One of the UK’s most successful business people and panel member on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Jenny Campbell, will head to Sunderland this month to speak to fledging start-ups and growing businesses about securing investment.
Keynote at the region’s annual investor matching conference, FinanceCamp, Jenny Campbell will join Chris Reed from ProxiSmart, the North East business to receive an offer of investment from Jenny after appearing on the programme.
Jenny Campbell brings feisty northern grit to the Dragon’s Den, sticking true to her favourite business motto- live by corporate standards, but breathe like an entrepreneur.
Speaking about the opportunity to attend FinanceCamp, she said: “Entrepreneurship is the life blood of the UK economy, and that’s true not only for start-ups, but for established businesses looking to launch new products. I’m excited to have the chance to discuss the opportunities for innovative regional companies to secure investment. The journey can be challenging, but it’s most rewarding – as both an entrepreneur and investor – when you strike up a partnership that works and can really accelerate a business forward.”
After leaving school at 16 to begin her working life counting cash in a bank branch, Jenny climbed through the ranks to become one of the few senior female bankers at the time in the UK.
Following thirty years in the banking trade, Jenny left the corporate world in 2006 in pursuit of a new challenge – to turn around a failing cash machine business. Jenny launched a major operational restructure of Hanco ATM Systems (later relaunching as YourCash Europe Ltd), turning it from a business that was making a huge loss in competitive markets to a thriving, profitable entity operating across Europe.
Organised by the Innovation SuperNetwork, FinanceCamp provides a unique opportunity for the region’s most ambitious businesses, from start-ups to established companies, to meet with the people who can give them the money they need to grow.
It attracts a wide variety of regional and national investors, including venture fund managers, angel investors, banks, social investment funds and crowdfunding platforms.
Estelle Blanks, Executive Director at the Innovation SuperNetwork said: “Jenny has a wealth of expertise in seeing the potential for business growth and supporting companies to achieve their ambitions. The opportunity to bring both Jenny and Chris Reed together at FinanceCamp will allow us to help regional companies see first-hand not only the impact investment can have on a business, but how building relationships with potential investors can provide vital funds as well as expert advice and support.
“Our FinanceCamp programme, is all about providing the support businesses need to get ahead. We work closely with companies to ensure they’re pitch ready before matching them with the right type of investor. The opportunity to bring high profile speakers and case studies together as part of the day really enhances the experience for regional businesses and the outcomes they see.”
Preparing companies to maximise their chances of securing the funds they need, pre-event workshops are delivered in partnership with experts in a range of professional fields and focus on strengthening the businesses’ proposition, considering different finance options and understanding investor needs.
North East businesses of any size or sector can apply to be considered to take part – whether an entrepreneur looking for a £1,000 start-up loan or an established business searching for multimillion-pound equity funding.
FinanceCamp takes place on Wednesday 22 May 2019 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.
For more information visit supernetwork.org.uk/financecamp.
To apply to take part for free, register via Eventbrite.
FinanceCamp North East is part of the wider Innovation SuperNetwork programme, delivered with over 60 partner organisations to support innovation in the North East. SuperNetwork is supported by the North East LEP, Innovate UK, Northumbrian Water, Engie and the North East BIC, with part-funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
