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BGWM Investment Readiness

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BGWM Investment Readiness

The Access to Finance programme provides guidance and support activities to enable growth.

10/12/2025

At last month's Business Funding Summit, we caught up with Ryan Costello, founder of Exhale Nutrition, to hear his thoughts on the summit and the support he’s received.

Ryan shared how valuable the day was for connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs, seeing what other businesses are building, and picking up insights on investment, funding, and strategy.

He also highlighted ongoing support he's receiving, from events, to direct guidance from his case manager; helping Exhale Nutrition stay on track as they grow.

His advice for other founders?

Take the support. Building a business can feel lonely, but having a team, a network, and people who can give you that extra lift makes all the difference.

Huge thanks to Ryan for sharing his journey and for being part of the summit.

04/12/2025

A massive thank you to everyone who attended our annual Business Funding Summit the other week!

Relive the highlights from our time at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 25 November 2025, the summit brought together ambitious SMEs, investors, funders, and growth partners from across the region.

Remember you can see the gallery of the event here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0q9xLz0

28/11/2025

The Business Funding Summit 2025 Photo Gallery is now live! 📸

Relive the energy, connections, and standout moments from an incredible day with founders, investors, partners, and speakers from across the West Midlands.

From the buzzing SME Marketplace to our brilliant panel sessions, we’ve captured it all.

Dive into the full gallery and spot your highlights from the summit! ⬇️

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0q2fB60

24/11/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Martin Ward, former West Midlands Tech Commissioner, as our keynote speaker for BFS 2025.

Martin will be sharing his perspective on what a truly world-class, investment-ready ecosystem looks like, and how its key stakeholders behave, collaborate and contribute to creating exceptional regional prosperity.

He’ll also offer a candid assessment of where the West Midlands currently stands and what it will take to elevate the region to the next level.

With over 35 years of experience in the software and services sector, Martin brings deep expertise shaped by an executive career across sales, marketing and enterprise consulting, alongside his own journey as a 2x exited tech co-founder.

Now an active angel investor through Silicon Square Consulting, he works closely with early-stage ventures to accelerate growth, sharpen commercial strategy and build conscious, scalable leadership.

We are now sold out, so you’ve missed your chance to sign up. However, if you’re looking for support for your business, we’re always happy to hear from you!

Find out more about the programme and connect with the Investment Readiness team 👇

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pWbx_0

21/11/2025

We’re delighted to welcome Bridie Rowbotham, Co-Founder and CEO of Selene Clinical Research, as a guest on our "Founder Focus - West Midlands Growth Stories" panel.

Bridie brings more than 23 years of leadership in healthcare and clinical research, with deep experience spanning women’s health, paediatrics, mental health, vaccines and stroke research.

Known for her strategic thinking, operational excellence and ability to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions, she has led growth, innovation and high-impact research across some of the sector’s most regulated environments.

Bridie previously received support through the Investment Readiness programme, and she’ll be sharing her own founder journey... The lessons learned, the barriers faced and how the right support at the right time helped accelerate her vision. This is a rare chance to hear directly from a leader shaping the future of clinical research in the UK.

Sign up for the BFS below

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pPfY20

20/11/2025

We’re excited to share that Matt Guest, co-founder of Composty, will be joining our “West Midlands Growth Stories” panel at the Business Funding Summit 2025!

Composty is a brilliant example of a purpose-driven West Midlands business scaling with the right support behind it.

Through the BGWM Investment Readiness Programme, Matt & Composty received tailored one-to-one guidance to strengthen their financial strategy, explore funding options, and build the confidence needed to take their sustainable products to a wider market.

With hands-on advice from our specialists and the connections built across the Founders’ Collective, Composty has continued to grow sustainably while staying true to their mission: reducing plastic waste through innovative, compostable household products.

At the summit, Matt will share Composty’s journey, from early challenges to key milestones and offer practical insight into what growth looks like for a modern, impact-led SME in the West Midlands.

We’re looking forward to hearing his story and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Sign up for our flagship event now!

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pNqN30

18/11/2025

Jack Francis Kelly is a Business Finance Specialist at Oxford Innovation Advice, supporting founders through the Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness Programme and the Black Country Founders Collective Accelerator.

With experience across investment, start-up operations and international business development, he brings a strong understanding of what founders need to scale.

On the day, Jack will be hosting the "Founder Focus - West Midlands Growth Stories Panel", guiding an open and practical discussion with Martha Z, Matt Guest and Layla Jasper.

