Hi Everyone, Has anyone here had any experience with borrowing via the Government Growth Guarantee Scheme? https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme

I watched the video from @Mike Greene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7DQk7YNwTo). regarding EIS/SEIS, and a great video leading on with (Oliver Woolley) Envestors , I have just had a call with "SeedLegals" about the application process, does anyone have experience of this organisation, and as a start-up does this route for finance something I should consider now? I was a bit taken back by their fee, which sounds 'too cheap' +1%, their pitch sounds very good - but something is nagging me - what it is, I dont know. Im looking to raise money to fund recruitment, this route sounds like an ideal avenue. Thoughts anyone?

Is there anyone on the group attending this years Business Show 2025 12th/13th November greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk Im going on the 12th - if anyone fancies meeting up for a chat, interesting to you know also if anyone has a stand there.

What does showing up mean for you?

I am launching something new - outside of the Growth Syndicate Something focused Something raw Something overdue Over the last few months I have turned away 100's of early stage founders from The Growth Syndicate, Not because I did not want to help them But because The Growth Syndicate was built for established entrepreneurs and scaling businesses It was the wrong room for startups And I have made that clear from day one But saying no to them did not sit right with me Because I remember what it was like to start from scratch No plan No roadmap No one to ask Just hunger, a rough idea and a mountain to climb So I am building a second Skool One built exclusively for startups and those right at the beginning of their journey For the people stuck at the start who do not know where to go next For the ones who have the energy but need a process For the ones who have an idea but need a strategy For the ones who are ready to build It is called FORGE Where founders are forged and entrepreneurs are elevated FORGE is 100% free No paywall No nonsense No Fake gurus Just progress It is for: → First time founders → Pre revenue startups → People with a great idea who have not launched yet → Those who feel overwhelmed by where to start → Builders who want clarity, direction and momentum Why am I building this Because nobody hands you the startup manual Nobody explains product market fit Nobody shows you how to get your first customer Or how to take an idea and turn it into momentum I had to figure it out alone I built a business fast, lost everything at 27, then rebuilt and scaled into 20 countries Forge is everything I wish someone had given me at the beginning Inside FORGE you will get: → Clarity on your idea and target customer → Soom we will fill our calendar with live sessions and surgeries → A roadmap from zero to launch → Real startup frameworks that actually work → Accountability to keep moving → A powerful community of doers not talkers If you are part of The Growth Syndicate but still at early stage, come and join Forge as well