FundUp

FundUp is not a separate programme you apply to — it is the fundraising step BootUp graduates move into, aimed at the capital a startup needs to build an MVP and get to market. Mentors first spend two to three weeks running mock pitch sessions, pushing founders towards a narrative grounded in months of customer discovery and covering market opportunity, go-to-market, first customers, business model, sales approach and three-year projections. Once a mentor approves, PadUp organises a virtual demo day.

What you get

• Two to three weeks of mock pitches with business mentors
• A moderated virtual demo day: investors read a pre-read, then each startup gets a 15-minute pitch and 45 minutes of questions in a two-hour session
• Access to Friends of PadUp angels plus other angel networks, micro-VCs and family offices
• Due diligence run by Singhania & Co., which PadUp says takes 30 days, followed by a shareholder agreement and a two-week capital call

Who can apply

• Startups graduating from BootUp; no separate route is published

How selection works: a mentor has to approve the pitch before PadUp will convene investors. Investors then register their interest and the amount they want to put in through a form after the session.