Talking the other day to a former banker who advises companies on raising bank finance, I was taken aback to hear that he is working with a young company that recently paid 20k for a consultancy to develop a business plan that left a lot to be desired. This is not an ear-bashing for consultants…

A tough market can make investors even harder to access but I wonder how many early stage entrepreneurs recognise the value of investment or business plan competitions for opening doors, expanding your network and refining your business proposition? If you are an entrepreneur raising funds for the first time, you would be well advised to…