FAQs
What do I need to do to secure funding?
In the first instance, you need to meet the listed criteria to be eligible for investment. Once you’re confident you meet these criteria, you need to send us an expression of interest to tell us a little more about your business and the project you are hoping to pursue. We’ll be in touch soon after receiving your expression of interest to organise a call so we can talk through things in more detail and determine how we can proceed.
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If I secure investment, will I lose control of my business?
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In short, no. We are not looking to secure a majority stake in any business and have no interest in taking any sort of operational control in any other swim school. Our investment agreement will be structured to ensure you remain in charge of your business, able to make operational decisions the same way as you do now.
Will it cost me anything?
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There is no cost for taking on our investment. The application process up to the point where we reach an agreement in principle should only cost you some time and effort to provide the information we need, and to engage in the process. At the point where our agreement is drawn up, you will likely want to engage your solicitor to review the agreement to ensure you are happy to proceed – this will likely attract some cost.
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You may also need to spend some money putting together the necessary business plans and financial forecasts required to support the project.
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If you have any existing funds available to support the project, committing these will reduce the investment required from us for the project to proceed. This will mean you will be selling a lower equity stake so you may want to consider this.
Do I have to pay back the investment money?
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No, this is not debt that you need to repay. Our investment is given in return for an equity stake in your business. As such there is no money to repay as you would have if you take out a loan or mortgage. This means the financial pressure on your business is reduced significantly because you won’t have monthly repayments to make.
How do you make money from the deal?
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Over time as the business grows profitably, dividends will be paid out to the business owners. As a part owner of the business, we will receive dividends in line with the stake that we hold, as you will too. Between us we’ll decide when dividends will be paid. This is a long term investment for us. We are not venture capitalists looking for a quick return and exit. We want long term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
If dividends aren’t paid straight away, how do I get paid?
During the initial period of the partnership where dividends are not paid, in lieu of any dividends you ordinarily draw from the business you will draw a salary instead. This will be set up to ensure that you earn the same or more than you would currently. At the point where dividends start to be paid, you’ll draw these on top of your salary.
What support will I receive?
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Aside from the financial investment, you will receive any and all support you need to get the project off the ground and see it to fruition. We have the experience and expertise to help make the building and development process as straightforward as possible. You will be involved all the way through but you will have the capacity to maintain focus on the operational side of your business, meaning nothing falls down.
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What happens if you decide not to invest in my project?
If for any reason we cannot reach an agreement and we do not invest, we will be transparent with you about why this has been decided. We will be open with you about what you might need to put in place or what milestones you might need to reach with your business in order for us to reconsider investment in the future.