Best for tech founders · USA, UK & EU

I get tech founders warm intros into my 1,000+ investors.

The first step is free, it's a one-pager review and targeted investor outreach. If investors request your full deck, the optional £300 investor follow-up service takes it from there.

First outreach is free£300 investor follow-upUSA, UK & EU founders
Matthew Smith
In short

What is Raise?

Raise is Matthew Smith's investor-introduction service for pre-revenue, pre-seed tech founders. The first step is a free one-pager review, detailed investor targeting and outreach. The paid investor follow-up service costs £300 and covers the work through to warm introductions when investors ask to meet you.

Who it's for
Tech founders, pre‑revenue, pre‑seed, seed
Sectors
Tech, AI, SaaS
Where
USA, UK and EU
Raise size
Roughly $250K – $1.5M
How it works

Start free. Gauge investor interest. Only pay for additional follow-up.

The first step is a free one-pager review and outreach. You only pay if you want the full £300 investor follow-up service.

Free first step

One-pager review, targeting and outreach

£0
  • Your first outreach is free. Just email your one-pager overview as a PDF.
  • Matthew reviews it, then accurately targets and sends it to typically 50 to 150 carefully matched investors from his warm network of 1,000+ investors.
  • After a few days, we find out how many investors respond wanting to see your full deck. That clarifies solid interest.
Send your one-pager →
Step 2 – Optional £300

Investor follow-up service

£300fixed fee
  • The £300 investor follow-up service is optional. You only choose this if investors specifically asked for your full deck.
  • It covers sending your full deck to all the interested investors who wanted to see it. We coordinate all questions from investors and send them back to you, and warm introductions are made when investors ask to meet you.
  • At the end of the process, you'll receive a full feedback report specifying exactly what investors like and dislike about your proposal.
  • The work runs in a 30-day process.
Start the £300 outreach →
Recommendations

What founders say about working with Matt

Public recommendations from founders Matt has worked with, visible on his LinkedIn profile and on each individual founder's profile.

Recommendation on LinkedIn
Jaskaran Soomal Founder, A Mindful Message · September 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(he's Michelin in this line of work)
When Matthew reached out to me on LinkedIn, I was cynical and guarded. As a female founder who had been through betrayals in business, and who…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Shiromi Bedessee Founder, Kin · December 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I chose to work with Matthew very, very deliberately. As a first-time, early-stage founder, I have had a genuinely brilliant experience being guided by him…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Raj Chaudry $650M AWS Dealmaker · August 15, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Matt is easily the best startup mentor I've worked with since I founded my startup. Grateful for your guidance Matt! 🙏
A critical difference is that he's actually a founder, so he's done this before, and is able to provide guidance that…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Steven Clark CEO, Maze Reality · June 6, 2025

Matthew is helping me get investor ready. But he's more than that ... he is genuine in his approach, offers tangible advice... yet we also have a laugh at the same time. The human touch is so very important and he brings enthusiasm in abundance. If you are looking to…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
TONY HO Founder & CEO, Osmosis AI · May 12, 2025

Matthew Smith is a highly experienced investor who truly understands both sides of the table—the perspective of investors and the challenges founders face. What sets Matthew apart is the genuine time and effort he puts into guiding founders, helping them…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Tanvir Walele Founder & CEO, Fawrii · April 24, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've had the pleasure of working with Matt and I can confidently say his input has been instrumental in elevating my investor outreach. Matt helped fine-tune my investor deck with precision…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Jennifer Georgeson Founder | 2x Exited (1x IPO) · April 17, 2025

Had the first session with Matthew today - the value add is immediate, some simple & easy to absorb invaluable tips already. Very much looking forward to the next session ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Jaskaran Soomal Founder, A Mindful Message · September 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(he's Michelin in this line of work)
When Matthew reached out to me on LinkedIn, I was cynical and guarded. As a female founder who had been through betrayals in business, and who…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Shiromi Bedessee Founder, Kin · December 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I chose to work with Matthew very, very deliberately. As a first-time, early-stage founder, I have had a genuinely brilliant experience being guided by him…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Raj Chaudry $650M AWS Dealmaker · August 15, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Matt is easily the best startup mentor I've worked with since I founded my startup. Grateful for your guidance Matt! 🙏
A critical difference is that he's actually a founder, so he's done this before, and is able to provide guidance that…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Steven Clark CEO, Maze Reality · June 6, 2025

