Before 9: Business Breakfast

Yesterday morning (04/02), founders gathered at Eve Kensington for Entrepreneur UK’s Before 9: Business Breakfast – an invite-only session designed to deliver practical, proven insights before the working day properly begins.

Early perspectives for founders who move fast
The focus was clear: offering smart strategies on how to build, fund and scale businesses in fast-moving markets. The speakers were Timothy Armoo, founder of Fanbytes and active investor, and Marine Tanguy, founder and CEO of MTArt Agency. Both have built global businesses, and both used the session to share hard-won lessons rather than theory.

Founders with different playbooks
Armoo founded Fanbytes as a teenager, building it into one of the UK’s leading Gen Z marketing agencies before exiting. He now advises and invests in early-stage companies, with a particular focus on market timing and trend-driven growth.

Tanguy launched MTArt Agency in 2015 to represent artists as entrepreneurs and integrate art into business and culture. The agency now works with global brands and institutions while maintaining a strong focus on founder control and long-term value creation. Despite operating in different sectors, both speakers shared a practical, founder-first mindset.

The reality of early fundraising decisions
A key discussion point was fundraising pressure at the earliest stages of a business. Tanguy spoke candidly about how founders often underestimate the long-term impact of their first funding round. “When you start out, you may feel willing to give everything for that first fundraising cheque,” she said. The comment resonated with founders who have faced the trade-off between speed and control.

Why equity and control matter early
Tanguy was clear that ownership structure should be treated as a strategic decision, not an administrative one. “I’m 70% shareholder. I would advise that everyone has the same shares, which is the case with our investors. Also, your rights need to be put into the document legally, and you should retain as much control as you possibly can.” Her message was direct: founders should not assume they can “fix” equity later. The decisions made in early rounds shape governance, leverage and decision-making for years.

Capital should accelerate, not dictate
Rather than warning founders off fundraising, Tanguy reframed it as a tool. Investment should help scale an already-clear vision, not replace it. Choosing aligned investors and protecting decision-making power were positioned as non-negotiables for sustainable growth. The takeaway was simple: raising capital is not success in itself – what matters is what it enables.

Timing is the real advantage
Armoo focused on the importance of market timing and trend awareness. Drawing on his experience building Fanbytes during the rise of TikTok, he emphasised that execution alone is rarely enough. “What are we going to surface now?” he asked, encouraging founders to look ahead rather than compete in crowded markets. Rather than focusing on perfection, Armoo shared a less conventional view on success. “If you pick the right wave, you don’t have to be the very best,” Armoo said. “The important thing is to pick the right wave.” His point was that fast-growing markets create momentum. Founders who align early benefit from demand, distribution and cultural relevance that can’t be manufactured later.

Both speakers shared one clear principle: clarity. Clarity on ownership, clarity on timing, and clarity on direction. Neither pushed hustle culture or growth at any cost. The focus was on building businesses that capture momentum without giving up control. The breakfast format reinforced this, with open questions, straight answers, and practical, actionable advice throughout.

Starting the day with intent
By the time the event wrapped up, attendees left with clear, actionable takeaways rather than abstract inspiration. Before 9: Business Breakfast delivered exactly what it set out to do: compress years of founder experience into a focused, early-morning conversation. For entrepreneurs building in competitive markets, the message was consistent – pick your wave carefully, protect your position early, and build with intent.

You don’t want to miss the next Before 9 Business Breakfast! Stay tuned to Entrepreneur UK for future events!