West Midlands small businesses set for boost at region's biggest funding event

Organisers of the The West Midlands Business Funding Summit set to be held in Birmingham on November 20 say the event will bring together investors, financial institutions and business advisers to help companies and entrepreneurs navigate the funding opportunities and support on offer.

Oxford Innovation Advice, which runs the Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness programme, believes that businesses across the region could secure significantly more investment if the complexities of finance were made easier to understand.

More than 600 businesses in the West Midlands have unlocked £2.5m of investment through the programme, which aims to boost SME growth through finance, with a further £24m on the horizon.

Jane Galsworthy, managing director of Oxford Innovation Advice, said: "We have nearly four decades of experience in supporting SME businesses to grow and raising finance is often a key part of scaling. We understand that the range of funding and support that is available can be confusing.

“This event is about much more than just identifying the right source of finance and how to access it – it’s about introducing start-ups and established businesses to the organisations, experts and networks which can help them build their business.

“For entrepreneurs in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country looking to educate themselves on finance, opportunities to grow, or network, this event is unmissable.  The day aims to help businesses leverage the funding eco-system to achieve their growth ambitions.”

As well as keynote speeches from organisations which have successfully secured investment, panel discussions at the STEAMhouse event will explore the opportunities on offer with tips for entrepreneurs on how to prepare their business for external finance.

“This summit comes at a great time for those businesses which may have been holding back from making decisions while awaiting clarity from the Autumn Budget," she added.

"While we recognise there is an increased tax burden on businesses, there are still significant opportunities for growth with the right financial skills and investment in place.

“Over the last year, the Investment Readiness programme has helped 650 companies enhance their finances, with 13 businesses successfully securing more than £2.5m of funding. One of our most recent successes saw West Midlands toy retailer, Booghe Toys, secure £1.2m to invest in its growth. Over the course of the programme, we’re hoping to support around 2,000 SME businesses and entrepreneurs to grow."

A number of exhibitors from across the finance landscape will be there to provide funding insights for SME businesses, including Barclays Business Bank, ART Business Loans – Aston Re Investment Trust, Pro Enviro, Frontier Development Capital and Mercia Ventures.

There will also be a handful of professional organisations exhibiting to provide advice and guidance on the wider support available for SME businesses.

The free to attend event is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

All sectors are invited to attend, with organisers particularly encouraging manufacturing, creative industries, technology, and food and drink businesses from across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country.

Places are limited to 175 delegates and are available via Eventbrite.