On the 29th November, Acceleration Through Innovation (ATI) ran its Funding Masterclass at the Eliot House Hotel in Liskeard. Over thirty businesses leaders braved the wind and rain of Storm Diana to attend this ever-popular event, which aims to educate and inform local businesses about the various funding avenues available to those located within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
In addition to a breakdown of the different funding opportunities, attendees were also given an insight into the importance of business planning and forecasting when going through the investment application process, whether that be from a grant provider, investor or bank.
Mike Cherry, who attended the event from Konnect Cornwall CIC, thought the Funding Masterclass was “really enjoyable and informative. A lot of information and (it) gave me a far better insight on what economic growth support is available in Cornwall”.
All of the speakers were unanimous in saying that lenders are looking for the following in your business plan: Character, Ability, Means, Purpose, Amount, Repayment and Interest – so whether you’re applying for funding in person or online “remember CAMPARI is key”, says John Hutchings, Fund Manager at ATI.
The ATI Funding Masterclass was a collaborative event bringing together a number of expert speakers from a wide range of projects offering business support, grants and funding in the county. One of the presenters on the day giving sound funding advice from the bank’s perspective was Julian Jenkins, Relationship Director at Santander, who explained: “We all have our parts to play in supporting businesses and helping them increase their productivity”.
Other guest speakers appearing on the Funding masterclass agenda included: John Whittaker, of Access to Finance, who helps businesses prepare robust business plans to support them through the funding application process; David Kirk from Bishop Fleming, who covered R&D Tax Credits; and Brent Treloar who represented the FSE Group and SWIG.
The ATI Funding Masterclass runs regularly each quarter and the next is planned for February 14th in Newquay at the ATI Pop-up Innovation Centre, based at Mor Workspace. For more information about ATI and our other events, visit aticornwallinnovation.co.uk or request to speak to an ATI Business Innovation Advisor by emailing ati@plymouth.ac.uk.