viewers
Application Open: February 26
We review applications as they come, so we encourage founders to apply early.
For any questions, please check the FAQs section below.
Application Close:
April 14
After completing the application form, the shortlisted companies will be invited
for a short interview. Finalists will be notified at the end of April.
Programme Starts:
May 14
May 14, 2024
Programme starts
Week 1 Hybrid Sessions
- Strategies for Maximising Media Impact: Navigating European Consumption Trends and Advertising Spend
- Media Capital Investor Office Hour
- Funding your marketing budget: Media Capital and Specialised Capital Solutions to Fund Marketing Costs
Week 2 Online Sessions
- How can linear and digital TV supercharge small businesses? Part I: The Perceived Barriers to Using TV
- How can linear and digital TV supercharge small businesses? Part II: Scale with TV: How media solutions evolve through a startup’s growth journey
- Media Capital Investor Office Hour
- Making a TV Ad and How to Signal Success to Investors and Customers
- Speaking the Media Investors’ Lingo: How to value media service, and what goes into a TV media plan
Week 3 Online Session
- Amplify your digital channels with OOH and Radio
Part II: What you need to know about radio advertising when you’re starting out - Media Capital Investor Office Hour
- Understanding the role of media capital throughout a startup growth
Week 4 Hybrid Sessions
- Media Capital Investor Office Hour
- How Do Media Capital Funds Assess Investment Opportunities?
- Negotiating Media Capital Terms & Transaction Economics
- Media Capital Investor Office Hour
- How to create an effective PR strategy to achieve startup funding success
- Leveraging domestic media investments to build long-term momentum abroad
Investors & Startups Networking Event:
w/c June 3
See pictures from our 2023 Event
MFG Official Investors and Startups Event
After an engaging programme, founders, MFG Fund members, selected venture capitalists and finance institutions will gather for a dynamic networking event in London to explore new avenues for support and collaboration.
Be part of our next cohort
Programme Partners and Inventors
mediaforgrowth is the official media capital data platform and advisory firm specialised in media for equity fundraising. We are the first port of call for founders looking for capital solutions to fund marketing costs. Our partners network includes some of the world’s largest media groups and most active investors such as RTL, The Times Group, ITV, UKTV (BBC Studios), Channel 4 Ventures, Daily Mail Group Ventures, German Media Pool, providing a cumulative reach of 1bn+ people. For more information, visit www.mediaforgrowth.co.
RTL AdAlliance, a premier advertising powerhouse, connects global brands to over 150 million European TV viewers daily through top-tier video content. Selected MFG Founders will benefit from access to RTL AdAlliance's regional and international experts, media inventory, market insights, competitive analysis, and guided workshops for crafting and implementing an effective media plan. As a subsidiary of Bertelsmann-owned RTL Group, RTL AdAlliance is part of the world's leading entertainment company across broadcast, streaming, content and digital.
FAQs
What is media capital?
Media capital also known as media for equity, media for growth, is a financing option that allows founders to accelerate their growth through significant advertising in exchange for an equity stake in the business.
What is the MFG Fundraising programme?
The MFG Fundraising Programme is a free-to-join, 4-week, hybrid programme for growth-stage founders to accelerate the completion of their media capital funding rounds in the UK.
How is it different from a traditional investment readiness programme?
The MFG Fundraising Programme is a specialised programme for growth-stage founders who are serious about brand building and need capital solutions to fund marketing costs. The sessions are two-fold providing both a good foundation into the UK and European mass-media landscape whilst covering key principles about media capital fundraising, what investors look for, how to prepare for DD, and term sheet negotiations.
- This programme is NOT for pre-seed companies aiming to raise a seed round. Read more about what startups we look for in the section below.
- Issuance of equity is not required for participation.
- The programme includes a shorter time commitment than most accelerators. Most accelerators are 10-12 weeks; this programme is 4 weeks.
- Each cohort will only include up to 15 companies allowing for a much more tailored, 1:1 approach, so no one-size-fits-all programming.
- The focus of the programme is to optimise media capital fundraising.
Why should I consider raising media capital?
- get access to preferential rates and the ability to influence the campaign planning;
- preserve cash and extend your runway;
- work with an experienced team that understands both worlds, the online performance, and the offline branding approach
How Does the Application Process Work?
The application process for our investment readiness programme is straightforward. To apply, you will need to:
- Fill out our online application form
- We may request additional documents, such as pitch decks or financial statements, to better assess your startup's potential
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to delve deeper into their business
- Final decision will be communicated to all applicants two weeks before the start of the programme
What startups are you looking for?
