Founding a startup is a rollercoaster ride. You're passionate, innovative, and ready to disrupt. But securing funding can feel like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops. Traditional VC rounds are becoming increasingly competitive, leaving many consumer brands in fundraising purgatory.

This is why we designed the MFG Fundraising Programme. This highly selective 4-week hybrid program is designed to equip growth-stage founders like you with the capital, connections, and confidence to supercharge your marketing and branding efforts. Helping you preserve cash while amplifying reach.

👥 15+ media investors and industry leaders

🗓️ 2 hours, 2x per week over 4 weeks - Starts on Tuesday, May 14th - ends on Thursday, June 6th

🤝 Investors Office Hours

📹 Online, bite-sized workshops tailored for busy founders

🎤 AMAs with experienced Media Capital founders

🍾 In-person Startups & Investors networking events in London

Applications for the second edition are now open. Submit yours here._‍

It requires 5 minutes to fill out the form and we are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. We encourage founders to apply early.

To do this, we are partnering with leading European and UK broadcasters and publishers including RTL AdAlliance (reaching 150+ million viewers daily), German Media Pool, dmg ventures, UKTV Ventures, Channel 4 Ventures, ITV AdVentures, Thinkbox, JCDecaux and The Outfit.

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Who is this for?

• Growth-stage founders planning to scale in the UK (including UK-based startups) and who are serious about brand-building.

• Revenue-generating startups that have a proven business model across all sectors.

• Startups seeking investment in the next 6-9 months with growing marketing spending.

• Diverse, mixed-gender teams.
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Why are we doing this?

Consumer-focused startups can have a hard time raising funding to cover their marketing costs across traditional, like TV, and digital media channels. This makes it difficult for them to reach their end consumers. Through media capital deals, startups can raise in-kind advertising funding from media companies in exchange for equity, without having to worry about spending their raised investment on placing ads where they matter most.
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Hear from our alumni:‍

André Sousa, founder of Tryp.com, is a 2023 alumnus of the MFG Fundraising Programme - and it has “opened a lot of doors for him” (his words, not ours).

“We never thought we’d be able to deploy TV advertisements in the coming years because it was very expensive and we didn’t know who to talk to about it,” he explains.

Here’s what he had to say:

Here's what you can expect:

• Fast-track your fundraising journey: Forget the VC marathon. Media capital offers a complementary funding option to traditional models, providing you with the in-kind resources you need to scale and extend your operational runway. Think amplified reach, specialized expertise, and a faster path to success.

• Network with the who's who: Gain exclusive access to MFG's extensive network of top media capital investors, media experts, and founders who've already blazed the media capital trail. Connect, share experiences, and glean valuable insights from these industry heavyweights. Plus, rub shoulders with leading European and UK VC funds – all under one roof.

• Ditch the jargon, and get real results: No more fluff, just actionable advice and practical tools. Our bite-sized online and live sessions are designed to be efficient and effective. Get direct, no-BS guidance from experienced professionals, busting media jargon and equipping you with the confidence to confidently navigate the funding landscape.

• This isn't just another program – it's an investment in your future. The MFG Fundraising Programme culminates in a powerhouse networking event in London, bringing together over 100 investors, media companies, and founders. It's your chance to forge valuable connections, explore new avenues for support, and collaborate with industry leaders.

It’s the perfect way to take control of your growth journey with Media Capital.
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Key dates:

• April 14 - Applications close
• April 28 - Shortlisted companies notified
• May 13 - The programme starts
• May 13 -June 7th - twice-a-week sessions and workshops
• June 6 - Investors and startups networking event
• June onwards - Post-programme fundraising support

We’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis!