How Content & Coffee raised nearly half a million to make their dream come true

Growing takes money. And Content & Coffee, "the application lifecycle company," knew that all too well. With big ambitions for the future and a group of interested investors on board, their capital round seemed within reach. However, a missing financial plan and a clear valuation posed a challenge that needed to be addressed. Together with The Harbour, they set to work on turning their growth plans into a financial success story. The result? A smart financing mix that raised nearly half a million euros and positioned them for a strong future.

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The challenge

Content & Coffee, an ambitious company aiming to accelerate its growth trajectory, was ready for the next step. During initial discussions with The Harbour, it became clear that a proper valuation of the company was necessary to successfully complete the capital round.

Transparency was key. Although the business owners' personal relationships had already fostered trust, Content & Coffee chose to undergo a thorough exercise with The Harbour. It was essential to clearly communicate to investors what to expect from their investment and to present a feasible plan for the coming years. The process with The Harbour resulted in a clear financial plan and a sharply formulated vision that defined both ambitions and expectations.

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Our approach

The collaboration with The Harbour took place in two clear phases:

1. Development of the Financial Plan
   The first step involved creating a comprehensive financial plan. The Harbour team built a detailed model that fully integrated Content & Coffee's growth plans. This model not only provided insight into the impact of their plans but also calculated exactly how much capital was required to achieve these ambitions. Thanks to this transparent projection, the entrepreneurs themselves gained a better understanding of the steps needed to structure their growth.
2. Valuation
   After completing the financial plan, the company valuation process began. This step not only gave Content & Coffee insight into the value of their company but also provided a solid foundation for negotiations with potential investors. Both documents—the financial plan and the valuation—were combined into a clear, professional presentation that served as the basis for discussions with interested parties.
3. Compiling a Financing Mix
   During the analysis, it became clear that more capital was needed than originally anticipated. As a result, The Harbour assembled a financing mix that covered the required amount. This mix included:
   • Fresh capital from private investors
   • A loan from their home bank
   • Co-financing through ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV)

The Harbour not only provided strategic advice but also assisted Content & Coffee during negotiations with various financial parties, resulting in a more efficient and successful process.

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The result

The hard work and structured approach paid off. Content & Coffee successfully raised an impressive total of nearly half a million euros in funding.

Thanks to the carefully composed financing mix, Content & Coffee not only secured the capital needed to achieve their growth plans but also gained the assurance of a solid financial structure. Furthermore, the process provided valuable insights into financial projections, company valuation, and how to prepare a compelling investor file.

The combination of practical support and strategic guidance made the process not only successful but also an educational experience. Content & Coffee was not only pleased with the financial result but also with the professional growth they experienced along the way.

The legal side of the capital increase was also carefully managed. Four & Five  Advocaten supervised the equity increase of Content & Coffee BV in October 2024, ensuring all legal aspects were addressed. This included notarial matters—such as powers of attorney, the BAV, and amendments to the articles of association—along with follow-up of publications. Additionally, they drafted and finalized the Subscription and Shareholders' Agreement between all involved parties. They also reviewed management agreements and provided a proposal for further optimization.