--- title: "Sunbathing or scaling? Founder tips to beat the quiet season" id: "423174" type: "post" slug: "founder-tips-to-beat-the-quiet-season" published_at: "2026-07-02T16:30:37+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-02T18:30:37+00:00" url: "https://seedlegals.com/resources/founder-tips-to-beat-the-quiet-season/" markdown_url: "https://seedlegals.com/resources/founder-tips-to-beat-the-quiet-season.md" excerpt: "Summers can be slow for startups but Ava Shoraka and Yanki Kizilates are here to help founders gain momentum during this time, with SEIS prep and cap table clean-ups." taxonomy_category: - "Startup Guides" - "Funding Guides" - "Video Zone" --- 2 min read Expert reviewed This article has been fact-checked by a SeedLegals subject matter expert. [Meet our experts](https://seedlegals.com/authors-and-experts/) and learn more about our review process and quality assurance in our [editorial policy](https://seedlegals.com/editorial-policy/) . # Sunbathing or scaling? Founder tips to beat the quiet season Published: Jul 2, 2026 Contents [Key takeaways](#key-takeaways) [Why you shouldn’t sleep on fundraising over the summer](#why-you-shouldnt-sleep-on-fundraising-over-the-summer) [SEIS/EIS : What you can (and should) do early](#seiseis-what-you-can-and-should-do-early) [Use the downtime to build investor confidence](#use-the-downtime-to-build-investor-confidence) [Expert contributorAnthony RoseCo-Founder and CEO](https://seedlegals.com/resources/author/anthony/) [WriterErin DeasyJunior Content Executive](https://seedlegals.com/resources/author/erin-deasy/) For founders, summer can feel like a standstill, investors go quiet, inboxes slow down, and it’s tempting to press pause. But the quieter months can also be a golden opportunity to lay foundations, get your house in order and gain a head start on your next raise. In this insightful session, funding expert [Ava Shoraka](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ava-shoraka-38a49a192) and investment expert [Yanki Kizilates](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yankikizilates/) from the SeedLegals Customer Experience team share practical, founder-tested ways to make the most of the off-season – from prepping your SEIS/EIS application and refining your cap table, to spotting strategic admin you can tidy now to speed things up later. Whether you’re basking in the sun or planning a product launch, this session will help you turn downtime into a decisive growth advantage. # **Key takeaways** ## **Why you shouldn’t sleep on fundraising over the summer** - Summer might feel slow, but it’s the perfect time to prep for a raise: fewer distractions mean more time to get investor-ready. - Proactive founders use this window to polish pitch decks, update financials, and build relationships before investor inboxes fill up again. - Investors often appreciate founders who stay active and organised through the “quiet” months, as it signals long-term commitment. ## **SEIS/EIS : What you can (and should) do early** - You can start your SEIS/EIS application without a confirmed investor – but HMRC expects at least 25% of the round in soft commitments. - Those commitments don’t have to be legally binding, but they must be genuine. This means no made-up names or placeholder promises. - Now’s the time to check shareholder structures, confirm eligibility, and avoid last-minute surprises that can delay your round. ### Perfect your pitch Use our free ultimate pitch deck template: includes step-by-step guidance and tips from investors [Get the free template](https://seedlegals.com/resources/pitch-deck-template-uk-startups/) **Tidy your cap table before it trips you up** - Summer is ideal for sorting your cap table. Early messiness creates headaches during due diligence. - Founders should clarify FFF (friends, family, fools) investments and ensure share classes, option pools and founder equity are cleanly structured. - Avoid overloading with micro-investors early, as it’s harder to negotiate future rounds if your table is cluttered. ## **Use the downtime to build investor confidence** - Update your lead list, write thoughtful outreach messages, and refine your pitch story. Small wins now will pay off in speed later. - Investors want to see traction, but also preparation: well-organised data rooms and confident messaging go a long way. Think of this as rehearsal season: practice your pitch, research your market, and sharpen your strategy. ##### SeedLegals events ### Connect with fascinating founders Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of SeedLegals events delivered directly to your inbox. By subscribing, you agree to receive information from SeedLegals. You can unsubscribe anytime. View our [privacy policy](/privacy-policy/) Fundraising tips from investors Insider insights from active VCs and angels. Learn how to sidestep common pitch pitfalls, and make a stellar first impression. ## Related posts [5 min readWhy you can't validate your startup idea, and what to do insteadMost founders think they have validated their startup idea. Here is why the evidence usually fails, and the three questi... 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