MoneyFest

* TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED VIA THE SOUTH MIDLANDS GROWTH HUB WEBSITE HERE: MoneyFest | Semlep* This page is only for promotional purposes.

Join us for MoneyFest 2025!

MoneyFest is a collaborative festival of all things funding and finance for SME’s in and around Milton Keynes

Now in it’s fourth year, we delighted to be hosted by the Open University at Kents Hill.

It includes a day of 30 min microtalks to inform and upskill; panel sessions, keynotes and signposting.

It also includes an informal exhibition area of providers in the money space; from grants to investment – a one stop shop for all things financially focussed.

Themes of the microtalks are as follows and will be no more than 30minutes starting at 10am and on each hour thereafter:

• Alternative Funding
• Start Up & Early Lending
• Equity & Angel Funding
• Innovation
• Grants

Session 1 - 10:00 - 10:30am, hosted by Debbie Lewis NatWest

Lesser known funding alternatives: In today's fast paced world, accessing funding through traditional routes isn't the only option. During this panel hear from the experts in Asset finance, Invoice finance, Crowdfunding, Brokerage and R&D Tax Credits

Panellists:

Phil Milton, Lombard

James Bowers, RBSi

Simon Deverell, Crowdfunder

Sanjay Majithia, Finance.House

Sam Wildman, MPA

Session 2 11:00 - 11:30am, hosted by Vicky Mears British Business Bank

Start Up / Early Lending: The British Business Bank brings expertise and capital to the smaller business finance markets. The Bank continues to deploy the vast majority of its finance outside of the largest UK banks. So, who are these other lenders – these alternative lenders? And how can they help your business to grow?

Panellists:

Tracey Kilty, Start Up Loans

Danielle Davis, First Enterprise

(Recipient Companies)

Session 3 12:00-12:30pm, hosted by Lewis Stringer British Business Bank

Equity / Angels: For newer or smaller businesses, accessing debt finance can be difficult. This is especially true if your business is pre-revenue, pre-profit, requires a lot of initial capital to develop a prototype, or doesn't possess a strong credit history. Fortunately, there are alternatives to debt finance for newer or smaller business. Angel or other equity investors are the largest source of investment in start-ups and early-stage businesses looking to grow in the UK. But who are they and how do you access this type of investor?

Panellists:

Central Arc Angels

Simon Emary, Growthdeck

Dr Sandy Reid, Mercia Ventures

(Recipient Companies)

Session 4 1:00 - 1:30pm, hosted by Kristian Mackie, MK:U

Panellists:

Graeme Beevor -InnovateUK Business Growth

(Recipient Companies)

Alex Lapis - Aeramine

Session 5 2:00 - 2:30pm, hosted by Ruth Roan South Midlands Growth Hub

Grant funding – the landscape across the South Midlands and how you can access support: The grant funding landscape can be a complex and confusing one to navigate alone trying to establish what’s out there and if your business is eligible. The team at The South Midlands Growth Hub make it their mission to take some of these barriers away, simplifying the process for you as a business owner. We will share some of the current grant programmes available across the South Midlands, some of the key eligibility criteria and some common routes to securing the match funding usually required. We will also have some real life examples of businesses that have been successful to showcase the process and how it’s not as complex as you may think!

Panellists:Ruth Roan, South Midlands Growth Hub

Kelly Griffiths, South Midlands Growth Hub

(Recipient Companies)

Disclaimer

All information used in this presentation you are registering for is produced for information purposes only and is for the sole use of the attendees at the presentation.

Whilst we feel this topic is beneficial to business owners, the views expressed are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as a recommendation by RBS, NatWest or any third party. You should seek independent advice in respect of issues that are of concern to you.

To the maximum extent permitted by law we expressly disclaim all representations, warranties, or assurance of any kind, expressed or implied, that are made to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this presentation and do not accept any obligation to update or correct any information contained herein.

During the event photographs may be taken on behalf of the host with a view to posting on social media to promote services offered to customers. If you do not wish to be included in the photographs please notify us.

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