Everyone tells you that December is dead. They say investors are off skiing, offices are closed, and you should just put your feet up until mid-January.

I disagree.

Actually, I think this is one of the best times to be aggressive. Here is why.

The UK is cutting the unfair dismissal rule from two years to six months. This is part of the new Employment Rights Bill.

For founders, this changes the risk for every new hire. You no longer have a long buffer. Hiring mistakes will surface sooner and cost you more to fix.

The first six months are no longer a "warm-up." They are your only window to monitor performance and document issues. You need tighter interviews and a deliberate probation process from day one.

Adapt Before the Change Founders who prepare early adapt fastest. I help you build the discipline you need - selecting the right people and supporting them with clear, documented goals.

Is your probation process ready? WhatsApp me on 07340 847425 (Meena) or email [email protected] to audit your hiring framework and reduce your risk.

For the last few months, the UK investment market was holding its breath. Everyone was nervous about the Autumn Budget. There were rumors about changes to SEIS and capital gains tax that could have killed angel investing.

But the news came out a couple of weeks ago, and SEIS is safe.

The government left the important tax reliefs alone. This means there is a lot of "pent-up" money sitting in bank accounts that investors were too scared to deploy in October and November. Now the gate is open.

Most UK funds (especially VCTs and EIS funds) run on the tax year, which ends in April. They have to deploy their capital by then.

If they don't invest the money they raised, they look bad.

So while it looks like they are on holiday, the partners are actually under pressure to line up deals now so they can complete them in Q1. They need to spend that money before April 5th, 2026. If you stop pushing now, you are invisible when they are making their shortlist for January.

If you are fundraising:

If you are NOT fundraising:

I did some research for you. These top programs have applications open right now or coming up very soon. Use the downtime to fill in the forms.

👇 THE "DEADLINE APPROACHING" LIST

👇 OPEN NOW / ROLLING APPLICATIONS

Stop overthinking. Start applying.

I need a rest, just like you. It is important to switch off because you can't make good decisions when you are stressed.

But I am not stopping completely. I’m changing the scenery.

I’m heading to Italy for two weeks. I’ll be working from there, eating good pasta, and planning for 2026. The goal is not to stop working, but to work from a place that gives me energy.

Fundraising is a constant process. You don't ask for money when you need money; you build relationships constantly.

Use this time. Get ahead of the founders who are sleeping.

See you in January.

P.S.: no newsletter next week. I really do need a little break :-)

✅ If this was useful, pass it on. There’s a founder in your circle who thinks fundraising has stopped for the year - give them the nudge they need before they fall behind.

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👉 What do YOU think is the most uncomfortable truth in tech right now?