New Initiative is a Major Boost for County’s Entrepreneurs

Business Angels, a coalition of bankers, lawyers, accountants and other business service providers, met to discuss the direction of the finance programme run by county council-backed venture, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP).

The idea of a Business Angels network is a response to the lack of finance available to start-ups and growing businesses. The initiative aims to boost prosperity in the county, by helping existing businesses to develop, supporting entrepreneurship and start-ups, and creating jobs for local people.

Sajeeda Rose, NEP's director of economic development, commented: “The challenges faced by businesses are numerous in today's economic climate. Improving access to finance opportunities is vital for the creation of new businesses in the county. At NEP we are keen to develop initiatives that support those businesses and contribute to the wider prosperity agenda for the county.”

NEP board member James Saunders Watson, who is also owner of Rockingham Castle Estate, and head of investment trust marketing at JP Morgan Asset Management, welcomed delegates to the forum.

“Access to finance remains a key concern for new and established businesses. At NEP, we are looking at new ways we can help remove some of the barriers to finance and develop new opportunities for investment. One of those options is the stimulation of an Angel Investment network for the county. In the early stages, we are keen to engage with business on its development”, he said.

Mr Staveley, of Growth Investment Network East Midlands, presented a discussion on stimulating growth investment through the Angel Investment Network, which was followed by a session on providing support for businesses looking for investment, led by Paul Jenkinson, of Connect Midlands.

James Saunders Watson added: “Business Angels is an important element of the Enterprising Northamptonshire strategy. We're launching the Angel Network to support start-ups and develop businesses in the county, offering practical advice to help them become 'investment ready’.”

The forum was then opened for discussion, before Connect Midlands held a ‘Right Funds for You’ seminar, in collaboration with NEP, which provided advice for businesses looking for investment.

If you run a business in Northamptonshire and would like to find out more about Business Angels, please visit www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/