Crowdfunding aggregator, BusinessAgent, is bringing together a group of senior industry experts in a workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs this May.

The experts will be sharing their experience of forming, financing and growing businesses at One London Wall, London, EC2Y 5EB on Thursday May 7.

Offering a full day of practical advice, one of the main topics under discussion at the ‘Discovery Day’ will be raising finance – including by crowdlending and crowdfunding.

Leading the team of speakers will be Stephen Hazell-Smith, one of the City of London’s foremost experts on smaller companies and a former chairman of AIM. He became Chairman of BusinessAgent in February 2015.

Mr Hazell-Smith said:

“The banks are simply not structured to provide this type of finance or to give their customers the appropriate advice.

“Crowdfunding presents the best opportunity that I have seen in my lifetime to democratise investment so that backing enterprise is no longer the preserve of a small number of institutions and individuals”.

He will be supported by entrepreneur Sacha Bright, the founder and chief executive of BusinessAgent, who started his business with £250,000 raised through the crowdfunding marketplace. He is currently engaged in a second round of fundraising to secure a further £1 million.

The third speaker will be business growth coach Erkan Ali.

Commenting on the purpose of the Discovery Day, Sacha Bright said:

“Crowdfunding, crowdlending and P2P platforms are all part of a new language in the world of finance. It is an exciting time for anyone thinking of starting their own business, but it is also a confusing time and fraught with danger for both borrowers and investors if you don’t know how to make your way through the maze.

“The purpose of The Discovery Day is to remove some of the fear and to help people with a good idea and the ambition to fulfil their dreams.

“We want to help them refine their product or service offering and show them how to set out their objectives clearly and concisely so that they can raise the money they need to get their project off the ground and to see it through to success.

“The tax incentives are there, the marketplace is there – you have just got to learn your way around. We hope to provide that guidance at the crucial early stage.

“By the end, the delegates will be investment ready and we’ll line them up for what you might call a ‘Dragons’ Den for Equity Crowdfunding’ in which they get to pitch to all the major platforms. Truly exciting stuff!”

Places are available at £49 per head and limited to 50 on a first come, first served basis. To book online visit: https://businessagent.com/discovery