Businesses invited to ‘Meet the Money’ as finance giants descend on North East
NatWest, Santander and Barclays are just three of the major finance and funding providers set to descend on the North East next week as the national FUEL business roadshow kicks off in Newcastle.
Bringing banks, Government officials, angel investors and business support organisations together under one roof, the FUEL roadshow aims to provide the UK’s businesses with a unique opportunity to speak face-to-face with those who can provide the funding required to help them innovate and grow.
The launch event will take place at Gosforth’s Grand Hotel on Tuesday 17 March, with workshops providing clarity on the types of funding available, how to craft a successful funding bid and the legal considerations of applying for and securing funding.
Attendees will also be offered pre-matched, one-to-one meetings with senior representatives from high street banks and alternative lenders, angel investors, private investment firms and grant providers. More than 250 ‘Meet the Money’ appointments are due to be scheduled and with limited spaces remaining, interested businesses are being urged to book now to avoid missing out.
Nicki Clark OBE, Chief Executive at UMi said: “The FUEL roadshow presents a unique opportunity for the region’s businesses to meet face-to-face with senior people from multiple funding providers and support organisations under one roof, all in one day.
“Together with our partners, we’re bringing together some of the biggest names in banking and finance, giving the region’s businesses a unique opportunity to meet directly with organisations and funders who are actively looking to support businesses just like theirs and provide them with the support and funding required to unlock their potential.
“It should be a fantastic event, and we’d urge any business interested in attending to sign up and secure their place before it’s too late. It could be just the opportunity they’ve been waiting for.”
The national FUEL roadshow is being backed by major partners including NatWest, Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance, CO4CH, CBI and British Business Bank, alongside regional partners FW Capital.
Among the funding providers and specialists taking part in the ‘Meet the Money’ meetings are NatWest, Barclays, Santander, Allica Bank, Creative UK, Maven, Mercia Ventures, Business Enterprise Fund and FW Capital.
Heidi Simpson, Regional Accelerator Director Scotland and North of England at NatWest, said: "NatWest is committed to backing the innovators and recently announced plans to grow our Accelerator community to 50,000 members across the UK in 2026.
The North of England is a thriving hub for innovation and we’re delighted to play a part in the FUEL, the business finance and funding roadshow, bringing our expertise across the bank to support ambitious founders from across the North today, and in the future as they grow their businesses.”
The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade has also thrown its support behind FUEL, highlighting the importance of such events in improving access to finance to unlock economic growth.
For more information on FUEL or to secure your tickets and Meet the Money appointments, visit: www.fuelroadshow.co.uk.