Entrepreneurs to receive advice on getting funding

Access to Finance & Growth is at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Organised by Entrepreneurs Unite, a non-profit organisation set up to tailor advice to those who attend its sessions, it promises to be one of the largest events of its kind on the south coast.

Organiser Shena Mitchell said: ‘Many businesses cannot get access to finance and most business haven’t even considered finding investors or getting crowdfunding.

‘We want to raise awareness to companies about the options that are available to them and what is the best path for them to take.’

The event includes a variety of workshops and speakers, including Jenny Tooth OBE, CEO of UK Business Angels, Will King, millionaire and founder of King of Shaves, and crowdfunding expert Mark Royston.

Dr Mitchell said: ‘Most of our speakers are people who went from zero to hero in a very short space of time.

‘We want to show the entrepreneurs in attendance that it is possible to achieve something truly amazing.’

A free event open to all start-up businesses, Access to Finance & Growth will allow entrepreneurs to rub shoulders with people who could be of great benefit to them.

This is something Dr Mitchell is proud of, as it helps to achieve the end goal that she strives for in her work.

She explained: ‘We want the world of investment to be open and transparent for these start-up businesses – it can be rather complicated when you’re starting out.

‘I have been helping out companies for the past 20 years, and many of them seem unsure about precisely where they will get their funding from.

‘By setting up Entrepreneurs Unite, I was able to channel that with a group of like-minded individuals.

‘I want to remove the barriers to entry for start-up businesses.

‘That’s the goal.’

The event will promote other companies that may be able to offer advice to the businesses in attendance.

Dr Mitchell said: ‘We’re not afraid to promote other companies so that the businesses we work with are able to advance further – it’s all part of the service that we gladly provide for them.’

The event runs from 10am until 4pm, with networking after. For more go to eventbrite.co.uk/e/access-to-finance-and-growth-tickets-21045540779