Funding and Finance Summit
Raising in a challenging investment environment
Tech leaders from across the South West are invited to a free event to get concrete learnings from investment experts and learn how to access finance.
As the sector continues to navigate choppy economic waters, Tech South West is delivering the first region-wide Funding and Finance Summit to provide expertise and insight for tech businesses in the region.
This free event will take place via Zoom on 20 April 2023 from 0930-1130 and is aimed at the tech sector's business & finance leaders and entrepreneurs. It will provide access to expert financial advice and insight on raising investment in a challenging environment.
April 20
9.30am - 11.30am
Online
Workshop details
How to use non-dilutive funding to accelerate innovation
This interactive session with Granted Consultancy will explore what non-dilutive funding is, how it can help your business and what the options are at different growth stages.
Innovation grants will also be explained in detail, including what's available, what to consider when, and innovating to accelerate growth and investment.
Finally, we'll take a deep dive into R&D tax credits and how to access them.
Using debt to scale up a tech business
An interactive panel discussion led by Chris Mears of Growth Lending, with the chance to ask your questions.
A small panel of debt providers will come together from the debt and alternative finance world, to help you to examine the options when using debt to scale your tech business.
Investor readiness: what investors look for
- Key dos and don't when connecting with investors
- What information you need to prepare
- Telling the story of your business
- Making your business attractive to investors
- What does 'good' look like in terms of KPIs?
How to get your startup idea funded?
In this session, JP and Darren of Who's Fabio? will share their Recipe for going from “I have an idea” to your first round of funding. 72% of founders that have implemented the Recipe with Who's Fabio? have secured funding and got their startup off the ground.
Have you ever thought about what needs to be true of your startup idea before you can secure funding from investors?
How to approach your first VC funding round
How do VCs generally think about evaluating opportunities, and how can you assess whether your business would meet common criteria?
How can you catch the attention of VCs and deliver a knock-out pitch?
James Bateman, Head of Mid-Market Private Equity Partnerships at Microsoft, will take you through all you need to know and give you the chance to ask questions.
How to angel invest like a pro
Topics will include:
- What to look for in a great investment
- The numbers behind a successful portfolio
- How to maximise your chances of a successful exit
Full schedule
09.30 - 09.40
Welcome and introductions
Tech South West and Mercia
09.40 - 10.10
First round of workshops
Investor readiness - what investors look for
Mercia Asset Management
How to use non-dilutive funding to accelerate innovation
Sara Palmer, Granted Consultancy
Using debt to scale up a tech business
Chris Mears, Growth Lending
10.15 - 10.45
Second round of workshops
How to get your startup idea funded
Darren Ball and Juan Pablo Luchetti, Who’s Fabio?
How to approach your first VC funding round
James Bateman, Microsoft
How to angel invest like a pro
Roderick Beer, UK Business Angels Association
10.45 - 11.15
Panel Discussion: ‘Raising in a Challenging Investment Environment’
- Ed Tellwright - British Business Bank (chair)
- Chris Dyson - Ashfords
- Rafael Joseph - Mercia
- Sara Palmer - Granted
- James Bateman - Microsoft
- Juan Pablo Luchetti - Who’s Fabio?
11.15 - 11.30
Networking
Meet the speakers
Sara Palmer
HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS | GRANTED CONSULTANCY
Chris Mears
REGIONAL HEAD - DEBT FINANCE | GROWTH LENDING
Rafael Joseph
INVESTMENT MANAGER | MERCIA ASSET MANAGEMENT
Adam Watts
VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR | MERCIA ASSET MANAGEMENT
Darren Ball
DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER | WHO'S FABIO?
Juan Pablo Luchetti
PASSION AND CO-FOUNDER | WHO'S FABIO?
James Bateman
HEAD OF MID-MARKET PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERSHIPS | MICROSOFT
Roderick Beer
MANAGING DIRECTOR | UK BUSINESS ANGELS ASSOCIATION
Chris Dyson
PARTNER & HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY SECTOR | ASHFORDS
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