Matthew is helping me get investor ready. But he's more than that ... he is genuine in his approach, offers tangible advice... yet we also have a laugh at the same time. The human touch is so very important and he brings enthusiasm in abundance. If you are looking to…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
TONY HO Founder & CEO, Osmosis AI · May 12, 2025

Matthew Smith is a highly experienced investor who truly understands both sides of the table—the perspective of investors and the challenges founders face. What sets Matthew apart is the genuine time and effort he puts into guiding founders, helping them…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Tanvir Walele Founder & CEO, Fawrii · April 24, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've had the pleasure of working with Matt and I can confidently say his input has been instrumental in elevating my investor outreach. Matt helped fine-tune my investor deck with precision…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Jennifer Georgeson Founder | 2x Exited (1x IPO) · April 17, 2025

Had the first session with Matthew today - the value add is immediate, some simple & easy to absorb invaluable tips already. Very much looking forward to the next session ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Manpreet Singh CEO, Bobble Digital & Bobble Insights AI · January 20, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Matthew has been an exceptional support to Bobble Insights during our pre-seed phase. As a tech entrepreneur, he brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, commercial realism, and founder-level empathy…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Michael Barron Founder & COO, NeedleSmart · December 12, 2025

Matthew is a genius. His superpower lies in his ability to make the complex approachable and actionable. He is part marketing guru, part strategist, part business therapist....and the results are magic. Working with Matthew has been a pleasure…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Andy Ridgway Co-Founder, Everybody Counts · July 24, 2025

Mat has been pivotal in our seed raise. Constant support and advice whenever we need. His drive behind and constant support/introductions have helped us close a further £200,000 in our Seed raise. Mat has comprehensive understanding of the Education…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Vamsi Vadde CEO & Founder, Teacher Booker & Omnijo · June 5, 2025

Matt has been and continues to be a brilliant advisor - he has helped me refine our storytelling and sharpen our pitch. Having built an EdTech company himself, his knowledge and experience is invaluable. …

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Iusef Hafith-Russo Growth Manager @Affinity · May 6, 2025

It was a true pleasure to host Matthew at SuperCharger Ventures in Malta. His session with our cohort of AI, EdTech, and HR growth-stage startups was incredibly insightful and engaging. Matthew's genuine account of his journey, including an $18m exit,…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Michael Fitzgerald COO, BigBower.com · April 20, 2025

Working with Matthew has been a game-changer for us at Big Bower. Not only did he help refine our investor outreach strategy, he also brought clarity, structure, and real storytelling power to our pitch. The result? A presentation that feels authentic,…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Howard H. Conyack Jr. Founder | Technology Entrepreneur · April 17, 2025

I had the pleasure of working with Matt on refining my first hook deck, business model, and full investor pitch. His ability to quickly identify red flags from an investor perspective and reshape the narrative around the opportunity was incredibly valuable. Matt is sharp,…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Manpreet Singh CEO, Bobble Digital & Bobble Insights AI · January 20, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Matthew has been an exceptional support to Bobble Insights during our pre-seed phase. As a tech entrepreneur, he brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, commercial realism, and founder-level empathy…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Michael Barron Founder & COO, NeedleSmart · December 12, 2025

Matthew is a genius. His superpower lies in his ability to make the complex approachable and actionable. He is part marketing guru, part strategist, part business therapist....and the results are magic. Working with Matthew has been a pleasure…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Andy Ridgway Co-Founder, Everybody Counts · July 24, 2025

Mat has been pivotal in our seed raise. Constant support and advice whenever we need. His drive behind and constant support/introductions have helped us close a further £200,000 in our Seed raise. Mat has comprehensive understanding of the Education…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Vamsi Vadde CEO & Founder, Teacher Booker & Omnijo · June 5, 2025

Matt has been and continues to be a brilliant advisor - he has helped me refine our storytelling and sharpen our pitch. Having built an EdTech company himself, his knowledge and experience is invaluable. …

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Iusef Hafith-Russo Growth Manager @Affinity · May 6, 2025

