£6m+ funding pipeline generated as FUEL powers up Yorkshire businesses
A national business funding roadshow helping ambitious businesses connect with investors, lenders and advisers has helped generate a £6.1 million funding pipeline.
FUEL: Yorkshire, held in Rotherham and delivered by national business support and funding specialist UMi, brought together entrepreneurs, funders and business support organisations for a day of one-to-one meetings, expert advice and practical workshops focused on securing investment and accelerating growth.
The scale of the funding pipeline created by the event, held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, demonstrates the growing impact of the national initiative designed to improve access to finance.
Following the success of the inaugural event in Newcastle, the second stop on UMi's national FUEL Roadshow was held in Rotherham, rather than a larger commercial centre, to explore how quality funding support could reach businesses in areas that traditionally receive fewer large business events.
The roadshow underpins UMi’s continuous commitment to helping the nation’s businesses do more and go further and is also being backed by major partners including NatWest, Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance, CO4CH, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Small Business Commissioner, CBI and British Business Bank, as well as regional partners the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The event was an undoubted success, delivering more than 150 “Meet the Money” appointments, creating a funding pipeline worth £6.1m and generating overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.
Around 75% of delegates left with clear, actionable next steps to help grow their business, while 78% said they intended to pursue finance as a direct result of FUEL. Almost nine in ten reported an increased understanding of funding options and greater confidence in accessing finance following the event.
The conference programme included sessions on investment readiness, pitching to investors and financial preparation.
Nicki Clark OBE, Chief Executive of UMi, said: “It is vital that frameworks exist to help our businesses grow and realise their potential, but it’s equally essential that these firms know how to access the support available to them.
“FUEL was created to make accessing finance simple for ambitious businesses, and the Yorkshire event demonstrates that quality conversations matter just as much as the number of people through the door.
"Creating a £6.1m funding pipeline and seeing delegates leave with greater confidence, practical next steps and having secured meaningful connections shows the real value the roadshow delivers.
Paul Johnson, Strategic Lead - Investment Zone, Growth and Sector Development for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority said: “South Yorkshire has many ambitious business owners who are looking to grow. Access to the right finance, at the right time, is crucial to unlocking that growth. It has been great to see those initial conversations at the roadshow have led to a significant funding pipeline”.
Small Business Minister Lord Leong said: “One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses in Yorkshire is securing the right finance at the right time to invest, expand and create the good jobs local people deserve.
“That is why we are proud to support roadshows such as FUEL, which bring practical advice, specialist expertise and potential funding partners directly to founder-led and owner-managed businesses. By helping entrepreneurs understand their options, become investment-ready and access finance suited to their ambitions, FUEL helps turn growth plans into reality.
“Alongside this, we are working with the British Business Bank to increase the supply of finance across every region and nation of the UK. Our message to ambitious business owners is clear: wherever you are based and whatever your background, we want to help you overcome the barriers to growth, fulfil your potential and build the successful businesses and good jobs of the future”.
The event highlighted strong demand for tailored funding support, with more than half of delegates seeking equity investment and a further third exploring a combination of finance options. Most businesses were looking to secure between £25,000 and £500,000 to support future growth.
Since 2007, County Durham-headquartered UMi has helped thousands of businesses across the UK do more and go further by unlocking more than £1billion of investment through grants, loans, equity finance and business support.
Future FUEL events will continue to support businesses at every stage of their journey, from start-ups seeking their first investment to established companies looking to innovate, scale and expand into new markets.
Future FUEL roadshows will be taking place throughout the UK at the following locations:
- Edinburgh – Thursday 24 September – Murrayfield Stadium
- London – December – Excel
- Birmingham – TBC
- Manchester – TBC
- Cardiff - TBC
Business owners interested in attending any of the events above can book tickets, or register interest in future events, via the website: www.fuelroadshow.co.uk