--- title: Services | SBA description: SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance, fundraising readiness reviews, business valuations and NED support for UK founders. Fixed fees from £500 + VAT. --- [![Sapphire Business Advisors](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/hubfs/Sapphire%20Adviser%202026%20Assets/Sapphire%20Business%20Advisors.svg)](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk?hsLang=en-gb) [![Sapphire Business Advisors](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/hubfs/Sapphire%20Adviser%202026%20Assets/Sapphire%20Business%20Advisors.svg)](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk?hsLang=en-gb) - [About us](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/about) - [Services](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services) - [Why Us](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/why-us) - [Contact](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/contact) - [Pricing](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/pricing) - [Blog](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/client-success-stories) ###### Our services # Get investor-ready, with advisers who sit on the investor side of the table. ## We help UK founders secure SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance, value their business, prepare for a raise and strengthen their board. Fixed fees, clear deliverables, fast turnaround. Part of the Sapphire group. Our team has worked at Goldman Sachs, PwC and Sapphire Capital Partners, which has launched 50+ venture funds since 2009. [Book a free 15-minute call](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#contact-us-popup) [See our fixed fees](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/pricing?hsLang=en-gb) Around 100 Advance Assurance applications approved 300+ Portfolio companies across the Sapphire group 48 to 72 hrs Turnaround on a readiness review 17 years Working with SEIS and EIS investors ## Four ways we help Pick the service that matches where you are. Not sure? Book a free call and we will tell you honestly what you need, and what you do not. 1 #### SEIS & EIS Advance Assurance **Most popular** **For:** UK startups about to raise from angel or fund investors who want SEIS or EIS tax relief. •  Eligibility check before you apply. •  We prepare and submit your HMRC application. •  Review of your business plan and forecasts. •  Support with any HMRC follow-up questions. **From £500 + VAT, fixed fee.** [Find out more about Advance Assurance](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/seis-eis-advance-assurance?hsLang=en-gb) [Start your application](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#start-application) 0 + AA approvals 2 #### Fundraising Readiness Review **Before you raise** **For:** founders who want an investor’s honest view before they pitch. •  Review of your pitch deck, financial model and fundraising plan. •  Written assessment with a readiness scorecard and action plan. •  60-minute discussion with a senior adviser. •  Delivered within 48 to 72 hours. **From £1,000 + VAT, fixed fee.** [Find out more about the Fundraising Readiness Review](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/fundraising-readiness-review?hsLang=en-gb) [Book a review](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#book-review) 0 + Businesses reviewed 3 #### Business Valuations **Know your worth** **For:** companies setting a share price for a round, a transaction or long-term planning. •  IPEV valuation method used. •  Written valuation report you can share with investors. •  Call to walk you through the findings. •  Delivered within 15 working days. **From £5,000 + VAT, fixed fee.** [Find out more about Business Valuations](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/business-valuations?hsLang=en-gb) [Request a valuation](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#request-valuation) 0 + Portfolio companies 4 #### Non-Executive Director Support **After you raise** **For:** growing businesses that need experienced board-level challenge and governance. •  Four board meetings attended per year. •  Investor reporting and governance support. •  Strategic input on your next funding round. **From £500 + VAT per meeting.** [Find out more about Non-Executive Director Support](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/non-executive-director-support?hsLang=en-gb) [Discuss board support](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#discuss-board-support) 0 years board experience ## How it works **1. Free 15-minute call** Tell us where you are and what you are raising. We will say which service fits, if any. **2. Fixed-fee proposal** You receive a short scope, the fee and the delivery date in writing. No hourly billing surprises. **3. We deliver** A named senior adviser does the work and walks you through the results. × A free, no-obligation 15-minute call with a senior adviser about your raise. We can talk through SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance, a fundraising readiness review, a business valuation or board support, and tell you honestly what you need, and what you do not. Nothing to prepare in advance. Boyd Carson co-founded the Sapphire group in 2009. He spent 12 years in PwC’s M&A due diligence practice in New York, has founded and exited a number of start-ups, and is an Honorary Professor and an Assistant Instructor on Harvard University’s graduate course in venture capital. ## Why founders choose us Most advisers see Advance Assurance from the paperwork side. We see it from the investor side. Our sister firm, [Sapphire Capital Partners](https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk), has backed 300+ companies through 50+ venture funds, so we know what investors check for and what slows a round down. Your work is led by Boyd Carson FCA, who spent 12 years in PwC’s M&A due diligence practice in New York and is an Honorary Professor of Practice in Venture Capital at Queen’s University Belfast. ### “Your knowledge of the EIS rules, especially in regard to property and construction, was critical to the success of the HMRC application.” Alan Collie, Managing Director, Tamla Construction Limited ### “We were unable to obtain advance assurance with another advisor, but the experience of Sapphire was invaluable in obtaining our SEIS and EIS advance assurance.” Roger Jones, Director, DSDC (UK) Limited ### “Our EIS application wasn’t straightforward … Sapphire’s expert advice was crystal clear throughout; unquestionably, it proved crucial in our eventual success in obtaining advance assurance.” Neil MacKay, easyCoffee Limited ### “We were amazed at how quickly Team Sapphire obtained our SEIS EIS Advance Assurance letter from HMRC. Their work in preparing our SEIS EIS application and the investment memorandum was outstanding.” Wellington Majora, Celdron Limited ### “Sapphire were very professional and understood all the difficulties of doing an EIS application for a company based in the Netherlands. They held our hand throughout the entire process and provided a first class service.” Richard Irwin, Genalice B.V. ## Common questions **Who is behind Sapphire Business Advisers?