More than 100 business people attend event in Liverpool focusing on early-stage finance for SMEs. Tony McDonough reports

Four organisations came together in Liverpool this week to stage an event focusing on early stage finance for SMEs.

BIPC Liverpool City Region, British Business Bank, GC Business Finance and LCR Finance Hub saw more than 100 business people attend the event held at the Racquet Club in the city centre.

On the Money was put together to provide Liverpool businesses trading three years or less with the opportunity to find out more about the British Bank’s Start Up Loans Programme as well as other forms of finance and support.

Sectors represented at the event included fashion, food, gaming and manufacturing alongside multiple local professional firms.

A panel of high-profile founders included Emma Jarvis of Dear Bump, Leo Winstanley of Hand-I Craft and former teacher/examiner Kevin Lancaster, founder of Tillymints.

They all shared their stories around fundraising for their businesses before being joined by Ashley Alletson of GC Finance, George Wright of LCR Finance Hub and Katie Nicholson of LCR Angel Network for a wider discussion.

Richard Bearman, managing director, small business lending, British Business Bank delivered a keynote address highlighting the benefits of finance packages that come alongside support and recognising Liverpool’s strong entrepreneurial culture.

Founder of iMeg partnership and executive editor at BusinessCloud and TechBlast, Chris Maguire, chaired the proceedings.

Geraldine Fuller of small business support body, BIPC Liverpool City Region, said: “BIPC Liverpool is seeing hundreds of fledgling businesses coming to us for help every month.

“The number one question we get asked is nearly always around finance. Joining forces with our partners in this way allowed us to offer people a way to get to grips with the fundraising process.

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“The room was full of people with all sorts of brilliant early-stage concepts, and we had so much positive discussion with plenty of questions asked. There are still many people with fantastic ideas who don’t know where to go for funding and advice.

Talks are already underway for an On the Money Part 2. Anyone interested in finding out more about BIPC events and services can email libraries.enquiries@liverpool.gov.uk