Igniting Growth: A seed funding case study
Seed rounds can feel like a maze—lots of promise, but tricky to navigate. In this seed funding case study, we break down how London-based About:Energy pulled off a £1.5 million haul under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and what you can learn. We’ll also show how Oriel IPO’s commission-free, SEIS-focused marketplace can help battery tech founders cut through red tape and close rounds with confidence. See this seed funding case study to revolutionise investment opportunities in the UK
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of:
– Why SEIS matters for tech startups.
– How About:Energy built trust with top investors.
– The step-by-step playbook to replicate that success with Oriel IPO’s platform.
Ready? Let’s spark your next funding success.
Why SEIS Is a Game-Changer for Battery Tech
Getting off the ground in battery innovation isn’t cheap. SEIS offers up to 50% income tax relief on investments up to £100,000 per tax year—plus capital gains relief and loss relief if things go south. That tax safety net turns ordinary angels into eager backers.
Key SEIS perks at a glance
- 50% income tax relief on qualifying investments.
- Capital gains exemption on SEIS shares held for three years.
- Loss relief, shielding up to 50% of any write-downs.
- Low minimums—perfect for early testing rounds.
In our seed funding case study, About:Energy tapped SEIS to turn green-tech excitement into cold, hard cash. Over 20 angel investors—ranging from HighSage Ventures and Vireo Ventures to OakNorth CEO Rishi Khosla—joined forces, propelling their The Voltt platform from lab prototype to industry staple.
Real-World Success: About:Energy’s £1.5M Round
About:Energy isn’t a household name—yet. But their data-driven software, The Voltt, solves one of the biggest bottlenecks in battery R&D: costly physical prototyping. Virtual models of cells, materials and systems live in one central library. Teams run simulations instead of breaking open hundreds of cells.
The result?
– Faster design cycles.
– Smoother supplier selection.
– Major cost savings.
Investors took notice. With backing from Plug and Play, Electric Revolution Ventures and several university spin-outs, About:Energy has:
– Built a London battery lab.
– Expanded to five IP licenses from top UK institutions.
– Integrated modelling and machine learning pipelines.
Their trajectory proves SEIS can supercharge technical startups—if you follow the blueprint.
How Oriel IPO Streamlines Your SEIS Journey
You understand SEIS now—but the paperwork, vetting and investor outreach can still feel overwhelming. Here’s where Oriel IPO shines:
- Commission-free marketplace: Unlike crowdfunding platforms that deduct a slice of your funds, Oriel IPO works on transparent subscription fees. You keep more of every pound raised.
- Curated SEIS/EIS deals: Only eligible startups make the cut, so registered investors browse high-quality opportunities.
- Expert resources: From step-by-step SEIS/EIS guides to live webinars, you get jargon-free support at every turn.
- Centralised pitch deck hosting: One portal, one link—no chasing multiple investor inboxes.
Imagine launching your own seed funding case study on a platform built just for SEIS deals. Investors who know the tax rules don’t need a crash course. They just click, evaluate and commit.
Step-by-Step: Attracting Your Own £1.5M
Follow these actionable steps to emulate the About:Energy success story:
- Prepare a concise pitch deck.
– Problem, solution, market size and traction.
– Use simple visuals from your R&D data. - Validate SEIS eligibility.
– Check the £150,000 maximum per company.
– File your advance assurance with HMRC. - List on Oriel IPO.
– Submit your company profile, due diligence docs and pitch.
– Lean on Oriel IPO’s support team for fast feedback. - Launch your funding round.
– Update investors via the portal.
– Showcase lab demos or virtual prototypes. - Close and celebrate.
– Once you hit your target, HMRC releases the tax relief certificates.
– Onward to product scale-up and industry decarbonisation.
Halfway through, you’ll wonder why you ever struggled with email threads and manual data requests. Apply insights from this seed funding case study via Oriel IPO
Overcoming Common Pitfalls
Starting a SEIS round has its hurdles:
- Complex rules: Miss one form and you lose relief for all investors.
- Investor fatigue: Angels see dozens of pitches a month.
- Regulatory changes: Tax law tweaks can upend your timeline.
Oriel IPO’s educational tools keep you ahead of the curve. Their HMRC-sanctioned guides explain new policies in plain English. And webinar sessions let you ask questions live. It’s like having a dedicated advisor—without the hefty retainer.
Why Oriel IPO Outshines Crowdfunding Giants
You’ve probably heard of Seedrs and Crowdcube. Solid platforms, no doubt. But they:
– Charge success fees of 5–7% on funds raised.
– Cater to broader sectors, which means your battery tech may get lost in the mix.
– Offer limited tax-scheme support, so you still need a SEIS specialist.
Oriel IPO stays laser-focused on early-stage, SEIS/EIS-eligible startups. The result:
– Lower costs.
– Faster time to market.
– Investors primed for tax-efficient deals.
Get Started Today
Raising a SEIS-backed seed round doesn’t have to be a chore. With a clear blueprint from About:Energy’s £1.5 million success and Oriel IPO’s tailor-made marketplace, you’re set to carve your own path. Ready to create your own seed funding case study and secure commission-free investment? Start your seed funding case study with Oriel IPO


