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Summer Fundraising Slowdown: Why It’s Real and How Founders Can Prepare
The Summer Slump is Real
If you’ve tried raising venture capital in the middle of summer, you’ve likely felt the slowdown. It’s not just in your head – the data shows a clear seasonal dip. In Europe especially, August is a ghost town for VC activity: venture funding in August is often 30–40% lower than in June, and in a downturn year like 2022 it plunged by over 70% . “Late July or early August are particularly tricky for raising in Europe, as many VCs are on summer holidays,” one investor observed. The pattern isn’t limited to Europe – U.S. VCs also tend to go quiet from mid-July through August, making it hard to get partner meetings and decisions made. (In Europe, the summer lull is even more pronounced due to widespread vacations.) The result? Fewer deals get done in summer, and those that do often drag out longer than usual.
Why Investors Go Quiet in Summer
Many investors simply check out during summer. With key partners on holiday and kids out of school, it’s hard to get a full partnership meeting scheduled – so firms often postpone decisions until fall. Even those still around feel less urgency, figuring deals can wait. Trying to launch a raise after mid-July is almost futile. And without multiple investors engaged at once, you can’t create the competitive FOMO that drives fast term sheets – a slow, staggered summer process tends to kill momentum.
The Next Fundraising Window: September to November
The good news is that come September, the game changes. Investors return to their desks, refreshed and ready to deploy capital before the next slowdown. Early fall – roughly September to November – is a prime fundraising window. Many startups make their deals in Q4; December often ends up the busiest month because investors rush to close rounds before the holidays. Practically speaking, you have until about mid-December before the next slowdown. Plan to kick off your raise in early September and wrap it up by late November, because by mid-December the investor focus shifts to holiday mode again.
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Use Summer to Prepare: Founder Action Plan
So what should a founder do during the summer lull? Make the off-season count. Use these months not to chase elusive checks, but to prepare so you can hit the ground running in September. (The ideal fundraising periods are roughly Jan–May and Sep–Nov, so think of June–Aug as your preseason training .) Here’s how to turn a quiet summer into a winning strategy:
Refine your pitch and deck: Use the downtime to polish your pitch materials and narrative. Make sure your deck answers all key questions a VC will ask, and fix any weak spots now so your fall story is bulletproof.
Organize your financials & data: Update your financial model and projections, and get your data room in order (cap table, metrics, legal docs, etc.). Being due-diligence ready means you can move fast when VCs bite.
Boost your traction: Spend the summer growing your business – push product updates, sign new customers, increase revenue. The more progress you make now, the stronger your story will be in the fall.
Research target investors: Make a list of VCs and angels who invest in your stage/sector (especially those active in Europe/UK). Do your homework on each, and line up warm introductions if possible. By September you should know exactly who you’re approaching and why.
Plan your process now: Map out your fundraising timeline now. Decide how much you need and prepare to run a tight process (e.g. concentrate meetings within a few weeks in September/October and aim to secure a term sheet by late October). A rapid, well-organized fundraising sprint can create competitive pressure and FOMO among investors.
Pre-warm some investors: If any investors are around, grab coffee or have casual intro calls (without a pitch). Building a bit of rapport now means you’ll have warm contacts to hit up in the fall, rather than 100% cold emails.
Conclusion
Summer might feel like a frustrating dead zone for fundraising, but it doesn’t have to be wasted time. Think of it as prep time. Investors may be off the radar in July and August, but they’ll be back in September looking to make deals. If you use the summer to tighten your deck, grow your metrics, and pinpoint your targets, you’ll be ready to sprint through the fall funding window. Don’t view the summer slowdown as a setback – see it as your chance to build an edge. Do the work while others relax, and you’ll hit September in full stride, ready to close your round before the next holiday lull.
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OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
SX Live Community
AI Innovations in Post-Sales CX
Join this event to explore how global enterprises are transforming post-sales customer experience using AI, amidst rising customer expectations, fragmented data, and increased operational pressures. It offers strategic discussions, product deep dives, and real-world case studies focused on rethinking CX architecture, managing change, and preparing for an AI-driven future.
In-person event
52 Chiswell St, London, EC1Y 4SA, UK
Thu 12 June, 11:00 - 17:00 BST
Enterprise Nation
Funding with Virgin StartUp
This event provides an overview of the current funding options available to small businesses, focusing on Start Up Loans and the accompanying business support. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to access finance tailored to help their businesses start and grow.
Online event
Thu 12 June, 12:00 - 13:00 BST
Techspace
Leading Through Shifts and Shocks: ft. Steve Vamos (ex-CEO, Xero)
A panel of seasoned leaders will explore how organizations and their teams can effectively grow and adapt amid unexpected challenges, focusing on the human factors essential for successful change. The event features inspiring discussions, a Q&A session, refreshments, music, and a takeaway copy of a new leadership book.
