This is the first event in a three-part event series which will help growing ventures understand and develop compliance foundations that investors expect. The first event, a webinar, will be Wednesday 21st January.
Early-stage companies such as those in life-sciences operate in one of the most opportunity-rich—and heavily scrutinised—sectors in the UK. As they grow, seek investment, partner with strategic corporates, or prepare for acquisition, investors and financing banks will expect credible, proportionate governance foundations that protect and create value, and minimise avoidable risk.
This Investor-Ready Series has been designed for founders, senior leaders and operational teams in start-ups. Across three sessions, legal and regulatory experts as well as behavioural and cultural scientists from Ropes & Gray coupled with leading forensic advisers from Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA) – both of whom work extensively with investors and financing banks - draw on their deep experience with regulatory and financial crime compliance matters to break down what “good” looks like for early-stage companies:
- What investors, financing banks, and acquirers look for
- How to build scalable governance and compliance foundations with lean resources
- How to avoid the most common—and costly—financial crime, fraud, regulatory and controls pitfalls
- How early action protects and creates value, accelerates diligence and builds long-term resilience
Join us for the full series of three events which includes an opportunity to receive a dashboard tailored to your company to see where you stand against best practice and your peers.
Session 1 – Laying the foundations (Webinar; 21 Jan 2026, 11 – 12 noon on Teams)
Why should early-stage companies care about compliance (and how does that affect discussions with investors and financing parties)? What does proportionate compliance look like at this stage?
Speakers:
- Toby Duthie, Founding Partner, FRA
- Amanda Raad, Partner, Ropes & Gray
- David Dowling, Counsel, Ropes & Gray
To save your place:
- Cambridge Network members: £no charge
- University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University current staff and students: £no charge
- Non-members - £10+VAT. You may wish to join as a member from £110+VAT / year and come along to many other Cambridge Network events for free or at members' preferential rates.
- No refunds for non-attendance.
Click on Book Now, then click the login link on the next page to get your member discount. Alternatively, email [email protected] to set / reset your password.
Note the information for the other two events:
- Session 2 - Governance, Controls & Conduct (in-person event, 26th February. 10.30 – 12.30pm, talk 11 – 12 noon). Location: Cambridge, exact venue tbc
- Session 3 - Insights & Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Governance (In-person event; Date tbc, late March 2026)