It was a true pleasure to host Matthew at SuperCharger Ventures in Malta. His session with our cohort of AI, EdTech, and HR growth-stage startups was incredibly insightful and engaging. Matthew's genuine account of his journey, including an $18m exit,…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Michael Fitzgerald COO, BigBower.com · April 20, 2025

Working with Matthew has been a game-changer for us at Big Bower. Not only did he help refine our investor outreach strategy, he also brought clarity, structure, and real storytelling power to our pitch. The result? A presentation that feels authentic,…

View on LinkedIn →
Recommendation on LinkedIn
Howard H. Conyack Jr. Founder | Technology Entrepreneur · April 17, 2025

I had the pleasure of working with Matt on refining my first hook deck, business model, and full investor pitch. His ability to quickly identify red flags from an investor perspective and reshape the narrative around the opportunity was incredibly valuable. Matt is sharp,…

View on LinkedIn →
About Matthew Smith

I sold my last tech business, Results Squared, for $18 million.

It was sold to IRIS Software Group, backed by private equity firm HG Capital, then one of Europe's largest software houses. Matthew runs Raise from Manchester, UK, and has a strong social media following as an expert tech founder and tech funding specialist.

$18 million
Sale of Results Squared to IRIS Software Group
15,000+
Tech founders and investors following me across social media platforms
Manchester
Raise is based in the UK, but serves USA, UK & EU tech founders.
Matthew Smith, founder of Raise
A note from Matt

Hi, I'm Matt.

I run Raise from Manchester, UK. I sold my last tech business, Results Squared, for $18 million to IRIS Software Group, backed by private equity firm HG Capital, then one of Europe's largest software houses. I also have a strong social media following as an expert in my field.

I get pre-revenue, pre-seed tech founders warm intros to investors. Send me your one-pager as a PDF. I'll review it and start outreach for free. If investors request your full deck, the £300 investor outreach covers the rest.

Check out my customer recommendations above, or scroll my Instagram or LinkedIn to find out more about me.

Cheers, Matt
The investors

1,000+ warm investors across the USA, UK and EU.

Matthew's network is built from solid relationships. Your one-pager only goes to investors who are a genuine fit.

1,000+
Investors in Matthew's warm network
$50K–$250K
Typical cheques, some $1M and beyond
50–150
Matched investors per outreach
USA, UK & EU
Investors and founders across these regions

Who they are

  • Angels
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Family offices
  • Hand-picked VCs

How they're matched

  • Sector
  • Investment thesis
  • Geography
  • Cheque size

Investor names stay confidential until an investor asks to meet you, and your materials go out clean, with contact details and links removed.

FAQ

Questions founders ask.

Short answers to the questions tech founders like you want to better understand.

How do I get warm intros to investors?

Raise, run by Matthew Smith, gets tech founders warm intros into his 1,000+ investors. The first step is free: a one-pager review and targeted investor outreach, sent to between 50 and 150 targeted investor contacts best suited to your business, your sector, your raise size and your geography.

If investors want to see your full deck, the optional £300 investor follow-up service takes it from there, through to warm intros when investors ask to meet you.

Who is Raise for?

Raise is for tech founders, including pre-revenue, pre-seed and seed, mostly in Tech, AI and SaaS. It works with founders in the USA, UK and EU. Typical raise size is roughly $250K–$1.5M, but could be up to $10M for the right tech opportunity.

Who are the investors?

A mix of angels, high-net-worth individuals, family offices and some hand-picked VCs. Typical cheques are $50K to $250K, with some going up to $1M and beyond. Each one is matched to your sector, investment thesis, geography and cheque size.

Do I need revenue?

No. Raise works with pre-revenue tech founders, as well as pre-seed and seed. It is for tech founders, mostly in Tech, AI and SaaS, in the USA, UK and EU, raising roughly $250K–$1.5M.

Is the first outreach free?

Yes. Your first outreach is free. Just email your one-pager overview as a PDF. You only pay if you want the optional £300 investor follow-up service.

What do I need to send?

Just email your one-pager overview as a PDF to [email protected]. Matthew reviews it, then accurately targets and sends it to typically 50 to 150 carefully matched investors from his warm network of 1,000+ investors.