His role will be to draw out real-world lessons from each founder, highlighting the challenges they faced, the decisions that shaped their journeys and the support that enabled their growth.

Secure your place today and hear firsthand how West Midlands founders are turning ambition into growth!

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pLtMV0

14/11/2025

If you’re building a business in the West Midlands, the Business Funding Summit is the place to be! Spend a day learning from leaders, meeting 40+ local SMEs on the same path, and getting face time with banks, alternative finance providers and investors, so you leave with fresh ideas, new contacts, and clear routes to capital.

We’re turning the spotlight on three big parts of the event 👇

🎤 The Panels
West Midlands growth stories — Local success stories, lessons and what it took to get there.
Funding the future of West Midlands growth — A discussion on how to support regional growth.
Scaling with investment — A dive into what investors look for, and how to be ready.

🧭 The SME Marketplace
Meet 40+ West Midlands SMEs who’ve been through the programme. Network, hear how the support helped them grow, and, if they’ve got products, buy on the day.

🏦 The Expo Zone
Banks, alternative finance providers and investors under one roof. Compare options, ask candid questions, and discover routes to funding you might be missing.

We’ll share speaker drops, exhibitors and must-see moments in the run-up so stay tuned!

Don't miss out and nook your ticket →https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pF5D60

03/11/2025

Strengthen retention, loyalty and long-term profitability by aligning your financial planning with effective customer experience strategies.

Join us online for a focused session exploring how smart investment in systems, service improvements and marketing can create lasting value and support business growth.

Throughout this interactive webinar, Helen Fortune will guide you through practical ways to connect financial decisions with customer-focused outcomes, ensuring your business is set up to retain and delight its customers at every stage.

📅 Tuesday 16 December 2025, 10:00am to 12:00pm
💻 Online event

This free session is open to pre-start, start-up and established businesses.

Register here 👇

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0phRbC0

27/10/2025

Ready to take your business finance to the next level?

Join us for our Business Planning & Financial Forecasting two-day workshop at the NatWest Accelerator in Birmingham on 18 & 19 November 2025.

Whether you’re a startup or an established SME, this fully funded workshop will help you ⬇️

✔️ Understand your pricing and profit model
✔️ Build confident financial forecasts
✔️ Navigate the debt and grant funding landscape
✔️ Create a strong business plan for finance applications

Delivered by our experienced team, you’ll walk away prepared to secure the right funding for your growth.

📍 NatWest Accelerator Birmingham
📅 18–19 November 2025

Spaces are limited. Secure your place today 👇

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0p78x80

23/10/2025

If you want to understand the current funding landscape and how to access the right finance for your business, join our free online session: Navigating SME Finance in the West Midlands

Hear directly from Helen Fortune, Business Finance Specialist for the Investment Readiness Programme at Oxford Innovation Advice, delivered on behalf of Business Growth West Midlands.

What you’ll learn ⬇️

✔️ The current financial landscape and economic outlook for West Midlands SMEs
✔️ Grants, loans, alternative debt and equity finance available right now
✔️ What funders are really looking for
✔️ How to overcome common barriers to accessing finance
✔️ Free support and resources to help you get investment-ready

📅 Friday, 7 November, 10:00am – 12:00pm
📍 Online

This is a perfect opportunity for SME business owners and directors across the Black Country, Birmingham, and Solihull who want to strengthen their funding strategy or raise external finance. 👇

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0p3v390

22/10/2025

The flagship event of the Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness Programme is back!

We’re bringing together the region’s most ambitious businesses, investors, and decision makers for a one-day event designed to accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities.

This is your chance to ⬇️

✔️ Explore the SME Marketplace featuring almost 100 West Midlands businesses
✔️ Hear from angel investors, VCs, and fund managers on what they’re looking for
✔️ Learn from local founders who’ve successfully scaled
✔️ Build partnerships that power your next stage of growth

Whether you’re a start-up, scaling business, or established SME, the Business Funding Summit 2025 is designed to help you unlock new opportunities and drive success.

📅 Tuesday 25 November 2025, 9:30am - 16:00pm
📍 Eastside Rooms, Birmingham

Free to attend, spaces are limited! 👇

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0p2f6r0

Address

Oxford Innovation Advice, Pera Business Park
Melton Mowbray
LE130PB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5:15pm

Website

https://www.a2f.co.uk/

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