Founder FAQs
Will you edit my demo video?
We will not edit your demo video; we expect the final version you share with up to be of a standard which is acceptable for investors to receive. On the occasion we do not feel the video is up to standard, we will inform you of our view and why.
Will you write my business details for me?
No, incomplete applications will not be considered. You are best placed to advise on your business, its achievements, and aspirations.
What should or shouldn’t I put in my demo video?
Please refer to the guidelines for demos.
What is Barclay’s role?
Barclay’s role is to share demos of aspiring startups and scaleups who are seeking to raise capital with a wide range of investors across a variety of sectors. We will not make direct connections to investors or promote your demo any differently to other businesses.
Do I have to be UK based?
Founders demoing must have a UK business registration. Investors can be global.
Do I have to bank with Barclays?
Neither founders or investors have to bank with Barclays in any capacity (Personal or Business)
Will you connect me with specific investors?
No, your demo will be live for all investors to view, across multiple sectors and geographies. We will not make specific introductions.
How do investors get in touch?
Your preferred contact details will be taken within the application template and used by investors to connect. There is no guarantee that any investors will get in touch.
Can I reach out to investors directly?
No, you create a demo visible to Investors and if your opportunity interests them, they will get in touch with you.
Will I be able to view a list of Investors registered to Demo Directory?
No, we will not be able to share a list of names or companies due to data privacy.
How long does this process take?
We ask that you complete the application template. We will then review any details and your demo video if provided to ensure they are compliant with our guidelines (This may take up to 10 working days). The team may ask you to review some aspects, once these amendments have been made and signed off by the Barclays team your demo will go live.
Do I need to complete all the boxes on the application template?
You are only required to complete the boxes that are mandatory, some questions are optional. Although there are some optional fields, we recommend you as much information you are willing to share with Investors. If you fail to answer any mandatory questions, the form will bring this to your attention.
Is there a cost?
No, this service is offered free of charge. Barclays will not seek any payment or equity in return for this process. You will be engaging investors to potentially take a stake in your business. You should seek independent financial advice to ensure you are comfortable with this.
How many times can I add to the directory?
You may apply when you are seeking to raise capital. We appreciate this may take several months and happen on various occasions as your business grows. You can submit multiple applications if you have multiple businesses. You will not need to resubmit multiple applications for one business, you will be able to edit your original applications and move back to live upon various funding rounds.
How long will my demo be live for?
The demo will be live on the platform for a period of 3 months. You can choose to re-activate by resubmitting. You can also request to remove your demo from live.
Are there any risks?
- You will be placing information about your business into the public domain with the intended consumption by investors (only investors that have been certified will be able to view this). You should consider if any of the information you write or present in your video or text should remain confidential.
- You are entering into this with the intention of exchanging equity for cash, you should seek independent financial advice if necessary.
- While we do our best to maintain the certification of investors, we do not measure or regard their credibility. You should perform your own due diligence and fact-checking as part of your transaction.
- There is no guarantee that an investor will reach out to you.
Are there any industry sector restrictions?
There are some industry sectors that pose a higher risk than others that will not be accepted onto the platform given the reputational risk to the bank. These include Crypto currency, anything associated with gambling, adult entertainment, money service businesses and more.