Challenge
The brief was to develop a pioneering technology VC investment division, starting with a small training and IT-support business. That led to a competitive bid to secure a major international master franchise from one of the world's biggest technology-training companies, which wanted a UK and Ireland presence. The prize was to win the two-country franchise, then build a national operation from nothing: funding, sites, sales systems, people and brand, all at once.
Solution
As Founding CEO, having won the bid, Zed began implementing the franchisor's system and built the UK business from the ground up to seven company-owned centres. Starting with London, he raised £8M of private capital across several rounds, developed and rolled out the centre network, sourcing sites, recruiting and training teams and handing them turn-key centres that generated sales. Throughout, Zed held full profit-and-loss accountability through rapid multi-site growth.
Results
Revenue grew from £0 to £1M in year one, earning Zed and his team International Rookie of the Year awards, then scaled to seven centres and £12M of combined revenue with more than 250 people. The US franchisor secured its UK beachhead, Zed built an £8M capital-raising track record, and the business was prepared for Series A funding to sell franchises and consider new territories.
Are you launching something from a standing start, with capital to raise and an exponential growth curve to chase and prove?
The way through is sequence, not heroics. Prove the model, fund it in stages, and build the operation to match. Do that and each round is earned by the last, not simply hoped for with crossed fingers!
BOOK