Founder coaching and mentoring
Space to think about your business and your role in it
As your business grows, the decisions change. More people depend on you. The consequences get bigger. The way you’ve worked until now may no longer give you what you need.
I work with founders who want space to think clearly, develop as leaders and make decisions they can stand behind.
Our conversations bring together coaching, mentoring and my experience of building and exiting two technology businesses. My work with founders has contributed to raising £55m+ in equity funding.
Who I work with
I typically work with founders from seed to Series A and beyond, as they build their teams, grow revenues and work out what the business needs from them next.
My own businesses were in technology, and I’ve since worked with founders across a wide range of sectors. I also work with solo founders and business owners outside tech.
We’re likely to work well together if you care about the people around you, are willing to question your assumptions and want to talk honestly about what’s difficult.
You don’t need to arrive with a clearly defined problem. Working out what needs your attention can be our starting point.
Examples of what we can work through
Deciding where to focus when everything feels urgent
Step back from competing demands and work out what deserves your attention. We explore what only you can do, what can wait and what you can let go of.
Working through difficult relationships or conversations
Some conversations feel easier to postpone, especially when the relationship matters. We make space to understand what’s happening, what you need to say and how you want to approach it.
Recognising when your current way of working is becoming unsustainable
You may be putting in more hours while finding less space to think or recover. We look at what’s driving that pattern and what needs to change for you and the business.
Delegating responsibility and giving your team room to lead
When decisions keep coming back to you, growth can make your workload heavier. We explore how to give others ownership, set clear expectations and build trust in their judgement.
Preparing for investment and considering what growth will demand of you
Funding brings choices about the business you’re building and the expectations you take on. We work through your plans, your readiness and what the next stage could mean for your role.
Thinking about an exit and what you want afterwards
Selling a business involves personal questions alongside commercial decisions. We explore what you want from an exit, what might make it hard to step away and what you’d like life afterwards to hold.
Our work follows what matters in your business and your life as its founder. That might include:
There is room to discuss both the commercial decisions and how you are experiencing them.
How we work together
We begin with a free introductory call. It’s a chance to talk about your situation, what you’re looking for and whether we would work well together.
If we decide to go ahead, we agree the scope, session frequency and fees before starting.
I normally work with clients for an initial three months. That gives us time to understand what’s happening, put decisions into practice and return to what you’re learning.
Sessions last an hour and typically take place online twice a month. We can also arrange to meet in person, including walking or running sessions if that suits you. Being outside can give you space away from everyday distractions to think and talk.
What you can expect from me
My approach is direct and compassionate. I’ll listen carefully, ask questions and challenge you when I think it will help.
Where relevant, I’ll share experience from my own businesses and my work with other founders. We can explore that experience together while recognising that your situation is your own.
My purpose is to deeply connect with founders to enable transformations they couldn’t achieve alone.
For me, that means building a relationship where you can speak openly, question your assumptions and work through the decisions you find difficult to make on your own.
Questions you might have
What’s the difference between coaching and mentoring?
Coaching helps you explore your thinking, recognise patterns and find your own way forward. Mentoring brings relevant experience and perspective into the conversation.
I use both, depending on what is useful. Sometimes you need a question that helps you see things differently. Sometimes it helps to hear how someone else has approached a similar decision.
Do you only work with technology founders?
No. Most of my business experience and founder work is in technology, but I also work with founders and business owners outside tech, including fellow coaches. The introductory call helps us decide whether my approach and experience fit your needs.
Do I need to have raised investment?
No. I work with founders building through revenue as well as those backed by investors. What matters is whether you have a useful focus for the work and are ready to commit time and resources to it.
Can I book a one-off session?
My focus is ongoing coaching and mentoring, normally beginning with three months. Working together over time lets us follow through on decisions and explore what happens between conversations.
Are our conversations confidential?
I treat our conversations as confidential. I won’t share what we discuss with a co-founder, investor or programme contact without your permission. We agree the confidentiality terms before starting.
How much does it cost?
Fees are agreed after our introductory conversation, once we’ve discussed what you need and how we would work together. You’ll know the cost, commitment and payment terms before deciding.
What happens in the introductory call?
We talk about your business, what’s on your mind and what you hope to get from working together. You can ask questions about my approach and we can both consider whether there’s a good fit.
The call is free, with no obligation to continue.
What would be useful to think through?
You don’t have to have it all worked out before getting in touch.