BlazingRed: Equity and Fundraising

Getting equity right.
Raising capital smarter.

Two challenges every founder faces, the risks of getting them wrong, and why any mistakes compound over time

The Challenge

Two challenges. Every founder. Every stage.

Equity is the most powerful commercial tool a founder has. It attracts co-founders, motivates key hires, secures advisors, and determines who benefits when the company succeeds. Raising capital is the fuel that lets you build faster than your competition. Both are consequential. Both are consistently mishandled at early stage. And both become exponentially more expensive to fix the longer they are left.

BlazingRed works with founders navigating both of these challenges, helping you understand your options, structure the right approach for your stage, and connect you with the expertise and tools that will make the difference.

Equity decisions made too fast

Most co-founders make their first equity decision in a twenty-minute conversation. That decision follows them for the next ten years.

Cap tables that kill funding rounds

A messy, fragmented, or poorly documented cap table is one of the most common reasons investor conversations stall before they start.

EMI schemes not in place

The most tax-efficient employee equity scheme in the UK and most early stage founders either do not have one or have one that is not correctly set up.

SEIS and EIS opportunities missed

UK founders raising at seed stage leave significant investor tax advantages on the table by not getting SEIS Advance Assurance before they raise.

Dilution misunderstood

Founders who do not model their fully diluted cap table before each round consistently end up with less than they expected at exit.

Raising at the wrong time

Premature scaling is the leading cause of startup failure. Understanding when and how much to raise is as important as the raise itself.

How We Can Help

Two services. One conversation to start.

BlazingRed works with founders across two distinct but connected areas. Whether you are trying to get your equity house in order or preparing to raise your next round, we start with an honest conversation about where you are and what you actually need.

Equity Management

Getting your equity structure right

From your founding equity split through to EMI schemes, growth shares, and managing shareholders at scale. Equity management is not an administrative task. It is a strategic one, and the decisions you make early determine the options you have later.

  • Co-founder equity structure and vesting schedules
  • EMI scheme setup and HMRC valuation
  • Growth shares and hurdle rate design
  • Cap table management and investor-ready documentation
  • Shareholder communication and governance
  • Option pool design and management
  • Exit modelling and waterfall analysis
Fundraising

Raising capital at the right stage

From SEIS Advance Assurance and your first angel round through to EIS, Series A, and the commercial narrative that makes investors say yes. Fundraising is a commercial process and the founders who treat it that way close rounds faster and on better terms.

  • SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance
  • Investment readiness and data room preparation
  • Cap table structuring for investor due diligence
  • Commercial narrative for fundraising pitch
  • Angel investor and early stage VC introductions
  • Term sheet review and commercial guidance
  • Post-raise commercial planning and milestone setting

How it works: You complete the enquiry form below. BlazingRed contacts you for an initial conversation to understand your situation and what you need. We then connect you with the right expertise and tools for your specific stage and challenge. There is no obligation and no cost to the initial conversation.

Why This Matters

The numbers behind the challenge

74%
of high-growth startups fail due to premature scaling
50%
of founders make their equity split without legal advice
£250k
max SEIS investment per company. Most founders do not claim it.
92
days to notify HMRC of an EMI grant. Most founders miss the window.
£60k
per employee available under CSOP, largely unknown outside London
Get in Touch

Tell us where you are

Complete the form below and we will be in touch to arrange an initial conversation. No cost, no obligation. Just an honest discussion about your situation and how we can help.

By submitting this form you agree to BlazingRed contacting you about your enquiry. Your details are used solely to respond to your enquiry and will not be shared without your consent. BlazingRed Limited, Old Bank House, 57 Church Street, Staines TW18 4XS.

Thank you for getting in touch

We will be in touch within one working day to arrange an initial conversation. In the meantime if you have any questions you can reach us at hello@blazingred.co.uk or on 020 4514 6333.