Columnist

Social enterprises urged to book a pitch at FinanceCamp

Social enterprises in the North East are being urged to take advantage of specialist support aimed at helping uncover new ways to fund their trading activities.

Investment programme FinanceCamp North East has been developed by the team behind the region’s innovation conference Venturefest North East to make it easier for businesses of all sizes, sectors and structures to get hold of the money they need to grow and flourish.

Having identified the need to support social enterprises affected by the constantly changing funding landscape, the team has worked closely with the third sector to develop new ways to explore viable streams of finance and introduce the funders who can provide them.

Simon Green, Executive Director at Venturefest North East, said: “Social enterprises in the North East are struggling to survive with cuts in public funding yet rising demands for their services. FinanceCamp gives the chance to meet socially motivated investors and could provide a valuable route to investment, supporting the development of new commercial funding streams. We’d urge organisations to register their interest now to secure a place.”

FinanceCamp will provide guidance on funding streams that align to the company’s ethos, culture and objectives.

Social investment experts from Numbers for Good and Transmit Enterprise will work with social enterprises to increase their chances of securing the finance they need to grow and sustain their business by ensuring they have:

• A project that is viable and ready for investment
• Confidence in approaching investors
• Understanding of the various funding routes available
• A new network of contacts
• Inspiration from others who have taken similar paths

Once businesses have been through the process of exploring their options and perfecting their funding pitch, they will be introduced to a range of potential funders at an exciting event on 21st June at Ramside Hall, Durham.

Investors and lenders gathering at FinanceCamp will be able to provide anything from a £1,000 loan to multi-million pound deals and many will have a focus on investments that bring about positive outcomes for people, communities and society as a whole, as well as a financial return.

Those actively seeking new investment opportunities within the sector include,Charity Bank, The Co-operative Loan Fund, Co-operative and Community Finance, KeyFund, Nesta, Northstar Ventures and Transmit Enterprise, plus unnamed angel investors.

FinanceCamp is part of a wider programme being developed with around 50 partner organisations to support innovation in the North East. Led by the Venturefest North East team, the programme is supported by Innovate UK, the North East LEP and North East BIC, with part-funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Places on the FinanceCamp programme are limited. To apply visit FinanceCampNorth East

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East LEP .