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

2. 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.

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

4. Myth?

5. Or Reality?

6. 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

7. 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

8. Access to finance 1.Get investment ready – Use coaching / mentoring / training / advice – GrowthAccelerator... MentorSME... _connect Investment Network... www.gov.uk/business-finance- 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

9. _connect Investment Network

10. 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.

11. www.gov.uk Nigel Walker Access to Finance Innovate UK nigel.walker@innovateuk.gov.uk @NigelWalker7 07824 418360 nigel.walker@innovateuk.gov.uk