Cash? Oh, it’s flowing in 2025 (thanks to the British Business Bank 🙏)

Hey there,

We’ve had a short hiatus from our usual newsletter programming as we’ve been gearing up for the launch of our legal hub (which gives businesses an expert legal team in their back pocket - at up 90% cheaper than a single lawyer. Make sure you’re on the waitlist so you receive first access and 30% off, the discount decreases next week…)

But we’re excited to be back in your inbox today to:

1. 🙋‍♀️ Answer the one legal question we’ve been asked most this past month by founders and startups.

2. 📰 Summarize a noteworthy piece of news (and why it’s relevant to you). 

3. 🎉 Update you on several events this month that could bring value to you and your business.

Got a question you’d like us to answer next month? Just reply to this email and let us know.  

1. Our most asked question of the month:
How do I best incentivise my team?

Your team is at the heart of your business; they’re who you spend your days with, who your customers interact with, and can be the key factor in whether your business sinks or swims. 🏊‍♀️

So when you’re trying to decide the best ways to incentivise them, you want to look at what is most interesting or motivating to them individually (what are their goals or aims in life?), what will foster a stronger team dynamic and positive work environment, and what can you and your business realistically provide.

Most of our clients find it helpful to be able to look over potential options:

• Monetary incentives or financial incentives (salary increases, bonuses, gift cards etc)

• Profit share schemes (EMI scheme, Growth Share Plan) 

• Employee recognition programs (including awards, verbal and written recognition, peer recognition, or gifts)

• Flexible or additional holiday

• Flexible working

• Wellbeing support, health support or other wellness programs 

• Career opportunities including clear goals to promotion

• Professional memberships

• Fun social events and team building events and activities

• Volunteering opportunities

• Professional development opportunities  & tuition reimbursement

• Learning and development opportunities

• Employee perks (like retailer discounts, money back schemes, experiences etc.)

Especially if you’re looking to build a long-term team who feel part of your business’s journey, we recommend considering share-based incentives. These include:

1. Shares instead of bonuses 🥧

If one of your long-term goals is to keep your employees on board in the long term, or if cash is tight, consider awarding shares to employees instead of bonuses. 

This increases your team’s feelings of ownership in the business, allows your team to share in the success and profitability of your company, and could be a first step towards unlocking liquidity through a future management buy-out.

2. Incentivising key employees with an EMI scheme 📊

Another option is to offer your team shares via an Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme. 

An EMI scheme gives employees the option to buy shares in your company at some point in the future. The price the employee pays for the shares will usually be the value of the share at the time the option was granted. If shares rise, the employee ends up paying a discounted price on current market value.

However, to qualify for EMI your company needs to fit the following criteria:

• have less than £30m of gross assets

• be independent (not a subsidiary or controlled by another company)

• have no more than 250 employees

• have a permanent establishment in the UK

3. Growth share plan (GSP) 📈

If you don't qualify for EMI, a Growth Share Plan (GSP) is an alternative. The idea behind growth shares is that employees can acquire a special class of shares that have conditions attached – for example, the shares will only be worth something once the company has achieved a certain value, which is usually set at a much higher point than the company's current value.

2. Noteworthy News:
The cash is flowing… 💷

The British Business Bank announced the creation of the British Growth Partnership, a new vehicle designed to attract UK pension fund and institutional investment into venture capital funds and innovative businesses. 

Investments from the fund will be made on a long-term, fully commercial basis, independent of government, leveraging the Bank’s capability and market access to a range of promising high-growth UK companies. 

Over the coming months, the British Business Bank will seek to raise hundreds of millions of pounds of investment for this model, with the aim of making investments by the second half of 2025. 💸

This move is part of a broader effort to support high-growth UK companies and improve access to capital (love!). 🚀

3. Upcoming Entrepreneurial Events 🤓

November 11th: Modern Woman Business Brunch, Women’s Networking, and Speaker – learn insights from Entrepreneur Coach Sian Winfield on how to “Take your success to the next level,” covering key frameworks, actionable habits, and strategies for smart time management and self-awareness.

November 18th: Crocodile Lair: A Pitching Evening with SFC Capital – an evening of exciting pitches and meaningful connections with SFC Capital, the UK’s most active Seed Investment Fund and Business Angel Network.

November 21st: Growing With Purpose: A Founders Workshop For Business Success – as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Startups Magazine is hosting an exclusive morning workshop for founders and business owners.

November 28th-29th: Tech Summit London – experience incredible speakers, tech innovators, leaders, inspiration, insights, networking, connections, opportunities and more.

That’s all. We’ll see you again soon. 🫡 

And for your own sake, make sure to sign up to the waitlist this week, the 30% discount is ending soon…

– The SuLe Team