Start ups guide to Series A funding in the UK

You’ve started a business in the UK and have managed to take the first steps in getting your start-up off the ground - so what’s next?

To scale up operations and grow your company, you might need investment. This is where equity funding comes in. You may have already benefited from it through seed funding from a venture capital firm, angel investor or crowdfunding, using the money to turn your concept into a viable product or service. The next stage may be to seek further investment, available in funding rounds including Series A, B, C and D.

Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Series A funding, ideal if you’re a new startup looking to take the next step. This includes typical Series A funding amounts and investors, requirements and how to successfully get funding at this stage.

So let’s dive right in.

What is Series A funding?

Series A funding is aimed at start-ups with high growth potential. It’s designed to help new companies to accelerate expansion, whether that’s through scaling business operations, optimising processes, entering new markets or bringing in new people.

Securing this funding is a pivotal stage for startups looking to drive forward their plans for growth. It can also pave the way for future funding rounds such as Series B and Series C, which could eventually lead to milestones such as going public or preparing for acquisitions.

What’s the difference between seed funding and Series A funding?

Seed funding is typically the first stage of funding for startups, while Series A follows once the company is established and looking to expand.

Seed funding is designed for startups at the concept stage, helping them turn ideas and prototype products into a viable and operating business. It is typically provided by venture capitalist firms and angel investors, although some startups make use of crowdfunding platforms to raise seed capital.

Series A funding is the first major institutional investment for a new company, and is nearly always provided by venture capitalist investors. Where seed funding helps a company get started, Series A investment is designed to push startups to the next level of growth.

Series A investors

So who provides Series A funding? It’s primarily provided by venture capital (VC) firms, whose investments are designed to nurture, launch and grow startups. In fact, some of the world’s biggest companies owe their success to early venture capital investment.

Venture capital investment supports the development and the future viability and profitability of the companies.

Funding typically works in cycles, or rounds of investment, which are usually around 5-7 years - and they start with Series A.

Series A funding amounts - how much is typically invested?

Series A funding is usually in the region of £2 million to £10 million,¹ although it can vary depending on the needs, goals and stage of the business - and of course, how much investors are willing to provide.

This represents a substantial investment, and is considerably more than the sums invested at the seed funding stage (usually around £100,000 to £2 million).¹

How to get Series A funding

Now we come to the important part - how to successfully get Series A funding. It’s crucial to understand the requirements of investors, in terms of the startup profiles they typically invest in and what they’re looking for as an ideal Series A candidate.

It’s also important to remember that Series A funding represents a major step up compared to the seed funding stage. Investors will be carrying out thorough due diligence checks, so you’ll need to have all of your financial details and documents in order.

Series A funding requirements

In order to pitch for Series A funding, startups must have the following ready¹:

• A strong data-backed pitch deck and strategic growth plan, to convey the company’s high growth potential to investors
• A scalable business model and comprehensive business plan
• Impressive growth metrics, demonstrating year-on-year revenue growth
• Detailed financial and legal documentation
• Evidence of compliance with regulatory standards, such as GDPR for example
• A carefully thought-out term sheet, clearly outlining the valuation, deal terms and equity stake for potential investors. Founders should also decide in advance whether they’re willing to negotiate on any of these terms, for the sake of securing investment.

How to prepare for Series A funding - step-by-step

The key to securing Series A funding is extensive preparation. Your business needs to be ready with every metric, detail and document that an investor asks for. The more prepared you can be, the more investor confidence you’ll earn.

To get ready to pitch, here are the essential steps every startup will need to follow²:

1. Get your documentation in order - from fine-tuning your business plan to double-checking your financial metrics.
2. Build an effective pitch deck - this communicates your company’s value proposition and growth potential. Aim to showcase your user base, revenue projections and market opportunity, and don’t forget to demonstrate your company’s strong leadership.
3. Get your company valued - the valuation will include factors like annual recurring revenue, potential market reach and growth trajectory.
4. Prepare your term sheet - this should include the key terms of the deal, including the company’s valuation and equity stake. The assistance of a specialist solicitor would be very useful at this stage.
5. Identify potential investors - look for venture capital firms with an investment profile that matches your company. Take into account the VC’s experience, investment focus and funding preference. Look for a strategic fit, as this can be important if you’re working together in the future.
6. Engage with Series A investors - leverage your contacts and professional networks to start making contact with potential investors. You can also utilise industry events and online platforms, as well as approaching fellow startup founders for leads.
7. Negotiate the terms of the deal, and close the round- this is the final stage, and it can be the most nerve-wracking for founders. You’ll need legal assistance to negotiate the deal terms and organise all legal and financial documents. If all goes well, the round is closed and funding is secured.

Series A funding timeline - how long does it take?

The time it takes to secure Series A funding really depends on the startup, investor and the terms of the deal. Due diligence and structuring the deal can both take quite a while, especially if third parties are involved.

You’ll also spend several months preparing for the pitch, as valuation and preparing your pitch deck can both be time-consuming tasks.

But generally speaking, the average Series A funding timeline is between 2 and 20 weeks.³

Grow your company and go global with Wise Business

While you’re researching funding options for your startup or small business, it’s also worth making sure you’re set up with the right business account. Open a Wise Business account and you can hold and exchange 40+ currencies at once.

You can send fast, secure payments to 140+ countries, and get account details to get paid in 8+ currencies like a local.

Whenever you need to send, spend or exchange foreign currencies, you’ll benefit from the mid-market exchange rate, with low, transparent fees.

You’ll also benefit from all of these features with Wise Business:

• No ongoing fees, minimum balance requirements or foreign transaction fees
• Debit and expense cards for you and your team, which you can use in 150+ countries
• Multi-user access for team members, with ways to control and manage permissions
• Pay up to 1,000 people at once with the Wise batch payments feature
• Integrate with your favourite cloud accounting solutions
• Use the powerful Wise API for automation and streamlining workflow
• Take advantage of Wise Interest to make your funds work harder when you’re not using them (capital at risk).

With a truly global account, you’ll be all set to grow your business worldwide.

Get started with Wise Business 🚀

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

After reading our startups guide to Series A funding, you should have a better idea of typical investors and investment amounts, the timeline for securing funding and the key requirements.

You can use this information to start your own preparations for Series A funding. Good luck!

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 28-April-2025