In-person event
25 Luke St, London EC2A 4DS, UK
Thu 12 June, 18:00 - 21:00 BST
Innovators Uncensored
Cardiff Start-Up Social
Join a relaxed and inspiring social where start-up founders, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts connect to share the real highs and lows of building a business. The event offers candid conversations, networking opportunities, and insights into the early-stage journey of launching and exiting a start-up.
In-person event
Dominions Arc, Cardiff, CF10 2AR, UK
Thu 12 June, 18:00 - 21:00 BST
Giakaa Capital
Building a Sustainable Future & Technology
A global investment and innovation platform that connects finance, technology, and sustainability to drive capital into clean energy, regenerative finance, and decentralized governance. Terra Forum brings together investors and industry leaders to align financial returns with verified impact, championing a future powered by sustainability and inclusive democracy.
In-person event
Regent's Park, London, NW1 4SA, UK
Fri 13 June, 14:00 - 17:30 BST
Enterprise Nation
Where to Find Business Ideas
This session explores how business ideas emerge from sparks of inspiration to the urgency of solving real problems and how to transform them into actionable concepts. Attendees will learn methods for validating ideas and uncovering the foundational elements that drive purpose-led entrepreneurship.
Online event
Fri 13 June, 19:00 - 19:30 BST
SeedLegals
What It Means To Be Sustainable From The Start
Join this practical webinar explores how early-stage startups can authentically integrate sustainability into their business from the ground up. It offers clear guidance, real tools, and actionable insights to help founders make a meaningful impact without a massive budget.
Online event
Fri 13 June, 19:00 - 20:00 BST
PLUGGED
Residentials Vol VII: Founder Fireside & House Party
A relaxed yet high-energy event designed exclusively for founders, blending meaningful conversations with social connection. It kicks off with an intimate fireside chat and winds down with a vibrant party atmosphere—ambition meets good vibes.
In-person event
Killburn High Road Area, London, UK
Sat 14 June, 16:00 - 00:00 BST
Blackout Tuesday VC
Blackout Tuesday Birthday
Join a gathering of Black founders, investors, and professionals to celebrate progress, share lessons, and explore the future of inclusive entrepreneurship. Through keynotes, conversations, and performances, the event creates space for reflection, inspiration, and connection.
In-person event
Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 2AH, UK
Tue 17 June, 16:00 - 19:00 BST
Fundraising Playbooks
How To Raise Funds and Influence Investors
This high-impact masterclass offers founders a proven strategy to fast-track investor responses and secure meetings, no network required. It delivers practical, no-fluff tactics to cut through the noise, bypass gatekeepers, and unlock real results in VC fundraising.
Online event
Tue 17 June, 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Enterprise Nation
Online Small Business Meet-Up: Kent
Join this online meet-up offers small business owners a relaxed and supportive space to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. It’s designed to foster collaboration, solve challenges, and inspire growth across all sectors.
Online event
Tue 17 June, 18:00 - 19:00 BST
Creative AI Network
Creative AI Network June Meet-Up
This event offers insights into the intersection of AI and creativity through presentations by three AI filmmakers. Attendees will also have the chance to connect and network with industry professionals and fellow creatives.
In-person event
201 Wood Lane, London, W12 7TQ, UK
Tue 17 June, 19:00 - 21:00 BST
Incisive Ventures
From Pre-Seed to Seed in less than 9 months
Join to hear the founder of WithCiviq.com share his rapid journey from stealth mode to securing pre-seed and seed funding in under nine months. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and milestones of early-stage startup growth.
Online event
Wed 18 June, 17:00 - 18:00 BST
Novabook
First Pitch to First Cheque | 12 Months On
This event offers pre-seed and seed stage founders candid insights and practical advice from Series A founders who were in their position just a year ago, sharing lessons learned on fundraising, growth, and overcoming early-stage challenges. Attendees can expect diverse founder stories and valuable networking opportunities to help confidently navigate their next steps.
In-person event
201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AB, UK
Wed 18 June, 18:30 - 21:00 BST
Fouundry Office Hours
Fouundry Office Hours + "What Do VCs Want In 2025" Roundtable (Late-Seed & Series A)
Join this monthly Office Hours series offers late-seed and Series A founders expert mini-consultations on fundraising, legal terms, and go-to-market strategy, plus a roundtable discussion on investor expectations. Attendees also benefit from peer networking in a supportive environment to refine their business plans and grow their startup community.
In-person event
2 Swan Ln, London, EC4R 3TT, UK
Thu 19 June, 14:00 - 17:00 BST
Pre-seed to Succeed
Leap: Online Speed Dating
This invite only event connects 10 carefully selected pre-seed B2B SaaS and AI startups with 10 active investors through rapid 7-minute one-on-one meetings designed to spark meaningful conversations. Investors will also vote to fast-track the most promising startup to the next investment stage.
Online event
Thu 19 June, 18:00 - 19:00 BST
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