Nigel Walker Access to Finance Access to Finance The Finance Escalator – Myth or Reality?

Stimulating business-led innovation to drive economic growth Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board - the UK’s innovation agency. We know that taking a new idea to market is a challenge. We fund, support and connect innovative businesses through a unique mix of people and programmes to accelerate sustainable economic growth.

“Innovation Ladder” “Finance Escalator” “Funding Gap” “Valley of Death”

Myth?

Or Reality?

Sources of finance Equity Angels (& the crowd) – approx £100k to £1m Venture Capital – approx £1m to £10m Public Markets – AIM, High Growth Segment - £3m and upwards Investment in the business... High expectation of return on exit

Sources of finance Equity Pre-revenue? Growth prospects? Exit strategy? Management team... Value proposition... Scaleable... Defensible position in high-growth markets Share in the business in exchange for risk capital Active involvement Need high return (at least 10x) when business sold

Access to finance 1.Get investment ready – Use coaching / mentoring / training / advice – GrowthAccelerator... MentorSME... _connect Investment Network... support-finder 2.Approach the right source of finance – Do your research / Align your interests – Better Business Finance... UKBAA... BVCA... UKCFA 3.Make the most of opportunities – TSB-supported companies offer attractive validated, de-risked opportunities for private sector funders

_connect Investment Network

From Concept to Commercialisation It’s not a linear journey... People want money... But they need more The hard stuff is the easy stuff... It’s the soft stuff that’s the hard stuff.

Nigel Walker Access to Finance Innovate