Introducing Four Minute Finance

Welcome to Four Minute Finance – a new blog series that gets straight to the point on practical solutions and opportunities for your business’ finances. 

We’ll be tackling a range of specific issues, some directly relevant to you and your current situation, some that could be useful further down the line. 

Each blog will be delivered by one of our finance experts who can also provide fully funded phone support; helping you to understand, compare and access the right options. Last year, they helped South West businesses raise over £30m in funding and finance. 

You can also use our Finance Hub to explore various funding routes, weigh up the pros and cons, and access approved providers. 

But for now, here’s a snapshot of the problems we’ll be tackling in the series and what our finance team can help with: 

Looking to extend your interest free bounce back loan? We can show you how to re-set your interest free year with a new CBILS loan. 

Struggling to get a loan from a high street bank? We can talk you through the plethora of alternative finance options, some of which will be designed specifically for businesses like yours in your situation. 

Selling to other businesses? Talk to our Finance team about how to free up cash with invoice financing. 

Run an asset heavy business? Get better rates by leveraging your stock and equipment as a security. 

Interested in grant funding? We can advise on what your chances are and either help you write your bid or point you in another direction. 

Exporting overseas? Loosen the burden of those heavy upfront costs through Export Capital. We can show you the ropes. 

Innovate 2021: Finance Webinars 

Running in tandem with Four Minute Finance, we’ll be continuing our popular Innovate 2021 webinar series on overcoming challenges and building for growth. Our finance team will take to the microphone from the middle of February, delivering advice and guidance on: 

• Post-lockdown recovery & growth: finance options to stabilise cashflows, 23rd February 
• Wooing an angel: The do’s and don’ts of pitching to investors, 2nd March 
• Winning Innovate UK Smart Grants: Step by step, 9th March 

The Business West Finance Team 

Dr Ben Masheder, Access to Funding and Finance Manager

Ben leads a team of highly experienced grant funding, equity investment and debt finance specialists. The team supports hundreds of innovative businesses across the South West, helping them to secure funding, find solutions to challenging financial requirements, and grow their companies. In 2020, his team supported some of the most innovative companies in the region in raising over £30m in funding and finance.

Susie Williams, Funding and Finance Advisor

Susie provides advice to SMEs on suitable opportunities and their eligibility to access Horizon 2020 and Innovate UK funding. Susie has previously worked with SMEs, helping them to develop long term innovation projects that stimulate growth, competitiveness and employment. Susie has experience within the financial services sector focusing on business restructuring and has an LLB in law. 

Ed Tellwright, Access to Funding and Finance lead

Ed has spent his career working with private investors, business angels and venture capital firms, and has held roles at the South West Angel Investment Network (SWAIN), raising over £70m in investment for SW businesses.

In 2019 Ed helped raise over £1m in investment for businesses at Pitchfest – Innovate UK Edge’s flagship investment event.

Ruth Bethel, Innovation and Growth Specialist 

Ruth’s long career in finance has included work in domestic and international banking; personal investment; and commercial finance including insurance broking; asset finance and invoice and trade finance.