What is a one-pager, and how should I put it together?

A one-pager is a single-page PDF that sums up your startup for investors. It's the first thing they see, so it needs to be clear and quick to read.

Keep it to one page and include:

  • Your startup name, a one-line description and your website
  • The problem you solve and who has it
  • Your solution and what makes it different
  • The market size and who your customers are
  • Traction so far, such as users, pilots, waitlist or partnerships (revenue isn't needed)
  • Your founding team and relevant experience
  • How much you're raising, on what terms (for example SAFE or SEIS/EIS) and what the money is for
  • Your contact details

Use short sentences, plain language and a clean layout. Save it as a PDF and email it with the subject "One pager - [your startup name]". When Matthew sends it to investors, he will remove any contact details or clickable links, so he can manage the feedback from investors directly.

How does the free first step work?

The first step is free: you email your one-pager overview as a PDF. Matthew reviews it, then accurately targets and sends it to typically 50 to 150 carefully matched investors from his warm network of 1,000+ investors. After a few days, we find out how many investors respond wanting to see your full deck, which clarifies solid interest.

What if no investors want my deck?

Then you don't pay anything. You only decide on the £300 investor follow-up service once you know how many investors have asked to see your full deck.

How much does Raise cost?

The first outreach is free. If investors want to see your full deck, the optional £300 investor follow-up service is a fixed fee. You only pay if you want that additional follow-up.

Do you take equity?

No. Raise never takes equity, now or on any future investment.

Are there any other costs, a success fee or commission?

No. The free first step costs nothing. The optional investor follow-up service is one fixed fee of £300. There's no success fee, no commission and nothing else to pay, now or later.

What does the £300 investor follow-up service include?

The £300 investor follow-up service is optional, and you only choose this if investors specifically asked for your full deck. It covers sending your full deck to all the interested investors who wanted to see it, coordinating their questions and sending them back to you, and warm intros when investors ask to meet you. At the end of the process, you'll receive a full feedback report specifying exactly what investors like and dislike about your proposal. The work runs in a 30-day process.

How quickly is my deck sent?

Within 2 working days of receiving your latest deck.

How do investor questions work?

Investor questions are collated into one summary for you to answer. There are normally two or three rounds, each about ten days, within the 30-day process.

How long does it take?

After a few days of free first outreach, we find out how many investors respond wanting to see your full deck. If you go ahead with the £300 investor follow-up service, the work runs in a 30-day process.

What do I get at the end?

At the end of the £300 investor follow-up service, you'll receive a full feedback report specifying exactly what investors like and dislike about your proposal. The service also covers deck sends to interested investors, coordinating their questions, and warm intros when investors ask to meet you. The work runs in a 30-day process.

Is my deck kept confidential?

Yes. Your deck only goes to the investors who ask for it, and it isn't shared further without your OK. Before anything goes out, all contact details and links are removed. Investor names stay confidential until an investor asks to be introduced.

Can I still raise with other investors?

Yes. Raise is non-exclusive. You're free to approach other investors and to work with others.

Does paying guarantee investment?

No. The £300 covers the deck sends, question handling, introductions and the final feedback report, not an outcome. No one can promise an investor will invest or meet you, and the fee is non-refundable.

What are your standard terms?

Raise's standard terms are short and simple: one fixed £300 fee for the optional investor follow-up service, no equity, commission or success fee, and full confidentiality. You can read the full terms here.

Is Raise a financial adviser?

No. Matthew isn't a regulated financial adviser or broker and doesn't give investment advice. You agree any investment terms directly with the investor.

Who is Matthew Smith?

Matthew Smith runs Raise. He sold his last tech business, Results Squared, for $18 million to IRIS Software Group, backed by private equity firm HG Capital, then one of Europe's largest software houses. He is an expert tech founder and tech funding specialist, based in Manchester, UK, with 15,000+ tech founders and investors following him across social media platforms. Read the IRIS announcement.

Where is Raise based?

Raise is based in Manchester, UK, but serves USA, UK and EU tech founders. Matthew Smith runs Raise from the UK.

Matthew has extremely strong investor links in the USA, UK and EU.

Ready when you are

Start with your one-pager.

The first step is free: a one-pager review and outreach.