- Growth-stage founders planning to scale in the UK (including UK-based startups) and who are serious about brand-building
- Revenue-generating (>50% YoY growth), that have a proven business model
- Seeking investment in the next 6-9 months with growing marketing spending
- Relevancy for the end consumer in the mass market or strong niche markets, that we can reach and address via both traditional and digital channels
- Sector-agnostic. Some of the most popular focus areas we cover: Travel, Gen AI, Sports, Femtech, Financial Services, Edtech, e-commerce, consumer goods
How long does the programme last?
The programme lasts for four weeks, with a combination of online workshops, two offline sessions at the start and end of the programme, and in-person networking event at the end of the 4th week, to ensure participants receive comprehensive guidance and support.
Where does the programme take place?
MFG Fundraising Programme is a hybrid programme. The kick-off and end of programme sessions, as well as the Investors & Startup Networking Event, take place in London. The rest of the sessions are scheduled virtually and founders don’t need to relocate.
What is the overall time commitment for the programme?
In addition to the two in-person meetings and the Investors and Startups Gathering taking place at the end of the programme, founders can expect three to five hours/per week of scheduled virtual content during the 4 remote weeks. Discussions with the MFG team to scope out potential partnerships will happen ad-hoc throughout the programme.
What can I expect from the workshops?
- 1.5-2h interactive webinars delivered by media investors and industry experts
- Covering the most important topics on the state of the media industry in the UK and Europe, as well as the fundraising mechanics of media capital
- Live AMA with seasonal founders who raised media capital
- Investors' presentations where we delve deeper into their investment thesis and media properties
Make sure to explore the timeline and curriculum for a better understanding of the diverse topics covered throughout the programme.
What are the main benefits of joining the programme?
- Meet Decision-Makers: Engage with top-tier media capital investors via expert panels and one-to-one sessions who have the influence and ability to fund ambitious marketing campaigns. Some of the world’s largest media companies are our partners including RTL, ITV, Channel 4, Daily Mail Group, and UKTV among others.
- Tailored Investment: Expect to meet investors whose investment criteria align with your startup's stage and sector.
- Media & Investment Masterclasses: Attend sessions focused on leveraging media capital to maximize market penetration and customer acquisition.
- Industry Insights & Feedback: Gain valuable insights into current market trends and investor expectations, helping you to tailor your fundraising documents accordingly.
- Peer Exchange: Network with fellow entrepreneurs who raised media capital to learn from their experience, share strategies, and possibly form partnerships.
- Opportunity to present and connect live at the MFG Event in front of 100+ investors and founders.
- The programme is free to join.
Is there a cost to participate?
Unlike other similar programmes and startup accelerators that charge up to $40,000 and take up to 10% equity to attend, MCIRP doesn’t charge founders a fee to join. The programme charges a standard service fee of 3-5% of the capital that the startups raised from programme investors. The fee is due only if they raise the capital. Depending on the company's situation, we provide the option to convert the commission fee into stock options.
Does the MFG Fundraising Programme take equity?
No, we don’t take any equity for participation in the programme, although our goal is to help growth-stage founders secure media capital lead investors, and co-investors and accelerate the completion of their media capital round.
What are the selection criteria for the programme?
Selection criteria may include factors such as the viability of the business model, growth potential, traction, team expertise, and alignment with the programme's goals. Therefore, after completing the application form, the shortlisted companies will be invited for a short interview where we look to understand more about your business and your fundraising goals.
Will the programme help me secure funding for my startup?
Yes, the programme is designed to help startups enhance their investment readiness and increase their chances of securing funding. While funding cannot be guaranteed, we equip startups with valuable knowledge, skills, and connections to attract potential investors. Our programme focuses on providing startups with the tools they need to raise media capital effectively, achieve a higher capital runway, amplify their reach, and gain specialized advertising expertise, all of which contribute to their fundraising efforts.
What types of resources and support will be provided?
The programme provides a range of resources and support, including mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and media experts, access to workshops and educational materials, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and potential introductions to relevant investors.
How many startups will be accepted into the programme?
The number of startups accepted into the programme may vary based on capacity and our programme requirements. However, we strive to maintain a manageable cohort size of 15-20 to ensure personalised attention and meaningful interactions.
What if I bootstrap? Can I still join the programme?
We welcome startups at different stages of funding, including those who are bootstrapping. Apply and our selection process will consider these factors.