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VentureFest Tees Valley announces conference strand to demystify access to funding for innovative regional businesses

Simon Green, CEO Edhe Innovation Ltd

VentureFest Tees Valley is bringing together funding experts to demystify the jargon, complex networks and barriers stopping innovative Teesside businesses accessing the finance they need to grow.

The one-day conference will feature FinanceCamp as part of the programme to connect businesses seeking funding with investors and lenders in addition to a specially curated keynote and panel to shed light on the access to finance journey.

Simon Green, CEO at ed/ge Innovation Ltd which delivers VentureFest Tees Valley said: “VentureFest is about bringing businesses together with the tools and expertise they need to strengthen or introduce innovative practice. Funding innovation can be a huge challenge, not least because there are so many options available. A key strand of the conference in 2019 will focus on cutting through the noise and bringing to the fore the information businesses need to explore the options available to them.”

The line-up includes Investment Director at QVentures, Toby Fenwicke-Clennell, who will take to the stage as a keynote speaker.


Toby, who has a background in Corporate Finance specialising in early stage investing, has managed more than 100 deals from sourcing through to execution. He’ll be sharing his experience of helping businesses raise up to £5m in investment, and overcome obstacles along the way.

Commenting on the chance to speak at VentureFest, he said: “At QVentures we work with hundreds of companies to raise finance. It can often be a complex process, so I’m pleased to have this chance to talk to Teesside businesses at VentureFest about the work we do to help growing businesses secure the funding they need. Whether SEIS eligible or looking to secure larger sums of money, with the right partnerships the process can not only strengthen a company financially but can also help to strengthen their business strategies.”

VentureFest Tees Valley, which takes place on Wednesday 25th September at Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, will also host a funding panel bringing experts from across the innovation and funding landscape together to discuss how businesses can maximise their chance of securing the right type of funding for them.

The panel will include, Charlotte Thompson, Knowledge Transfer Manager Access to Funding & Finance at the Knowledge Transfer Network; Lee Viney, Regional Manager – Yorkshire & Humber and the North East at Innovate UK; and Omar Al-Janabi, Innovation Manager at Teesside University.

Joining the panel will be Jarek Rosinski, CEO at Transmission Dynamics, which has successfully bid for five Innovate UK grants totalling over £2m, helping them grow the business into a profitable enterprise turning over £2.65m annually.

Simon Green, added: “Additionally, we’re bringing FinanceCamp back to VentureFest to give those companies actively seeking funding the chance to meet with investors, lenders and grant providers directly. We look carefully at each business who registers to match them with the investors most suited to the type of finance they’re seeking, maximising their chances of securing funding. I’d urge any business or entrepreneur looking to grow their operation, launch a new product or expand to attend VentureFest Tees Valley and register for FinanceCamp.”

Businesses of any size or sector can apply to take part – whether they’re an entrepreneur looking for a £1,000 start-up loan or an established business searching for millions of pounds for growth. FinanceCamp is made up of a series of ten-minute one-to-one meetings for businesses at all stages of growth. There will be a spectrum of active investors from outside the Tees Valley area attending, as well as those from within the region alongside lenders and grant providers.

Working with funding experts and as part of the FinanceCamp investor readiness programme, businesses will also be offered a range of support designed to provide investor insight and help with preparing and perfecting their business pitch ahead of the main event.

VentureFest Tees Valley is delivered by ed/ge Innovation Limited with support from Teesside University.