The very beginnings of Considered Capital and the rise of the zebra.
The very beginnings of Considered Capital and the rise of the zebra.
The very beginnings of Considered Capital and the rise of the zebra.
It's our third birthday; we wanted to take you on a quick behind-the-scenes of Considered Capital from its very beginnings.
Square peg, round hole.
Before Considered Capital, I was a three times founder and had worked with hundreds of startups to help them raise traditional funding. I felt first-hand the frustration of searching for mission aligned funding and the challenges of fundraising as a female founder.
As I met more founders along the way, I realised that many other impact-driven organisations faced the same issues. After years of seeing people feel forced down a more traditional financing route, I felt that frustration shift into determination to find a better way for myself and others.
Goodbye unicorns, hello zebras.
We started by mapping out the essential tools and ideas that would make Considered Capital the go-to place for mission-driven organisations and businesses to fundraise and find community.
We wanted to cater to the founders and organisations making an impact and doing things differently and explore the emerging world of alternative funding.
Zebras. They are our tribe. 🦓
Zebra's Unite put out a piece that beautifully outlined the emerging impact-first businesses and founders we wanted to serve:
"We believe that developing alternative business models to the startup status quo has become a central moral challenge of our time. These alternative models will balance profit and purpose, champion democracy, and put a premium on sharing power and resources. Companies that create a more just and responsible society will hear, help, and heal the customers and communities they serve.
- To state the obvious: unlike unicorns, zebras are real.
Zebra companies are both black and white: they are profitable and improve society. They won't sacrifice one for the other. - Zebras are also mutualistic: by banding together in groups, they protect and preserve one another—their individual input results in stronger collective output.
- Zebra companies are built with peerless stamina and capital efficiency as long as conditions allow them to survive."
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
We moved away from any idea of getting vast numbers of people on board; we wanted the right people in our community.
With a tiny team, we've seen our free newsletter grow from 0 to nearly 4,500 and over 300 incredible founders through our Alt Funding School doors.
Our mission remains the same to this day: to give founders of wonky-shaped businesses the confidence to go out there and get the fundraising they deserve and to make alternative fundraising simple, successful, and perhaps even FUN for all impact-driven organisations.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here and for your continued support.
Cheers to three years! 🥂
Ways we can support you on your fundraising journey
If you're ready to find your fundraising confidence, then we provide products and programmes to support you along the way. Check out our current offerings below.
Our first-ever focused cohort offers women and non-binary people practical, hands-on support for purpose-driven women raising mission-aligned funding all over the globe. 97% of alumni would recommend us to founder friends.
Never miss a UK funding opportunity again. Search for new grants, accelerators and more using our exclusive LIVE Funding Database which is updated weekly and curated for our community fundraising in the UK.
If you are looking for an introductory course into raising funding as an impact organisation, this is for you. Identify the best next step on your fundraising journey and meet incredible purpose-led founders along the way.
Connect and learn
Accelerators & Funders
contact@consideredcapital.io