New support hub targets start-up funding gap

A Newcastle-based finance start-up is aiming to tackle funding challenges for early-stage businesses with the launch of a new support community.

CO4CH has unveiled its free Finance 4 Founders (F4F) platform, designed to provide structured financial guidance and peer support to entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

At the heart of the initiative is the Fund programme, which launches with its first cohort and offers a structured curriculum focused on raising capital. 

Delivered three times a year, the programme equips participants with practical skills including building financial models, understanding investors and preparing for due diligence.

The wider community brings together resources, templates and shared learning spaces to help founders strengthen their financial knowledge and make informed strategic decisions.

It also includes monthly Money Masterclasses and sessions featuring insights from both founders and investors.

Beth Crosier, founder of CO4CH, said: “Finance 4 Founders builds on our existing pro bono work, extending support to founders navigating finance and fundraising without access to the necessary means or expertise.

“The number one challenge we hear from founders is a lack of financial literacy, which often acts as a barrier to growth, confidence and investment readiness.

“We believe financial knowledge and education shouldn’t be gatekept. 

“Capital should not depend on who you know, where you’re based or whether you speak the same language as investors.

“This is about helping founders take back control. 

“If we can give them the confidence, knowledge and community to navigate finance and fundraising on their own terms, we change the game.”

CO4CH developed the platform through direct engagement with founders, refining its content through previous masterclass programmes to ensure it reflects real-world challenges.

The launch comes amid ongoing difficulties in accessing funding, particularly for underrepresented groups, with women receiving less than two per cent of venture capital investment in recent years.

Founded in 2025, CO4CH offers financial modelling, fundraising support and fractional CFO services to growing businesses.

Founders can join F4F here.

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