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Desperately seeking finance

Innovative start-up companies are critical to the success of the UK economy, yet many entrepreneurs face the challenge of finding the advice and support on how they can access finance.

The British Library has taken note; the 'Desperately Seeking Finance' panel discussion on Monday 26 June assembles four leading business advisers who will reveal how to find sources of finance from the public and private sectors. The panel will expose the secrets of successfully tailoring your funding pitch to win support from high street bank through to business angel and venture capitalist.

The 'Desperately Seeking Finance' discussion panel runs from 6.30pm to 8.00pm on Monday 26 June 2006 at the British Library Conference Centre and is followed by a networking reception until 9.00pm. Tickets are free, but places are limited. To book a place at the event contact: events@bl.uk

For further details see: www.bl.uk/bipc/workshops.html#seeking

The panel comprises: Mike Conroy, Senior Marketing Manager, HSBC; David Sullivan, ACIB Financial Relationships Manager, Business Link for London; Colin Spiller, Marketing Manager, Strathdon Investments Plc and Chris Clothier, MMC Ventures. The discussion will be chaired by Matthew Rock, former Real Business editor.

The panel will focus on how entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators can gain access to varying levels of finance to transform their brilliant idea into a commercial enterprise or successful project.

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing said: "This event is the latest in the British Library's programme of inspiring entrepreneurial panel discussions, practical workshops and 1:1 advice sessions aimed at entrepreneurs. Our business users asked us to stage an event on securing finance and, as a result, we're delighted to present such a knowledgeable and wide-ranging selection of panellists for what promises to be a must-attend evening of advice and networking."

Mike Conroy, Senior Marketing Manager, HSBC Bank said: "Having the right financial help is crucial in the first stages of developing a business and last year HSBC helped over 94,000 new companies get started. We understand that every business is different and by taking the time to understand our customers and their businesses, HSBC can provide the right financial solutions, whatever their particular aspirations might be."

Chris Clothier, MMC Ventures, said: "Young, innovative companies are critical to the success of the UK economy, yet capital, advice and support for entrepreneurs are in short supply. MMC is delighted to support the British Library in this event that will help entrepreneurs understand what venture capital firms are looking for and how VCs can help them."

Colin Spiller, Marketing Manager, Strathdon Investments Plc, states: "Finance for any business is important, but in an early stage business is critical. The more preparation that can be done and the greater the understanding of what is required from the entrepreneur, the more likely they are to be successful while minimising the time they spend and therefore the time they have available to build their business."

David Sullivan, ACIB Financial Relationships Manager, Business Link for London, added, "Raising finance is often a vital stage in the setting up, expansion and day to day running of a business. Unless you are able to meet capital needs from personal resources, you will need to consider approaching sources of external finance. Business Link for London is extremely pleased to be associated with the British Library in addressing this often challenging issue."

If you are seeking the answers to the following questions then 'Desperately Seeking Finance' is a crucial event:

  • Where to find the sources that can provide access to finance to get your idea off the ground?
  • What preparation do you need to do before approaching a bank, business angel, venture capitalist or grant-providing organisation?
  • What are each of the major steps involved?
  • What were the most difficult obstacles to overcome and how do you confront them - such as getting access to finance, both private and public, finding suitable and affordable business premises, and finding the right kind of business support

'Desperately Seeking Finance' is the latest in a hugely successful series of sell-out events staged by the British Library's Business & IP Centre.

For further information and images please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)1937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk)

The Panel

Chris Clothier, MMC Ventures - is a graduate of New College, Oxford, where he read chemistry. He joined the strategy consulting firm Roland Berger in 2003 where he worked on a diverse range of projects advising Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms. He joined MMC in 2005. His principal role involves screening, selecting and executing investments.

David Sullivan, Business Link for London - is an experienced banker having worked for one of the UK's major banks for almost 30 years. During his time there he was responsible for looking after a variety of customers including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). David joined Business Link for London in 2003 and is presently a member of their London's Access to Finance Programme.

Mike Conroy, HSBC - Mike joined HSBC as an economics graduate over 20 years ago, and specialises in small and medium-sized businesses. Mike was UK National Small Business Manager and has advised government on small firms. Mike then joined HM Treasury as an adviser on the Euro but then returned to HSBC to co-establish HSBC's e-Commerce development team and develop online products/services for businesses including business internet banking. In his current role, he is responsible for customer and market analysis and planning for HSBC Business Banking.

Colin Spiller, Strathdon Investments Plc - has been heavily involved with a value investor in high growth technology businesses; primarily this has involved coaching, training, and developing staff, particularly in the companies they invest in, while promoting the name of the VC in their target markets. Colin also works with G4h, a sales and marketing execution agency that has developed a proprietary process for turning products and services into viable market propositions, which generate revenue streams. Colin is a general business consultant and manager with extensive sales, marketing, client relationship management and market launch experience in the software marketplace, particularly in Europe. He holds an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed the Charted Institute of Bankers exams in record time to become an ACIB. Colin has lectured extensively and run training courses on; effective selling skills, PR, business plans to attract funding, early stage funding, sales management and account management.

Moderator

Matthew Rock edited Real Business for seven years and is group editor, communications director and co-founder of Caspian Publishing.

Notes to Editors:

1. The British Library - is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently records almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month. Access to the British Library's Business & IP Centre is free. Users need a Reader's Pass, for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc

2. MMC Ventures is a venture capital firm which invests in early stage growth companies on behalf of a syndicate of private investors. Supported by a core group of highly qualified venture capital professionals, the syndicate comprises more than 70 successful business men and women who bring to portfolio companies, in addition to capital, the benefits of strategic advice, operational experience and high level introductions. Founded in 1999, MMC has made 13 investments, two of which have exited on AIM.

3. Strathdon - Venture capital for technology companies. Strathdon is a venture capital investor focusing on technology companies generally based in the UK. We invest in companies that operate within areas in which Strathdon's management have considerable operational experience, high-quality contacts and in which there are opportunities for significant growth. Our approach is one of active participation in investee companies - Strathdon's core executives have between them some 60 years of experience in the venture capital industry and have played active roles in more than 70 technology businesses, and are well placed to offer both support and contacts to investee companies. Our principal investment vehicle, Strathdon Investments Plc, is an "evergreen" fund allowing us to take a long-term view in order to help entrepreneurs build companies of significant and lasting value.

4. Business Link for London is the government funded small business support and advice service for London, providing free, impartial and comprehensive advice to businesses to help them start up and grow. Every year we help thousands of businesses in London by delivering practical and tailored business support services face-to-face, over the phone, at events and via the web. We can help you on every aspect of running a business from cash flow and IT to staff development and finding new customers.

5. HSBC Bank plc - HSBC Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, which is headquartered in the UK. The HSBC Group serves over 125 million customers worldwide from more than 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,502 billion at 31 December 2005, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.

6. 'Desperately Seeking Finance' is the latest in a hugely successful series of sell-out events staged by the British Library's Business & IP Centre. In May 2005, the Business & IP Centre was awarded a £1 million capital injection by the London Development Agency to help fund its transformation from a successful pilot project to a permanent national resource.