Finance Birmingham event to fuel SME growth in the Midlands

Opportunity for businesses to access investment capital.

Finance Birmingham, a growing national provider of growth capital, is offering businesses from across the Midlands the chance to learn more about accessing some £90 million in funding to grow their operations at an event in the ICC next Thursday (3rd July).

The event, aimed at small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), will outline the various funds available and provide practical advice and guidance on how they can be accessed.

Sue Summers, Chief Executive, Finance Birmingham said:“Businesses with real market opportunity to grow are often hamstrung by a lack of finance. These businesses lose vital opportunities by not being able to fund changes as quickly as the market dictates, meaning they are left behind. We are looking to help these businesses with flexible funding solutions, delivered quickly to support their growth.

“SMEs with ambition and a viable plan for growth should come and talk to us about how we can help make their growth plans a reality.”

The funds on offer at the event are broad ranging and all sectors and all uses of funds will be considered. One of the funds that will be detailed at the event is the recently launched £56million Mezzanine Fund developed by Finance Birmingham in collaboration with the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), the Black Country LEP and the West Midlands Pensions Fund. The fund is the largest individual growth capital fund for SMEs in the West Midlands.

Managed by Finance Birmingham, the Mezzanine fund is expected to help more than 40 businesses and create or safeguard 5,000 jobs across the region over the next five years. The fund is given as mezzanine loans – an innovative finance, which sits between traditional debt and equity and avoids part ownership by investors. Businesses are able to apply for loans of between £250,000 and £2million to fund development and growth plans. Typical investments are around £1million.

Businesses are invited to attend either breakfast or lunchtime sessions on the 3rd July, where an overview of the funds available and their criteria will be given followed by opportunities to meet one-to-one with the Finance Birmingham team to discuss applications. Business support services from across the city will also be on-hand to offer advice and guidance on what they can offer growing firms. These include Marketing Birmingham’s SME Fast-Track service, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Aston Reinvestment Trust.

To register for the event and book a one-to-one meeting with one of the Finance Birmingham team, visit www.financebirmingham.com.