Member Article

North East firms match with UK-wide investors at FinanceCamp

Almost one hundred North East businesses captured the attention of multiple investors from across the country today (May 24) at an event designed to boost regional funding opportunities to help grow.

Held at Ramside Hall, FinanceCamp North East saw over 300 meetings held between firms and prospective investors in a day which included a number of fund-lenders visit the region for the first time.

The full-day event also included pitch preparations with presentation professionals and business plan support from a range of experts, coordinated by the North East Growth Hub.

Keynote speakers came from Atom and RealSafe Technologies – two regional firms that have succeeded in raising millions in investment – as well as North East Finance, Foresight Group and Beauhurst who revealed the latest in funding availability and investor trends.

A key target of the day was to help bridge the funding gap existing between the North and South, highlighted in a recent report by market intelligence company Beauhurst.

Figures in the report, entitled Funding innovation: the impact of equity and grant funding, shows the percentage of distribution of equity funding is just 3.9% in the North East, compared to 45.2% in London.

Estelle Blanks, Deputy Director of the Innovation SuperNetwork which organises FinanceCamp, said: “In the North East we are acutely aware of the need to improve access to finance for businesses with the talent and ambition to grow and that’s where FinanceCamp comes in.

“We make it easy for them to meet with a series of investors matched to their needs and the overwhelming response we’ve had from those registered is proof the format works for businesses and investors alike.

“There’s nothing quite like FinanceCamp elsewhere in the UK and we look forward to hearing the results of the introductions we made today.”

John Cordrey, Investment Manager for London-based investment fund Foresight Group, added: “It’s the first time I’ve attended the event and I’m really impressed by both the number of quality of businesses attending.

“I’ve met some really exciting companies. I would usually spend a week lining up as many pitches and gaining as much exposure for our fund as I’ve managed to squeeze into an afternoon.”