I help startups secure the funding they need to move from lab to market. Drawing on 14 years in the startup world — as an early employee, founder, and now advisor — I support innovators in navigating grants, investment, and growth opportunities.
Who I Am
I’m Graeme Allen, an Innovation Consultant at Zaz Ventures and Venture Scout with Flashpoint VC and LvlUp Ventures. With 14 years in startups — from early employee to founder — I now help deep-tech and impact ventures secure funding.
“Innovation has never been just about the technology. It’s also about people, and the systems they live and work in”
For me, innovation has never been just about the technology. It’s also about people, and the systems they live and work in. By combining commercial insight, human-centred design, and systems thinking, I work with founders to turn bold ideas into sustainable ventures that matter. That experience shapes the way I now support the next wave of innovators.
What I Do
Funding Strategy
Guidance on building the right mix of grants, investment, and partnerships.
Innovation Funding
Support with grants, proposals, and funding applications.
Deep-Tech & Impact
Focused on ventures tackling global challenges.
Why I Do It
My Motivation
Having lived through the highs and lows of startup life, I’ve seen how funding can make or break great ideas. That experience drives me to support founders facing the same challenges today.
My Mission
The right funding at the right time can turn groundbreaking research into solutions with real-world impact. My mission is to help deep-tech and impact startups access the resources they need to move from lab to market and change the world.
How I Do It
Because purpose means little without execution, here’s how I approach it in a way that keeps my interests aligned with the founders I support.
“I don’t charge startups — my fees are paid by investors”
I don’t charge startups — my fees are paid by investors. And because investors only pay me when they decide to invest, my interests are fully aligned with the founders I support.
“I only succeed when founders succeed.”
I only succeed when founders succeed, which is why I work selectively and commit deeply to the ventures I choose.
In practice, my work has two main pillars:
Grant Support
Helping founders prepare competitive proposals, navigate complex application processes, and secure non-dilutive funding.
Investment Readiness
Guiding startups as they refine their strategy, sharpen their pitch, and build the investor confidence needed to raise equity.
Alongside this, I help investors identify and connect with ventures that combine strong science with thoughtful execution and real potential for impact.
“At its core, my work is about ensuring pioneers have the resources they need to keep moving forward.”