We met David Orman at our inaugural Corporate Innovation Dinner, to provide insights to startups on how to connect with established brands. We wanted to find out more about him and his startup Hatch.

What’s the elevator pitch for your startup?

Hatch is a new advisory firm set up help shape start-ups for success. We provide access to the right skills, experience and contact to accelerate business growth when time and resources are scarce.

What were you doing before you launched your startup?

Having spent years working in media and sport, including at some high profile start-ups, I was suddenly offered the opportunity to become an investor. I have spent the last 4-5 years raising an early stage investment fund, investing in start-ups and supporting start-ups across two separate portfolios.

Where did you meet your co-founders?

My partner, Alex Gowar, was at Betfair when I was at QPR. I spent many months trying to get Betfair to sponsor QPR – but it turned out Alex was only there to enjoy the QPR hospitality…. Something I found out years later.

Earlier this year, during a conversation about the work we were both offering to start-ups as independent consultants, we decided to come together and launch Hatch.

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?

As an investor coming from an operational background, you realise that you can’t always get as involved as you would want to. Its not your company and founders will build out their proposition in their vision.

What will 2014 bring?

Hopefully a enjoyable year in building out the Hatch proposition, and working with up to 10 great start-ups in the UK, helping them to succeed.

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the sector?

Recognise early on what you don’t know and bring together the right team to give you the best chance of success.

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.

Hatch has been set up to help start-ups succeed. We work with high-potential technology businesses in the Media, Sport, Gaming, Betting and Fintech sectors. Hatch is an operationally-focused advisory firm helping small companies accelerate growth by focusing on brand, communication and commercialisation strategies, leading into fundraising.

What’s your favourite startup in the sector (not including your own)?

FrameBlast – best video app out there!

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

The Dishroom … Yum

Thanks for joining us David. Hope to see you around our table again soon!

To learn more abour our upcoming tables, go here.