New NEA2F guide signposts North East SMEs to investment and advice

The fifth annual guide for North East businesses seeking start-up and expansion investment has been published with updated information on current sources of finance and support.

The latest North East Access to Finance (NEA2F) Guide contains indispensable information for businesses as well as for fund managers, accountants and corporate finance lawyers looking for investment for their clients.

The 2014 Guide, with new sponsorship from the entrepreneurial commercial law firm, Square One Law, is the first port of call for SMEs in the region seeking finance. The guide includes information on public sector investment funds, equity and loan funds, business angels, grants, and information on the services offered by business support agencies.

Ian Gilthorpe, senior partner at Square One Law said: “The guide acts as a signpost for businesses to direct them to sources of finance and support that are relevant to their needs and currently available in the region and we fully support NEA2F as we understand how important this guide is for companies looking for finance to grow.”

The guide allows businesses and their advisers to access up-to-the-minute information from 250 sources of funding and business support as well as need-to-know advice on legal issues and tax incentives for both businesses and investors. The site complements the printed booklet and provides a user-friendly, easy to navigate source of information.

NEA2F chairman, Geoff Hodgson, said: “Despite the economic upturn, SMEs are still facing problems accessing finance from traditional sources such as banks.

“The majority of businesses in the North East are classed as SMEs and the Guide is a key part of our commitment to supporting them.

“The Guide is an important source of information in the joined up approach to signposting businesses towards support and advice. The smart provision of this kind of information is a key part of encouraging business growth.”

NEA2F manages the legacies from the region’s investment funds for SMEs and is working with Tees Valley LEP and the North East LEP to facilitate the creation of a successor to the current publicly backed investment funds.

Geoff Hodgson said: “As we prepare to launch the 2014 Guide, for these and many other reasons, 2013 will be remembered as a successful year and one which laid building blocks for the future.”

The guide can be downloaded here.