Startup Funding Series: The Founder’s Guide to Non-Dilutive Capital

Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pm (AEDT)

Speakers:

• Remco Marcelis, Co-Founder & CEO, Standard Ledger
• John Nixon, R&D Tax and Grants Specialist, Standard Ledger
• Kylie Little, Head of AU Ecosystem, Lighter Capital

Raising equity isn’t the only way to fund growth. In 2026, it shouldn’t always be the default.

With fundraising taking longer and investor expectations higher, many founders are turning to non-dilutive capital to extend runway, reduce dilution and buy time before (or alongside) an equity raise.

This practical session is designed to help startup founders understand which non-dilutive options are available, how they fit together, and how to use them deliberately rather than out of urgency.

R&D tax offsets are often the fastest win. For many startups, that’s tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars already spent and still sitting with the ATO. But R&D is just one tool in a broader funding toolkit, and using it well means planning ahead, not scrambling at the deadline.

Join Standard Ledger and Lighter Capital for a founder-focused discussion on how to think about your capital stack, timing and trade-offs when equity isn’t the only answer.

What we’ll cover

• Non-dilutive capital, demystified - What counts as non-dilutive funding, including R&D tax offsets, venture debt and other alternatives.
• R&D as a capital planning tool- How to unlock FY25 R&D tax offsets before the 30 April deadline, and how to structure FY26 so you can lodge earlier and get cash back sooner.
• Beyond R&D: other non-dilutive options - Which alternatives are actually worth founders’ time, when they make sense, and where they can complement (or replace) an equity round.
• Sequencing & timing - How to layer different funding sources without boxing yourself in or hurting future fundraising.
• Common mistakes founders make - Where non-dilutive funding goes wrong (over-optimism, poor preparation, or using the wrong tool at the wrong stage) and how to avoid costly clean-ups later.

You’ll leave with clearer expectations, stronger preparation, and concrete next steps for your fundraising journey.

Who should attend

• Startup founders and scale-ups looking to extend runway in 2026
• Teams planning an equity raise and wanting to reduce dilution
• Founders relying on (or planning to rely on) R&D tax offsets
• Anyone responsible for cashflow, runway or funding strategy
• Founders using non-dilutive funding to plan your overseas expansion

Spots are limited. Register now and bring your questions.

🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards.

📅 Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026

⏰ Time: 12pm - 1pm AEDT

About the host & speakers

Remco Marcelis, CoFounder + CEO at Standard Ledger

LinkedIn

Not your average accountant, Remco founded Standard Ledger to shake up how startups handle their finances. With over 15 years as a CFO/Fractional CFO for high-growth SMEs and a background in venture capital, he knows exactly what it takes to scale. A chartered accountant with an MBA from the University of Adelaide, Remco’s passion is simple: helping founders raise capital, scale and navigate the exciting (and challenging) growth journey.

Dr John Nixon, R&D Tax and Grants Specialist, Standard Ledger

LinkedIn

There aren’t many people who know the R&D Tax Incentive like John does. He’s spent almost 20 years working on it from every angle – as an applicant at Adelaide’s water utility, for the regulator at AusIndustry, for clients at KPMG, then his own consulting practice, and for us! He’s handled R&D claims and grants applications from the simple to the complex; for banks, tech giants, and space startups.

These days, he’s using his skills and knowledge at Standard Ledger to help our startup and high growth SME clients keep the cash coming in the right direction (inwards!), by building a pipeline of government assistance.

He might have a PhD in applied maths, but John is no normal maths geek. He’s a science and tech one, too.

Kylie Little, Head of Ecosystem of Lighter Capital, Angel Investor

LinkedIn

Kylie is the Head of Ecosystem (AU) at Lighter Capital, where she drives engagement across Australia’s startup and advisory ecosystem to grow awareness of non-dilutive capital and help founders access funding, without giving up equity. With over 25 years’ experience as a founder, operator, and advisor, including building and exiting multiple startups and leading the Climate Tech portfolio at KPMG High Growth Ventures, she brings a founder-first perspective and a strong commitment to helping startups scale locally and into the US through meaningful ecosystem partnerships.