Biztech/UCMK Ask the Expert Event on Investment. Get inside the minds of investors looking to invest in MK & SEMLEP SME’s

Who should attend: Milton Keynes and SEMLEP SME’s looking to power their next stage of growth via investment.

Three expert speakers and investors will set the context and explore investor perspectives in order to give valuable insights to SMEs from across the South East Midlands region.

The investors lined up for the early evening event at UCMK, Milton Keynes Campus, in Avebury Boulevard, are:

• Lewis Stringer, MEIF Senior Relationship Manager, British Business Bank, who will set the investment context.
• David Glick, Founder and Chief Executive at Edge Investments and Tom Haywood,  Investment Manager, Foresight Group will give their perspective as investors.

The speakers will then form a panel and answer audience questions.

“Investment is the life-blood of growth for ambitious businesses,” said Fredi  Nonyelu, the chairman of Biztech technology forum. “As Milton Keynes looks to strengthen and extend its position as a centre for technology innovation and growth, the investment will form a crucial part.

“A part of Biztech’s role is to bring growth-oriented companies together to share knowledge, expertise and information, and the fact that we have been able to secure David’s attendance is a sign that the investment community is looking out from London and towards Milton Keynes for opportunities.”

Fredi added: “I would strongly advise any businesses that are looking to find out more about what investors look for, and what their terms and conditions might be, to attend this event.”

Amongst other funds, Edge Investments, manage an Enterprise Capital Fund (‘ECF’) in which British Business Bank is a significant investor.

Edge Investments focus on the creative industries sector, such as entertainment and media, as well as the technologies that support this sector. Businesses working in this sector may well be able to make key contacts.

The British Business Bank is the UK’s national economic development bank. Established in November 2014, its mission is to make finance markets for smaller businesses work more effectively, enabling those businesses to prosper, grow and build UK economic activity. The Bank’s remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the UK government.

The British Business Bank programmes are already supporting almost 3.4bn of finance to more than 59,000 smaller businesses, through over 100 finance partners, including Edge Investments. They are participating in a further £5.8bn of finance.

The Midlands Engine Investment fund was recently launched by the Bank and will invest in Debt Finance, Small Business Loans, Proof-of-Concept and Equity Finance funds, ranging from £25,000 to £2m, specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses secure the funding they need for growth and development. Foresight Group has been appointed by the Bank to manage the Equity Finance fund in the South East Midlands, which includes Milton Keynes and the surrounding area.

Tickets cost £15 plus VAT for Biztech Members and £18 plus VAT for non-members.  Light refreshments will be served.