Looking Back on a Year of Building

At the start of 2025, I was deep in R&D, testing the limits of AI reasoning models, infrastructure performance, and practical use cases in the funding ecosystem.

My mission was simple: to see how far technology could take us in levelling the playing field for founders.

From that work came GrantIQ, a bulk assessment tool for government and large-scale grant administrators, designed to streamline evaluation and improve transparency. Alongside it, we launched AssessmentIQ - built specifically for founders who want an independent, data-informed review of their draft grant applications before they submit. It’s a tool that helps founders see their applications the way assessors do, so they can refine, strengthen, and submit with confidence.

This was a year of testing, iterating, and proving that AI isn’t a replacement for human judgement - but a framework for fairness and readiness.

Navigating Change (and Algorithms)

Outside of funding, I’ve been exploring the ever-shifting world of digital visibility.

I tested a wide range of advertising platforms, far beyond Facebook and Instagram, and was struck by how quickly the landscape is evolving. Between algorithm changes, AI-powered avatars, and new audience tools, founders now need to invest as much time in learning the tech as they do in using it.

It’s a constant balancing act: understanding what’s new without losing sight of our objectives, milestones, and the human connection that technology should enhance, not replace.

Wins, Learnings, and the Reality of Funding

This year I’ve been fortunate to secure new grant funding - thank you Spark Business Grants - and I have several other applications pending assessment.

I’ve also worked alongside an incredible group of founders. Some celebrated funding wins. Others faced the sting of “unsuccessful” outcomes.

But I see every one of those results differently.

A grant decision doesn’t define a founder - the clarity gained through the process does.
Many of those “unsuccessful” applications led to new products, new strategies, and sharper business positioning. Those are the real wins.

Because every founder I’ve worked with this year is more confident, more focused, and more strategically aligned than when they started.

Community, Connection, and Deep Gratitude

I am deeply humbled by the number of women who have reached out and connected with me in 2025.
Each conversation, each project, each story has enriched my life and business immeasurably.

I’ve always believed that the Funding4Growth community is more than a network, it’s a movement of founders determined to create financial strength, freedom, and influence. Your trust in me isn’t something I take lightly. I feel a genuine responsibility to ensure you’re equipped and empowered to navigate the complex, sometimes chaotic, world of funding.

Global Adventures and Personal Highlights

March took me to Austin, Texas for SXSW - a whirlwind of innovation, conversation, and creativity. I met incredible women doing world-changing work in tech, film, and music.

Then to New York for a Female Founders event - a room of 1,000+ powerhouse women, energy overflowing. It was there I had the surreal experience of handing Sara Blakely a copy of my book (she’s quoted in the foreword), and a quick photo moment with Rebecca Minkoff - a small but joyful milestone that felt symbolic of the year’s theme: connection through courage.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

If I’m honest, I’ve been sitting on an income plateau for five years. In 2026, that changes. I’ve made a clear, measurable commitment: to double my income. Not through hustle, but through clarity, structure, and alignment.

To support that, I’m launching the long-imagined FUNDiD Membership - a dedicated space for founders to access guidance, tools, and community as they scale their funding success. Invitations for foundational members will roll out in January.

Alongside it, I’m rebuilding the Funding4Growth Knowledge Hub to ensure every founder steps into 2026 equipped with the skills, data, and frameworks to secure fit-for-purpose funding. A key focus will be embracing AI in the grant preparation process - not as a shortcut, but as a capability-builder. Together we’ll explore how to embed efficiencies, leverage the collective intelligence of the metasphere, and blend that with the wisdom of our lived experience. This is where real innovation in funding begins: human intelligence, amplified by technology.

International expansion is also underway, starting with the UK and Europe, as Funding4Growth begins its next chapter as a truly global business.

A Simple Ritual to Close the Year

Before we step into the energy of 2026, I invite you to pause.
Grab a notebook or open a blank page. Write three lists:

1. What I’m letting go of — habits, fears, or stories that no longer serve.

2. What I’m proud of — moments of progress or courage, however small.

3. What I’m calling in — the energy, people, and opportunities you want to invite next year.

Burn, shred, or safely release the first list. Keep the second and third somewhere visible, a compass for your next evolution.

This small ritual clears space for what’s waiting to unfold.

Closing Reflection

2025 was about experimentation, recalibration, and expansion - both technical and personal.
2026 will be about consolidation, community, and courage.

For every founder who took a big swing this year and felt the stretch - I see you.
You’re not behind. You’re building momentum.
Small, consistent steps will always beat overnight leaps.

✨ As we close the year, I’d love to hear from you — share your wins, your lessons, and your vision for 2026. Let’s celebrate the journey together.

With much love, 
Lisa xo