New partnership formed to boost entrepreneurs across Yorkshire

A new partnership has been formed to provide commercial finance to entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow businesses across the Yorkshire region.

The Business Catalyst Club has agreed a deal with commercial finance brokers ABL Business to create Business Catalyst Finance.

The partnership will complement the equity and venture capital activities of the Business Catalyst Club by providing access to a wide range of funding options such as commercial property finance, business loans and venture capital.

The Business Catalyst Club said that its invitation-only quarterly lunches “create an effective platform for a select number of ventures seeking capital to showcase their proposals to members and guests.”

Proposals are considered from startups to more established trading businesses.

The new collaboration with Cleckheaton-based ABL Business follows the organisation’s first event held at Manahatta Greek Street, in Leeds.

Graham Shiers, Business Catalyst Club founder and director, said: “We had an overwhelming response to the launch – we have hit the ground running and are already helping to bring some imaginative opportunities to fruition.

“We now want to add even more value by broadening the way we help entrepreneurs to source funding for their projects alongside our role in facilitating the right commercial and professional introductions.

“As well as enabling opportunities through Venture Capital, Business Angels and other investors, we can now help people access commercial finance support from over 120 lenders available through our ABL Business partners”.

Andy Redman, joint managing director of ABL Business, added: “We were delighted to attend the first Business Catalyst Club lunch which brought together key players from across the region, representing a whole range of sectors. The event attracted entrepreneurs armed with an array of ambitious and imaginative business ideas.

“The event was truly inspirational. We were already impressed with what Graham is doing and had felt inspired to get involved on a much deeper level. By joining forces, we will be able to reach out to the Business Catalyst Club’s extensive network of contacts and we’re eager to play our part in turning some great projects into reality”.

The next Business Catalyst Club lunch will take place at a chosen venue in Leeds on Thursday, May 17th.

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