CERTAINTY ONE

I am Richard Goat, and I have been incredibly fortunate to work for some terrific companies, large and small, and in doing so have had the enormous satisfaction of meeting wonderful people who were not just colleagues but became lifetime friends.

In that very long career, I believe I can claim to have done almost every possible job in the IT industry from operating mainframes through software development, consultancy, sales, marketing, VP and CEO several times.

I have acquired companies and sold them, so have experience of Mergers and Acquisitions.

For the past fifteen years, I have helped a significant number of young founders get started, and drive their companies into the market and be successful.

In some startups, I have provided initial funding to deliver working technologies and then helped the founder seek additional funding from Angels and Investment funds.

Currently, I am supporting two in Health Tec, one in Food Tec and another in B2B Influencer Marketing.

About Me

Jumping into Startups

After 15 years working for IBM, then the giant of the tech sector, I felt I knew everything, so I was ready for anything startup companies had to throw at me.

Youthful arrogance is a wonderful thing but the years following this decision showed me that there were still a few things I had to learn.

I can say with confidence that I loved every job I have had although some proved far more challenging than at first sight.

2. Value Added Medical Products, VAMP, was the leading provider of software systems for UK GP practices in the 1990’s.
   • In addition to the software and hardware business, we also built what at that time was the world’s largest epidemiological research database.
   • Major studies using the data were run by our partner in the US, Harvard Medical School.
   • The company was sold to Reuters as part of its diversification strategy at that time.
   • The database was donated to the NHS to ensure the value of the studies was maximized.
   • For many years, the VAMP story was used as a case study at the London Business School to show how challenges in startups could be overcome with good management initiatives.

3. PMPL, This was a software and services startup focused on data cleansing and aggregation.
   • It specialised in the Financial Services sector.
   • We developed sophisticated software and databases for extracting, cleansing and analysing data to build complex Data Warehouses.
   • These were essential for any company wanting to implement CRM software solutions or migrate to a new administration system.
   • The company was acquired in a trade sale on a good valuation and management earnout.
   • I moved to the new owner to manage their nine acquisitions.

4. NVIGORATE, This was a Marketing Consultancy company operating mainly in the USA as a Gold Partner implementing SAS solutions for large corporate clients.
   • I was originally the investor and Chairman but became CEO eventually.
   • The business was acquired in a trade sale and I joined the Board of the acquirer.
   • We then completed the sale of that company to a large US organisation.

Using My Experience to Help Startups

1. The Good Care Group was a company that provided qualified carers to live in the homes of people with complex conditions such as Dementia and strokes.
   • I was both an investor and NED for six years.
   • In that time we won pretty much every award for domiciliary care in the home.
   • A refinancing in 2016 and a trade sale in 2019 meant that all the investors and staff received a significant financial return.

2. ACTION FUNDER, previously called Project Dirt, provides a platform and services support for companies wanting to work with community projects.
   • Major initiatives with large organisations have driven the impact and revenues up significantly.
   • I was an early investor and NED for six years then stepped away as all companies need fresh faces on the Board on a regular basis.

4. STROLLL is a world-leading, truly innovative company using computer games technology with software that helps people with Parkinsons’ walk and exercise better.
   • Their products have just been approved for sale in the US by the FDA.
   • I am an investor and advisor to the Founder and to the Sales Manager

5. TRIED AND SUPPLIED is another of my investment and Advisory roles.
   • The company has a software platform for suppliers of sustainable food and drinks to connect with hotels and restaurants.
   • It has also carved out a strong reputation for its new ESG reporting service which has become an urgent requirement for the whole Hospitality sector.
   • A major factor in establishing itself so rapidly is that it has run the Better Hospitality Conference for the past two years.

6. Finally, my latest startup and investment and advisory role is with re;mind.
   • PTSD and general trauma are huge problems all over the world, but little research has been carried out and technology does not play as key part as it should.
   • The founder got PTSD in the London Bridge and Borough Market Terror attack. Having a tech background, she has written and now launched a self-help App that is proven to be useful in recovery. I and a colleague provided initial funding to reach this stage
   • We are currently raising funds to market the App and expand its capabilities to include some key elements of AI.