Updated: 2025-10-06
This is my now page inspired by Derek Sivers.
Since 2004, I have been in the business of building tech companies and related ventures, and helping others to do the same. However, I do not encourage anyone to quit their day job and start a tech company.
When I turned 50, I told myself I would build 5 businesses over the next 20 years. Here’s a status update:
- Community – Techcelerate
- Intelligence – Deal Lite
- Free talent – SkilledUp Life
- Reporting – Progress Hero (gave up)
- Micro Fund – Postponed
Let me expand:
1. Techcelerate – A trusted tech founder network for UK tech companies and their founders. We focus on getting the product right and commercialisation (the Techcelerate Way) before premature founder equity dilution. Working with our Tech Founders, we use all the products listed below in addition to our trusted partner services.
2. Deal Lite – We track the UK’s fastest-growing venture tech startups and the investors who have backed them. Treat us as Crunchbase for the UK or a lightweight Beauhurst. We maintain two press release sites for investment and M&A.
3. SkilledUp Life – 62,000 skilled volunteers from 148 countries exclusively for tech startups. A paradise for the bootstrappers and Indiehackers out there. No longer lack of capital (80% of which goes for salaries) be used as an excuse for startup failure. With our help, boostrapped tech startups can operate as venture backed thanks to SkilledUp Lifers.
Other than the above:
- I have been an independent assessor of UK grant funding through InnovateUK since 2011. I have reviewed projects aggregating over £500 million, with the largest being a £30 million request.
- If you need help, you can buy a half-day of my time.
Want to chat? Book a 30-minute slot.