All of South West Screen’s projects and activities have now been fully transferred into Creative England, the new agency providing creative industries support in the English regions outside London.
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“You only get one shot at securing an investor, so your pitch has to be perfect first time.”
Investment Readiness is a programme designed to help creative leaders secure investment for their business.
Today’s market provides a tough environment for any entrepreneur seeking to secure money, whether through the banks, angels, funds or investors. Whilst there is money available, securing it, at the right level and under the right conditions, remains a challenge.
Investment Readiness will help participating business leaders develop an investment proposition which is more likely to generate investor interest. It will show how to question the value of an idea, develop that idea in the context of investor interest, with a chance to pitch the proposition to a panel of investors, who are interested in creative investments.
The workshops will be run by investment experts Pembridge Partners, a unique consultancy of experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
Securing investment at the right time in your business growth is important, so the application process is designed to assess the suitability of each application and the business proposition.
Apply now by visiting: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WMW6F3F
Before applying please read the eligibility conditions, which are set out in the FAQ below.
Investment Readiness eligibility FAQ
What’s the aim?
Our aim is to help businesses secure investment which allows them to grow. We are especially interested in business leaders looking to lead their companies through the development or commercialisation of a new product or service which will fit the consumer/customer demands of the next year or two.
Who is it for?
It’s for leaders of small to medium sized enterprises (SME) from any creative sector in the South West, excluding Cornwall.
What is an SME?
The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro.
Is there a minimum size of company?
A company must be incorporated and registered with Companies House. It must employ at least one person. Ideally it will be VAT registered, although this is not essential.
What will I get?
You’ll receive:
You will also have the option to receive an optional, free advice session with an expert from our creative industries legal partner Thrings and/or our accountants Baker Tilly.
The workshops will be facilitated by investment specialists including investors, entrepreneurs, legal experts and accounting experts. You will also join a small network of like-minded businesses which can provide ongoing support beyond the timeframe of the project.
When does it run?
Provisional dates are:
Where does it take place?
The workshops will take place in central Bristol.
Who are the investors?
They will be experienced business investors who understand, are actively interested in and engage with creative industries. Participants on the programme will be fully briefed before they are introduced.
Will the investors automatically invest in my business?
No, the aim of the programme is to support business leaders in preparing their companies for growth and investment. As a result, if you wish to pursue an investment deal with one of the investors we will help you to plan your next steps and signpost services that can be of further help along the way. You may find that upon completing the programme you want to delay looking for investment while you do more preparation in your company – in which case, we’ll again help you to make an action plan and you will have made a good network of contacts to pick it up again if and when you’re ready.
How much will it cost?
Ordinarily to obtain this level of in depth support would cost £4500. However we’ve been able to secure significant support from the Creative industries iNet and LMAS. As such the total cost of participation will be only £450 per business.
This charge is based on an assumption that participating companies will receive a 50% grant from the Leadership & Management Advisory Service (LMAS). The cost price is £900; however LMAS will repay £450 – leaving each business paying a total of £450.
To be eligible for the LMAS subsidy, a company must employ at least one full time employee in addition to you. (If you do not meet the LMAS condition, but fit the other conditions, you are still eligible to apply. We will address this situation with you directly.)
In the event that participants secure investment as a result of the programme, South West Screen will require a reasonable payment to be made by the recipient to it. This payment will be reinvested to support future investment programmes. The level of this payment will be negotiated and agreed to an appropriate level with each participant before the programme begins.
"Small businesses are the unsung heroes and driving force of the UK economy. We need these businesses to thrive, but often they find themselves under the stranglehold of interest rates, borrowing fees, an arduous process or a closed door when seeking financial support. We need innovative approaches that eliminate these barriers and help companies to grow. Bespoke programmes like this are highly valuable in helping those companies to learn the pitfalls, package their business and meet the right investors."
Andrew Mullinger, Co-founder & COO of Funding Circle, an online platform where small businesses can gain funds efficiently at a competitive interest rate
"You only get one shot at securing an investor, so your pitch has to be perfect first time. The investment readiness programme uses a very successful model to help companies develop their business plans ideas and articulate the key messages which will grab an investor's interest straight away."
Kip Meek, Chair of South West Screen and former Chairman YouView
This programme is supported by the Creative Industries iNet, part of Solutions for Business, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and led by South West Screen.
You can network with over 5,000 members of the creative media industries through our cluster groups
We can help your business attend major industry events from Barcelona to Singapore
Previous recipients of our Lottery funding have won Baftas and sold their films to major US broadcasters
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South West Screen | St Bartholomews Court
Lewins Mead | Bristol | BS1 5BT
(t) 0117 952 9977 (f) 0117 952 9988
(e) info@swscreen.co.uk
