Fundraising isn’t a pitch deck moment—it’s a process. And if you treat it like a last-minute sprint, you’ll lose more than equity.

In this 5 in 5 episode, Hakeem Adebiyi shares five hard-earned lessons every founder needs when raising capital, especially at pre-seed, seed, or early Series A. From avoiding diluted equity to knowing what investors actually care about, this episode helps clinician-founders and MedTech entrepreneurs approach funding with strategy—not desperation.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Approach fundraising as a structured process, not a one-off event
2. Get in front of investors without relying on warm introductions
3. Lead with the problem—not the tech—when pitching
4. Avoid damaging credibility by targeting the wrong investors
5. Understand what investors look for right after they say “yes”
6. Use preparation as your best defence against unnecessary dilution

Whether you're building a medical device, a healthtech platform, or preparing to scale internationally, this episode gives you the mindset and tactics to raise smarter and protect what you’ve built.

Raising investment as a healthcare founder isn’t about better science it’s about understanding investors.

In this episode of The H-Files, we’re joined by Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and founder of VC Fast Pitch, to break down how healthcare and health-tech startups can raise funding without losing control of their company.

Scott shares practical insights from working with thousands of founders and investors worldwide, including:

1. How healthcare startups can get in front of investors without warm introductions
2. What investors really look for beyond clinical data and technology
3. How to pitch healthcare innovation in a way investors care about
4. Common fundraising mistakes that cost founders equity
5. How to think about valuation, dilution, and milestone-based fundraising
6. Why building investor relationships early is critical to successful raises

Whether you’re a healthcare founder, health-tech entrepreneur, or early-stage startup planning a fundraise, this episode will help you pitch smarter, protect your equity, and avoid costly mistakes.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l6gxX9_vJeQ

Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hands-on-business-the-h-files-unlocking-growth/id1548129226

📝 Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes

#healthcare #podcast #hfiles #businessgrowth #investing #startup #healthtech

Breaking into the US healthcare market is one of the toughest challenges for medtech and healthtech founders and most underestimate just how slow, disciplined, and evidence-driven it really is. In this 5 in 5 from The H-Files episode, I share five hard-earned lessons from working with companies trying to scale into the US. In just five minutes, you’ll learn why speed doesn’t equal success, how the wrong distributor can quietly kill momentum, and why clinical data and cash flow matter more than optimism.

This episode covers:

1. Why the US healthcare market rewards preparation, not speed
2. How to spot weak or generalist distributors
3. Why clinical proof is non-negotiable in US sales
4. The real cash realities of US distribution
5. How to avoid partnerships that look good early but fail later

If you’re a medtech founder, healthtech leader, or healthcare startup planning US expansion, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a strategy that actually works. Comment or message which action you took and what surprised you.

Listen to Full Episode: https://youtu.be/3v8N7F2gGqo

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hands-on-business-the-h-files-unlocking-growth/id1548129226

Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes

#healthcare #us #usmarket #5in5 #podcast #hfiles #medtech

Are you a clinician-founder planning to export your medical device to the US and wondering why traction is so slow—despite having a working product?

In this episode of The H-Files, US distributor Brian Hantzis shares what clinician-founders often get wrong when entering the American market—from relying on generalist distributors to underestimating clinical validation timelines. We break down what US hospitals, buyers, and partners really care about—and how to build a go-to-market strategy that avoids wasted time and lost margin.

1. Learn how to evaluate US distributors to avoid misalignment and slow deals
2. Understand why clinical data and value analysis are critical to adoption
3. Discover pricing, margin, and partnership models that support long-term scale
4. Listen now to simplify your go-to-market plan, protect your prototype’s value, and build a MedTech business that scales in the US.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3v8N7F2gGqo

Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hands-on-business-the-h-files-unlocking-growth/id1548129226

📝 Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes #podcast #distributors #distributor #healthcare #hfiles

In this Five in Five episode, I pull out five powerful lessons from my conversation with Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of one of the UK’s most respected home care brands. Amrit shares how leaders can protect purpose and stay commercially strong without losing the heart of the business. We explore: - Why profit is the fuel that makes high-quality care possible - How a long-term vision should shape your next seven days - Why values aren’t posters they’re hiring and firing criteria - How to turn “soul” into repeatable processes as you scale - The moment where planning must end and real work begins

Listen to Full Episode: https://youtu.be/YwCAoSTrbQI

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hands-on-business-the-h-files-unlocking-growth/id1548129226

📝 Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes

#healthcare #podcast #businessgrowth #5in5 #homecare

I sit down with Walfinch CEO Amrit Dhaliwal to discuss how purpose-driven home care businesses can grow sustainably while staying true to their mission. Amrit reveals how he uses strong values, long-term vision, and EOS to create consistency across his franchise network and maintain high standards of care.

They also look at the future of the sector, the shift toward home healthcare, and what leaders must do to protect the “soul” of their business as they scale.

Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YwCAoSTrbQI

Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes⁠⁠⁠

EOS Book: https://amzn.eu/d/iCWEdLP#podcast #healthcare #homecare #carehomes #Walfinch #businessgrowth #handsonbusiness #hfiles

In this 5 in 5 episode, I share five powerful insights from the conversation with Lorraine on what it really takes to make transformation last in healthcare. From embedding habits to leading with compassion, each takeaway reveals how leaders can build cultures where improvement becomes part of the organisation’s DNA.

You’ll hear why change is easy but true transformation is hard, how purpose, process, people creates a strong foundation, and why involving teams directly leads to better, faster results. I also explain why leaders must stay in their lane and empower others to own the work.

Packed with practical action points, this episode is your quick guide to creating sustainable, meaningful transformation in healthcare teams and systems.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/nL5U14SgREc

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hands-on-business-the-h-files-unlocking-growth/id1548129226

📝Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes

In this episode, I'm joined by leadership coach and LA Insight founder Lorraine Armijos to explore how healthcare leaders can drive meaningful, sustainable transformation without burning themselves or their teams out.

Together, we discuss the difference between change and transformation, the rising pressures on healthcare leaders, the importance of compassion, the power of the ADKAR model, and how strong systems can keep teams moving in the right direction.

Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KBSsfLu0ugU

Join the mailing list to get the show notes for every episode here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thesalesaccelerationformula.com/podcast-show-notes⁠⁠⁠

#podcast #healthcare #leadership