Funding support event heads to Yorkshire

A national business support initiative is set to visit Yorkshire to help SMEs connect with investors and unlock growth opportunities.

The FUEL roadshow, delivered by funding and advice specialist UMi, will arrive at AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham on June 10. 

The event aims to bring small and medium-sized businesses face-to-face with funders, investors and advisers, helping them become investment ready.

Following a successful launch in Newcastle, where more than 180 one-to-one meetings took place and funding offers exceeding £2 million were secured, the roadshow is expanding its reach across the UK.

Businesses attending the Yorkshire event will have the opportunity to access tailored advice, build relationships with potential funders and explore options to finance their growth plans.

The initiative has also backing from the UK Government, with small business minister Blair McDougall MP underlining the vital role SMEs play in driving economic growth.

Mr McDougall said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in Yorkshire with over 400,000 of them employing more than one million workers. 

“However, too many still lack the finance to unlock their full potential to create jobs, opportunities, and growth.

“This is why we are increasing access to finance across the UK through the British Business Bank, and why roadshows like these are so important, providing businesses with the right knowledge, guidance, and expertise they need to grow.”

County Durham-headquartered UMi, which has supported UK businesses since 2007, has helped unlock £1 billion in investment through grants, loans and private sector funding. 

The organisation continues to play a key role in delivering business support programmes across the region.

Nicki Clark OBE, chief executive of UMi, added: “FUEL has been designed so business owners up and down the country can have access to everything they need in one place over the space of just one day – by enabling attendees to have direct, tailored, one to one conversations with investors, advisors and industry figures, they can go away confident in the knowledge that they are on the right path and take the next steps to successfully access finance for their business.

“Too many brilliant businesses are held back by complexity, jargon and missed opportunities, and despite the UK having a world-class financial services sector, many SMEs face persistent and quantifiable barriers to securing finance to survive and thrive. 

“FUEL isn’t a ‘trade expo’ but more so ‘get it done’ workshops and meetings where those delivering ambitious growth plans, overcoming cash flow challenges, or diversifying, can get the support they need.” 

Backed by partners including NatWest, Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance, CO4CH, CBI, Department for Business, Small Business Commissioner and British Business Bank, the FUEL roadshow is part of a wider programme of events taking place across the UK.

Upcoming events will take place in Edinburgh, Liverpool, the South East, the Midlands and Cardiff, with more information to follow. 

Business owners interested in attending any of the events above can book tickets, or register their interest in future events, via the website: www.fuelroadshow.co.uk.

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