Why do some firms grow faster than others? Also Successful businesses may sometimes find further growth hampered by a lack of funding. They may also be unaware of the full array of finance options available. SME access to finance schemes: measures to support small and medium-sized enterprise growth

1. Where can I
go to get
funding for
my business?

2. The current finance
situation
A mixed bag…
 40% of small firms have been refused credit by their
bank
 Lending levels are subdued by:
 Banks unwilling to lend
 Reduced lending demand, however…
 Only 4% of finance Directors cited external finance
as an influence on capital spending decisions
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

3. Where can I go for
finance?
Your
bank!
 Research suggests that many businesses
aren’t even approaching their bank and
just assuming they wont get credit
 Banks want to lend – that is their business
after all!
 If you do want to pursue a different route
for finance, many organisations will want
to know you’ve spoken to your bank first
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

4. Where can I go for
finance?
3rd
Party
Loans
 A number of loan providers operate
across the UK and can lend up to
£50,000 – Examples in the Midlands:
 Arrow Small Business finance
 Aston Reinvestment Trust
 Coventry and Warwick reinvestment trust
 Birmingham City Council
 The Prince’s Trust
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

5. Where can I go for
finance?
Equity
finance
 Investment in return for a stake in your
business
 Can often provide more than just finance
 Examples include:
 Midven – Midlands specialist venture capital
 Advantage business angels
 Mercia Technology Seed fund
 Creative advantage fund
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

6. Where can I go for
finance?
Grants
 Targeted at high growth or attractive growth
sectors for a region
 Looking to incentivise job creation, capital
expenditure or moving geographies
 Examples include:
 Business Development programme
 Grant for business Investment
 Innovation vouchers
 Innovation networks
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

7. Where can I go for
finance?
National Initiatives
 Enterprise finance guarantee – supporting bank
lending with government guarantees
 Capital for Enterprise fund – high growth businesses
 Enterprise Capital funds – large investment into
SMEs
 Aspire fund - women led businesses
 Bridges fund – Investing in business with positive
social impact
 Enterprise Ventures
 UK Innovation Investment fund
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

8. Summary
 If you want to grow your business,
then finance is available
 Ask your bank first – don’t assume
they wont lend
 Investigate grants
 Consider alternative loan sources
and equity finance
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk

9. Pathway Group
Promoting and encouraging
education and training and improving
and advancing employment
prospects for individuals and thereby
contributing to the success of small
and medium sized employers.
To learn more, visit…
www.pathwaygroup.co.uk
Looking at business issues in the West Midlands
www.pathway2grow.co.uk