A pioneering design leader, investor, and coach, Andy helped shape the UK’s UX and digital product scene. As co-founder of Clearleft and creator of events like UX London and Leading Design, he’s left a lasting mark on the industry. Now a Venture Partner at Seedcamp, he advises startups on design, product, and growth, blending creative insight with commercial strategy.
Which talk/panel did you speak at?
Fundraising
Can you share a bit about your background?
’m a former design agency founder turned startup advisor and investor. I co-founded Clearleft here in Brighton, one of the UK’s first UX consultancies, and later became a Venture Partner at Seedcamp, a leading early-stage VC fund. These days I spend my time helping founders grow their businesses, whether through investment, coaching, or my recent book The Growth Equation.
What inspired you to speak at EVOLVE [25]?
Brighton’s always been home for me. I founded dConstruct in 2005 and co-founded the Brighton Digital Festival a decade later, both to help build the local tech scene. We’ve got an incredible community of talented makers, but many still struggle with how to scale, raise funding, or tell a compelling growth story. As one of the only VCs based here, I wanted to offer founders a rare inside view of how investors think—and what it really takes to stand out.
What was the key message or idea you most wanted the audience to take away from your talk?
That fundraising isn’t any harder than it’s always been – it’s just that we’ve come down from a short, unrealistic high during the pandemic. Yes, things feel tighter compared to 2021, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a normal environment. VCs are still writing cheques – they’re just being more focused.
The real challenge is that many founders misunderstand what VCs are looking for. They think people are investing in their idea, but most investors have seen that idea before – and expect to see it again. What really matters is you. Why is this the right team, right now? What gives you an edge? Do we believe you can build a billion-dollar company?
You’ve got to tell a clear, compelling story that answers those questions quickly. Most VCs see 7,000 decks a year and invest in maybe 20. They’ll likely spend less than 3 minutes on yours – so if your deck doesn’t instantly communicate your credibility, ambition, and insight, you’ll get passed over.
Were there any audience reactions or questions that really stood out to you?
There was a lot of curiosity around how to even start the fundraising journey – especially if you’re not already in the right circles. That really reinforced for me how important it is to create spaces like this in regional communities, where people can ask questions and get unfiltered advice from folks on the other side of the table.
How does the topic you spoke about connect to your current work or passion projects?
Helping early-stage founders raise funding and find product – market fit is a big part of my day job, whether through Seedcamp or coaching. I recently published The Growth Equation, which is a playbook for early-stage growth, especially for founders trying to go from zero to their first $1M in revenue. I’m also passionate about making the startup world more accessible to people outside of traditional networks – especially those building interesting companies in places like Brighton.
What emerging trends or challenges in tech (or your field) are you most excited about right now?
I’m fascinated by how capital efficiency is becoming cool again—building smart, sustainable companies instead of chasing vanity metrics. I’m also watching how AI is reshaping product development and opening up new startup opportunities. There’s a lot of noise, but also some genuine shifts happening in how companies are being built.
What advice would you give to someone looking to make an impact in your area of expertise?
Start talking to customers early and often. Don’t wait for everything to be polished before you test your ideas. And when it comes to fundraising, realise that storytelling is just as important as spreadsheets. Your job is to make investors believe in your ability to build something big—so show them you’ve thought it through, and that you’ve got the insight and ambition to go the distance.
How do you see the future evolving in your industry over the next few years?
I think we’ll see more founders building outside of London—and more investors paying attention to them. Places like Brighton have always had creative and technical talent, but now the infrastructure and ambition are starting to catch up. I’d love to see more breakout success stories from the South Coast in the next few years.
What was your favourite part of the EVOLVE experience?
Seeing the Brighton tech community come together again with so much energy and curiosity. It reminded me of the early days of dConstruct, when there was a real sense that something exciting was happening here. Events like EVOLVE help spark that again.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects, initiatives, or goals you’re excited to share?
I’m continuing to support founders through Seedcamp and coaching, and promoting The Growth Equation, which I hope becomes the go-to guide for anyone trying to grow a startup from scratch. I’m also exploring new ways to support local and regional founders—whether that’s through events, content, or community projects.
What’s one book, podcast, or resource that’s inspired you recently?
I really enjoyed the Lenny’s Podcast episode with Bob Baxley. His reflections on design leadership at Apple and Pinterest were full of thoughtful insights—especially around how great products stem from strong internal culture, not just clever ideas. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming episode with Jake Knapp. He’s always full of practical, founder-focused advice—and incidentally, he wrote the cover quote for The Growth Equation, so I’m curious to hear more of his thinking around startup execution and momentum.
How can people connect with you or follow your work after the event?
You can find me on LinkedIn or on Bluesky at @andybudd.bsky.social. Always happy to connect and continue the conversation.