Our Investment Story

Since we are now all full-time on Handicaddie we thought that this would be a great opportunity to share with you how we achieved this. Recently we got investment through an accelerator program called TinySeed. This programme is designed to help start-ups like us achieve their business goals. TinySeed was setup by Rob Walling and Einar Vollset as an alternative opportunity for start-ups to progress their business and gain the necessary funding.

Team Handicaddie in London for the TinySeed Kick-Off retreat 2023

Since it began in 2018, more than 80 companies, including Handicaddie, have jumped on board this accelerator program, and it’s not hard to see why. They offer a year-long mentor program with top-notch teachings that are only available through TinySeed. You get to tap into the expertise of some of the most knowledgeable B2B SaaS founders in the world. And even after the program ends, as an alumni, you still have access to the awesome TinySeed network, full of people willing to help you grow and improve your business.

Like many start-ups, we faced a critical decision: whether to bootstrap and grow the business part-time or seek an investment opportunity that would enable us to pursue it full-time. We dedicated a significant portion of the past year to exploring our options. 

We had to take a deep dive into our business as a whole, examining everything from revenue streams and pricing to overall business strategies. It was quite the task, involving countless spreadsheets to crunch numbers and gain valuable insights. It was very time consuming, however it made it very obvious what the route would be for both options. Next step was trying to find the investor that suited our needs and had the same passion we had. No easy feat.  

Jamie, one of our Co-founders, was an enthusiastic follower of Rob Walling’s informative videos on the MicroConf YouTube channel. Rob’s expertise in growing B2B SaaS companies, particularly startups, provided invaluable insights and actionable advice to propel any business forward. His strategic guidance and practical tips have been instrumental in shaping business strategies and growth, especially our own.In fact, it was through Jamie’s avid following of Rob Walling’s videos that we stumbled upon TinySeed. It turned out to be a perfect match for our company and what we needed to springboard us to where we wanted to go.

An application, one impressive pitch deck and two interviews later we were selected to be a part of the spring 2023 cohort! After years of balancing this venture with other commitments, we are thrilled that the opportunity has finally arrived for our entire team to transition into full-time roles and wholeheartedly focus on the growth of our business.

London Trip Kick-Off 

When we were accepted into the program, we never anticipated the amazing bonus of a week-long trip to London. We had the opportunity to meet with the TinySeed Founders and connect with all the other companies accepted into the program. It was an unforgettable experience that created lasting memories. In fact, we even had an unexpected adventure when our booked apartment turned out to be non-existent, but we managed to secure an accommodation upgrade at no extra charge.

Every day, we participated in mastermind sessions where we engaged in in-depth discussions about the current status and challenges faced by each company. It was during these sessions that we swiftly realised our problems were not unique; we were all sailing in the same boat. This realisation helped alleviate the imposter syndrome we had been feeling, as we discovered that many others shared similar experiences and struggles. 

Our first Mastermind session at the Dixon

This made it so easy to connect with people and have discussions about our challenges. Surprisingly, we found that we didn’t need to be experts in a specific field to offer help. It was truly eye-opening to see how effortlessly we could support each other and come up with solutions. Whether it was providing a fresh perspective or leveraging our unique skills, we realised that we all had something valuable to contribute. 

The collaborative vibe was amazing, fostering a genuine sense of camaraderie among us. We freely exchanged our knowledge and experiences, supporting one another to thrive and succeed. It was truly heartwarming to witness the collective effort and see how everyone genuinely cared about each other’s growth.

Rob and Einar gave us their thoughts on each business and what steps each of us need to do to help take the next step. We might have an American road trip coming up next year as a result – stay tuned! They also gave us one of their insightful playbook lessons on pricing and the different strategies to approach. Even after just one talk has made a massive impact on our business as we have new ideas on how we approach new potential customers. To say that this was valuable is an understatement.

It was not all just work like previously mentioned it was so much more than that. During our time in London, we had a blast trying out different activities. We relaxed and explored the city’s iconic sights on a Skuna hot tub boat, enjoyed immersing ourselves in The Burnt City,  an awe-inspiring show inspired by Greek tragedies set in a sprawling neon metropolis, and tackled thrilling challenges in teams at the Crystal Maze Live Experience. Each experience was unique and unforgettable. 

One of the most valuable aspects of these experiences was the opportunity it gave us to forge meaningful relationships with our fellow founders. We had the chance to connect and bond over dinner, sharing insights, challenges, and successes. Building these relationships was truly the highlight of the entire experience, as we found immense value in learning from one another and supporting each other’s entrepreneurial journeys.

We are extremely grateful to TinySeed for this opportunity and we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together. If you are looking to take your company to the next level or are struggling to get the necessary funding for your startup, then I highly recommend getting on the TinySeed programme. Check out their website for more information: https://tinyseed.com/