*Lending is subject to status. Usual credit approval processes will apply. Terms & Conditions apply and the Global Connections competition Terms & Conditions apply in addition and can be found at International networking and funding opportunities for innovative businesses

What is Global Connections?  HSBC Group-wide campaign which could secure a financial reward of £240,000 for the winner.  We launched this initiative to support innovation in UK businesses.  Unique opportunity for 30 finalists to meet and network with successful business leaders in either USA or UAE.

We invite your clients to enter if their business:  is based in the UK, has been trading for 2 years or longer and has an annual turnover of £2 million or more  can provide Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet information for a minimum trading period of 12 months  can provide projected financials for a minimum of 2 years  has a business plan and a clear strategy to execute it; and  how they could benefit from HSBC funding to help grow their business

How Global Connections works  Businesses from 5 UK regions will be able to submit an application detailing their business plans and funding requirements online at by closing date Friday 13 July 2012  The 6 most impressive businesses from each region will be invited on one of our two International Exchanges to the USA or UAE

How Global Connections works  After their return to the UK, all 30 regional finalists will be asked to pitch their case to a panel of judges drawn from HSBC and established business leaders in their region  The judges will select the 2 most impressive businesses from each region as regional winners, who could receive a financial reward of up to £120,000 – the equivalent of 2% of their borrowing up to a maximum of £6 million

Recognition from the world’s leading business minds  All 10 regional winners will then be asked to pitch again to a national panel of judges and will attend our UK National Final in London, Spring 2013, where the Global Connections overall winner will be announced and could see their financial reward increased to up to £240,000 – the equivalent of 4% of their borrowing up to a maximum of £6 million

At HSBC, we’ve already allocated £4 billion in lending to help UK companies trade internationally through our International SME Fund. further demonstrates our ongoing support of the very best in UK business ambition, through a unique combination of lending and access to our global network of expertise.

Raise your profile  Global Connections is run in conjunction with our media partner, The Telegraph Media Group who will provide…  Press coverage throughout the 13 month Global Connections campaign  Publicity for all finalists and winners in print and online

Share the experiences of UK businesses who have already benefited from HSBC’s global connections…

I appreciated the advice HSBC gave us and the introductions to Brazilian entrepreneurs. One may become an importer for our products as a result. Charles Morgan, Morgan Motor Co Ltd “ ”

This is absolutely fantastic. We have won many awards but this one carries huge prestige. Noel Patterson, R S Clare & Co Ltd “ ”

We're all absolutely thrilled. We knew the competition was intense and the more we learned about the competitors, the more we realised how fabulous some of these businesses are.” Richard Dixon, Now Group Limited “

HSBC invites you to make global connections

I’m here to answer any questions Nigel Kerr Senior Commercial Manager HSBC Bank plc East of Scotland Commercial Centre Hobart House, 80 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EL Direct Dial: Mobile: