Standard Ledger

How US investors think differently, and what UK founders must change to successfully raise funds across the Atlantic. Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (BST) Speaker: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger) The US is the world’s largest venture capital market. But raising from US investors isn’t just about “raising more money.” It requires a different approach. US VCs think differently about: Growth expectations Market size Risk tolerance Financial metrics Narrative positioning Speed of scaling So what works in a UK seed round doesn’t always translate in San Francisco or New York. On Tuesday 21 July at 12pm BST, join us for a practical session on what UK founders need to adjust before approaching US investors. What we’ll coverHow US investor expectations differ from UK VCs The metrics US funds prioritise Why TAM matters more in US conversations Growth benchmarks US investors expect Structural considerations (Delaware flips, holding companies, tax implications) Common mistakes UK founders make when pitching US capital Real case studies of UK startups that raised from US investors - what worked, what had to change, and what caught them off guard Who should attend?UK startup founders at pre-seed, seed or Series A stage who are considering: Expanding into the US Raising from US investors Structuring their company for international capital This session will include practical scenarios drawn from recent UK-to-US fundraising journeys - not just theory, but what actually happened in the room. 🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. 📅 Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm BST MEET THE SPEAKER Michael Budnow Co-founder, Standard Ledger LinkedIn If you ever wanted a finance guy on your side, Mike is that guy. The one with more than 15 years’ experience in leading accounting and investment firms. And the one who now uses that experience to help startups and high growth SMEs expand through clever structuring, financial management, funding and tax advice. Mike is a chartered tax adviser, registered tax agent and member of the Tax Institute. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

How US investors think differently, and what UK founders must change to successfully raise funds across the Atlantic. Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (BST) Speaker: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger) The US is the world’s largest venture capital market. But raising from US investors isn’t just about “raising more money.” It requires a different approach. US VCs think differently about: Growth expectations Market size Risk tolerance Financial metrics Narrative positioning Speed of scaling So what works in a UK seed round doesn’t always translate in San Francisco or New York. On Tuesday 30 June at 12pm BST, join us for a practical session on what UK founders need to adjust before approaching US investors. What we’ll coverHow US investor expectations differ from UK VCs The metrics US funds prioritise Why TAM matters more in US conversations Growth benchmarks US investors expect Structural considerations (Delaware flips, holding companies, tax implications) Common mistakes UK founders make when pitching US capital Real case studies of UK startups that raised from US investors - what worked, what had to change, and what caught them off guard Who should attend?UK startup founders at pre-seed, seed or Series A stage who are considering: Expanding into the US Raising from US investors Structuring their company for international capital This session will include practical scenarios drawn from recent UK-to-US fundraising journeys - not just theory, but what actually happened in the room. 🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. 📅 Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm BST

Understand how EMI, SEIS, EIS and growth shares affect your startup valuation and future fundraising. Register here. Date: Wednesday 27 May 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (BST) Speakers: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger) Valuation doesn’t just matter when you’re raising capital. It underpins your EMI scheme. It determines SEIS and EIS eligibility. It sets growth share hurdles. And it directly impacts how investors view your cap table. Many founders treat EMI, SEIS, EIS and growth shares as separate topics. They’re not. Each has different valuation mechanics, and getting them wrong can create tax issues, investor friction, or future restructuring headaches. On Wednesday 27 May at 12pm BST, we’ll discuss how EMI, SEIS, EIS and growth shares affect your startup valuation and future fundraising. What we’ll coverYou’ll learn: The core differences between EMI, SEIS, EIS and growth shares How HMRC valuations work, and why they matter How valuation affects strike prices, dilution and tax treatment How share structures influence investor perception The common mistakes founders make when issuing shares How to align your valuation approach with your next raise If you’re issuing equity, planning an EMI scheme, or preparing to raise under SEIS/EIS, this session will help you understand the valuation fundamentals before you make decisions. Who should attend?This session is designed for UK startup founders at pre-seed, seed and Series A stage. 🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. 📅 Date: Wednesday 27 May 2026 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm BST

Learn how investors value early-stage startups, and how to position your valuation before your next funding round. Date: Thursday 26 March 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (GMT) Speakers: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger) and Daniel Faloppa (Equidam) Valuation is one of the most misunderstood parts of fundraising. Many founders either anchor to a number they “need”, copy what they’ve seen in the market, or rely on rules of thumb that don’t stand up in real investor discussions. The reality? Investors use structured methodologies and they assess far more than just revenue multiples. This practical webinar is designed to help UK startup founders understand how valuations are actually formed, what drives investor perception of value, and how to approach fundraising conversations with credibility and confidence. Join Michael Budnow, UK Director and Co-Founder of Standard Ledger, and Daniel Faloppa, Founder & CEO of Equidam, a global valuation platform, for a founder-focused session on mastering valuation before your next raise. Together, they’ll discuss how investors think about risk, growth, defensibility and traction, and how those factors translate into real-world numbers. What we’ll cover:How investors value early-stage startups – The core methodologies used in practice, from comparables to risk-adjusted approaches Pre-revenue and early revenue valuation – What actually drives value when financial history is limited Common valuation mistakes founders make – Over-optimism, weak assumptions, and misaligned expectations Positioning your startup’s worth – How to support your valuation with metrics, narrative and financial clarity Balancing dilution and ambition – Setting a valuation that attracts investors without damaging future rounds Who should attend:UK startup founders planning to raise in the next 6–12 months Teams preparing for Seed or Series A conversations Founders who want to understand valuation before speaking to investors Anyone unsure how their startup would be assessed in a real-world funding scenario You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how valuation works in practice — and how to approach your next raise from a position of strength rather than guesswork. 🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. 📅 Date: Thursday 26 March 2026 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm GMT

Join this free webinar to understand the key finance and compliance considerations when expanding your startup from the UK to the US. Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (GMT) Speaker: Michael Budnow (Standard Ledger) Expanding your startup into the US is a big opportunity, but things can easily go wrong if the foundations aren’t set up properly. This practical webinar is designed for UK startup founders who are considering entering the US market and want to understand what actually needs to be done on the finance and compliance side - before spending money or locking in the wrong structure. Led by Michael Budnow, UK Director and Co-Founder of Standard Ledger, this session cuts through the noise and focuses on the essentials founders need to get right early to avoid painful (and expensive) fixes later. What we’ll cover:Entity setup - When and why a Delaware C-Corp makes sense, QSBS eligibility, registered agents and basic US entity requirements 409A valuations - What a 409A is and when you need one, IRS-compliant valuations that stand up to investor diligence R&D tax credits - How US R&D tax credits work (federal + state) and how to maximise claims without creating risk Payroll & benefits - How to pay US employees correctly, W-2 vs 1099 contractors, multi-state payroll basics using platforms like Gusto or Rippling Sales tax & nexus - What “nexus” actually means, common triggers in states like Texas and Florida, and how to avoid accidental non-compliance as you grow Who should attend:UK startups planning to expand into the US Founders preparing for US hiring or revenue Companies raising (or planning to raise) from US investors Finance-light founding teams who want clear advice and not jargon 🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards. 📅 Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm GMT