Strategic advisory for founder-led companies.

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Why
Tortoise Mind?

Hare brain, tortoise mind is an expression which refers to both the analytical (fast) and creative (slow) types of thinking. We bring both to bear when advising our clients on complex strategic, transactional and operational issues.

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Our services

01

Strategic

Financial planning Strategic transformations New market entry New product launch Investor & Board relations

02

Transactional

Fundraising Exits Acquisitions  Shareholder restructures Secondaries

03

Commercial

Go-To-Market Pricing Pipeline management Metrics & KPIs Operating rhythms

  • client Testimonial

    Sunshine

    Year

    2023

    Services

    Strategic, Financial Planning

    Summary

    Tortoise Mind was engaged by Sunshine to advise on its successful company restructure. We produced a financial model that considered different financing and operating scenarios. This enabled Sunshine's management team to effectively analyse its strategic options..

    "The speed, flexibility and depth of experience offered by Tortoise Mind proved invaluable during a rapid growth, dynamic phase for the business."

  • client Testimonial

    Northern Grimstone

    Year

    2021

    Services

    Transactional, *Transactional - fundraise

    Summary

    Tortoise Mind was engaged at the genesis of the Northern Gritstone journey by Independent Non-Executive Director, Andrew Graham, and founding COO, Russell Schofield-Bezer. We worked closely with Andrew, Russell, the Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) of the Universities of Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds as well as numerous academic staff to analyse and benchmark the R&D pedigrees of each university as well as their track record of IP commercialisation. This research formed the backbone of an investment presentation used in Northern Gritstone's successful fundraise of £215m (first close).

    "Tortoise Mind was a pleasure to work with on this engagement. They skilfully navigated a complex ecosystem of stakeholders to obtain huge volumes of R&D data, which they condensed down into a compelling investment narrative for Northern Gritstone."

  • client Testimonial

    Deeper Insights

    Year

    2022

    Services

    Strategic, Transactional, Operational

    Summary

    Dan Horner was interim-COO at Deeper Insights for most of 2022. During his tenure he worked closely with Founder and CEO, Jack Hampson, on a number of strategic, commercial and operational workstreams..

    "Dan came on-board and hit the ground running. He quickly became a trusted advisor to me and the Board, and many of the initiatives he led have set Deeper Insights up for the profitable growth its enjoying now"

We are a network of professionals that combine both top-tier professional services backgrounds (M&A advisory, accountants and strategy consultants) with hands-on operating experience at VC-backed startups and scaleups

who we are — FOunder & Ceo

Dan Horner

dan's experience

15 years' experience

5 years in M&A Advisory

10 years in VC-backed start-ups

BSc 1st Class Honours in Economics & Finance from the University of Bristol

Corporate Development

Dan started his career in M&A advisory focusing on financial services clients where he worked on large-cap (FTSE 100) buy and sell side mandates.

During his decade within VC-backed startups, Dan worked on numerous fundraises ranging from small convertible notes (£500k) through to large funding rounds ($50m). He’s had direct experience of raising from Angels, VCs, family offices and sovereign wealth funds.

Strategy

Dan has significant experience of strategic and financial planning at Board level. This has included overall company planning as well as developing strategic narratives / business cases for new product launches, international expansion, strategic partnerships and M&A.

During his decade within VC-backed startups, Dan worked on numerous fundraises ranging from small convertible notes (£500k) through to large funding rounds ($50m). He’s had direct experience of raising from Angels, VCs, family offices and sovereign wealth funds.

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