Roadshow fuels £6.1 million investment pipeline

A national business funding roadshow has powered up growth ambitions across Yorkshire after generating a £6.1 million funding pipeline.

FUEL: Yorkshire, delivered by County Durham-headquartered business support and funding specialist UMi, brought entrepreneurs together with investors, lenders and advisers at Rotherham’s AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The event delivered more than 150 one-to-one ‘Meet the Money’ appointments, alongside workshops and expert sessions designed to help businesses secure investment and accelerate growth.

Around 75 per cent of delegates left with clear next steps for their business, while 78 per cent said they intended to pursue finance directly as a result of attending.

Almost nine in ten also reported a better understanding of funding options and increased confidence in accessing finance.

The Yorkshire gathering represented the second stop on UMi’s national FUEL Roadshow, following its inaugural event in Newcastle.

Organisers deliberately selected Rotherham rather than a larger commercial centre to explore how high-quality funding support could be brought closer to businesses in areas that traditionally host fewer major business events.

Demand for finance was strong, with more than half of delegates seeking equity investment and around a third exploring a combination of funding options.

Most were looking to raise between £25,000 and £500,000 to support their growth plans.

The conference programme covered areas including investment readiness, pitching to investors and financial preparation.

Nicki Clark OBE, chief executive of UMi, said: “It is vital that frameworks exist to help our businesses grow and realise their potential, but it’s equally essential that these firms know how to access the support available to them.

“FUEL was created to make accessing finance simple for ambitious businesses, and the Yorkshire event demonstrates that quality conversations matter just as much as the number of people through the door.

“Creating a £6.1m funding pipeline and seeing delegates leave with greater confidence, practical next steps and having secured meaningful connections shows the real value the roadshow delivers.”

Paul Johnson, strategic lead – investment zone, growth and sector development for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, added: “South Yorkshire has many ambitious business owners who are looking to grow. 

“Access to the right finance, at the right time, is crucial to unlocking that growth. 

“It has been great to see those initial conversations at the roadshow have led to a significant funding pipeline.”

FUEL is supported by national partners including NatWest, Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance, CO4CH, the Department for Business and Trade, the Small Business Commissioner, CBI and British Business Bank, alongside the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Since 2007, UMi has helped unlock more than £1 billion of investment for businesses through grants, loans, equity finance and wider support.

The organisation is now taking FUEL to other parts of the UK, with its next event scheduled for Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on September 24, followed by London in December.

Further roadshows are planned for Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff.

Small business minister Lord Leong added: “One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses in Yorkshire is securing the right finance at the right time to invest, expand and create the good jobs local people deserve. 

“That is why we are proud to support roadshows such as FUEL, which bring practical advice, specialist expertise and potential funding partners directly to founder-led and owner-managed businesses. 

“By helping entrepreneurs understand their options, become investment-ready and access finance suited to their ambitions, FUEL helps turn growth plans into reality. 

“Our message to ambitious business owners is clear: wherever you are based and whatever your background, we want to help you overcome the barriers to growth, fulfil your potential and build the successful businesses and good jobs of the future.”

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