How we work
Our time upfront. Your terms agreed.
VPI helps prepare the business for funding and growth by committing executive time to the work. Fees are agreed for the scope, with payment structured through cash and shares as negotiated with the company.
The model, in plain terms
An agreed fee.
A considered mix.
We can commit executive time before a company has the cash to pay the full fee. The work still has an agreed value, and the company remains responsible for that fee.
Discuss an engagement$100 agreed fee
This is a split of the fee value, not 75% ownership of the company. The valuation, number of shares, payment dates and responsibilities are agreed separately in writing.
The commercial model
Three things to understand.
An agreed fee
The company owes the fixed fees agreed for the work. They are not calculated as a percentage of capital raised.
Cash and shares
The cash amount, share-based portion, valuation basis, and settlement terms are negotiated for each engagement.
Time invested upfront
Executives can defer compensation for their own work. This does not make the work free or make payment conditional on a successful raise.
The engagement
Agree what gets done, and how it is paid.
The written agreement governs the work. There is no automatic payment waiver if funding or profitability is not achieved.
- 01
Define the work
Set out the business question and expected deliverables. Identify who is responsible and what information the client needs to provide.
- 02
Set the commercial terms
Agree the fees, cash-and-share split, payment dates, and any deferred compensation.
- 03
Deliver and review
Work alongside management, review progress, and agree any changes to scope or fees before proceeding.
- 04
Close or extend
Review delivered work and outstanding obligations, complete the agreed handover, and document any next phase.
Before the first conversation
Start with the business need.
Tell us where the company stands, what it needs to achieve, and which decisions are approaching. Early discussions can cover the business model, current funding position, operating challenges, and the resources already available.
From there, define the work: deliverables, responsibilities, information requirements, timing, and the boundaries of the engagement. A seed-funding preparation project will have a different scope from an operational redesign or public-company readiness programme.
Useful information for a first discussion
- A short description of the business and its current stage.
- The decision, funding milestone, or operating problem ahead.
- The work already completed and the people currently involved.
- Your timing, constraints, and questions about the engagement.
A short summary is enough to begin. Avoid sending confidential documents or sensitive personal information in an initial enquiry.
Third-party costs stay with the company.
VPI contributes its own executive time. It does not pay legal advisers, accountants, contractors, software providers, or other third parties on the company’s behalf.
Expectations
Keep expectations realistic.
The purpose of an engagement is to complete agreed work and improve the company’s preparation.
Confirm the scope and commercial terms with VPI, and review share arrangements with the company’s own legal and financial advisers before entering an agreement.
These outcomes cannot be guaranteed:
- Funding or valuation.
- Commercial performance.
- Regulatory approval.
- Transaction outcomes.
Common questions
Clear expectations on both sides.
Does VPI invest cash in the company?
This engagement model describes an investment of VPI’s executive time. It is not a commitment to provide cash funding or to finance the company’s operations.
Does VPI pay our external providers?
No. The company appoints and pays its own external providers. This includes legal and accounting support, as well as contractors or software licences.
What happens if we do not raise funding?
The company remains responsible for the fees and obligations in its agreement. A delayed or unsuccessful raise does not automatically cancel the cost of work delivered.
Can you help us prepare for seed funding?
Yes. The agreed scope can cover business positioning, financial planning, funding materials, and the operational preparation needed for investor discussions. Funding is not guaranteed.
How do we know which services we need?
Start with the company’s current position and the decision ahead. We use that discussion to identify relevant work, dependencies, and the expertise required.