** We were founded by Boyd Carson and Vasiliki Carson, who co-founded the Sapphire group in 2009. Boyd is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with over 30 years in financial services. He spent 12 years in PwC’s M&A due diligence practice in New York, and has founded and exited a number of start-ups across eCommerce, property and renewables, so he brings a founder’s perspective as well as an investor’s. A Harvard University alumnus, he teaches on Harvard’s graduate venture capital course and is an Honorary Professor of Practice in Venture Capital at Queen’s University Belfast. Vasiliki has more than 25 years’ experience in finance, private equity and advisory. She began her career at JPMorgan, worked in PwC’s M&A due diligence practice in New York, monitored private equity fund performance at Goldman Sachs in New York and Tokyo, and later returned to PwC in corporate finance advisory. She holds an Executive MBA from Cambridge Judge Business School, where her thesis examined how the EIS model could broaden access to venture finance, as well as the CFA UK Investment Management Certificate and the EIS Association Diploma. **Who will actually do the work?** Every project is led by a named senior adviser, supported by our team of analysts with backgrounds in finance, economics and accounting. You will know who is working on your project from the start, and you can speak to them directly. **What is Advance Assurance?** It is HMRC’s early view that your company is likely to qualify for SEIS or EIS. It is optional, but many investors will not commit without it, because it gives them comfort that their tax relief should be available. **How long does HMRC take?** HMRC usually responds within 2 to 6 weeks, but timings vary and are outside our control. **What happens in a Fundraising Readiness Review?** A senior adviser reviews your pitch deck, financial model and fundraising plan the way an experienced investor would. You receive a written scorecard and action plan, followed by a 60-minute discussion. It is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. **When do I need a business valuation?** Usually when you are setting a share price for a funding round, preparing for a transaction such as a sale or buy-in, or planning for the long term. You receive a written report you can share with investors, and we walk you through the findings. **What does Non-Executive Director support involve?** An experienced adviser joins your board to provide independent challenge, help with governance and investor reporting, and give strategic input ahead of your next funding round. The scope and term are agreed with you in writing. **How much do your services cost?** Our services are fixed fee. We confirm the scope, fee and delivery date in writing before any work starts, so there are no hourly billing surprises. **How are you connected to Sapphire Capital Partners?** [Sapphire Capital Partners](https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk) is our sister firm in the Sapphire group. It is authorised by the FCA and manages venture capital funds. Sapphire Business Advisers is a separate business. Working with us does not mean you will receive investment from any Sapphire fund, and we do not introduce clients to investors. **Is Sapphire Business Advisers regulated by the FCA?** No. We provide business advisory services that do not require FCA authorisation. We do not give investment advice, promote investments or arrange investment deals. **Can you guarantee approval?** No one can. The decision is HMRC’s. What we can do is make sure your application is complete, accurate and clearly argued. ## Let’s talk about your raise A free, no-obligation 15-minute call with a senior adviser. [Book a free call](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#contact-us-popup) [Email us](mailto:boyd@sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk) × SEIS & EIS Advance Assurance ## Start your application Leave your details and a senior adviser will be in touch to confirm your eligibility and the next steps. × Fundraising Readiness Review ## Book your review Leave your details and a senior adviser will be in touch to arrange your Fundraising Readiness Review. × Business Valuations ## Request a valuation Leave your details and a senior adviser will be in touch to discuss your valuation. × Non-Executive Director Support ## Discuss board support Leave your details and a senior adviser will be in touch to discuss board support. [Book a free 15-minute call](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#contact-us-popup) ![SBA Logo](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/hubfs/Sapphire%20Adviser%202026%20Assets/SBA%20Logo.svg) Sapphire Business Advisers provides specialist advisory services to early-stage and growing companies, including SEIS and EIS advance assurance, valuations, consulting and non-executive director support. ## Company [About Us](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb) [Services](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services) [Contact](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb) [Blog](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/client-success-stories?hsLang=en-gb) [Why Us](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/why-us?hsLang=en-gb) [Pricing](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/pricing?hsLang=en-gb) ## Services [SEIS & EIS Advance Assurance](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/seis-eis-advance-assurance?hsLang=en-gb) [Business Valuations](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/business-valuations?hsLang=en-gb) [Fundraising Readiness Review](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/fundraising-readiness-review?hsLang=en-gb) [Non-Exec Director Support](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/non-executive-director-support?hsLang=en-gb) ## Contact [Email Us](mailto:boyd@sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk) [Schedule A Call](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/services#contact-us-popup) ## Legal [Privacy Policy](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/privacy-and-ai-policy?hsLang=en-gb) [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/terms-conditions?hsLang=en-gb) © 2026 Sapphire Business Advisers. 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