Support launched to help region's businesses understand finance

12/03/2010

Businesses across Yorkshire and Humber saw the launch of a groundbreaking programme aimed at providing them with the tools to access available finance and prosper long term, last night in Leeds.
 
The Yorkshire and Humber Understanding Finance for Business (UFFB) Programme, supported by Yorkshire Forward, will provide businesses in the region with the knowledge, advice, tools and resources to attract investment; such as individual investments from banks, business angels and venture capital finance. 

A key component of the Government’s policy to ensure high growth businesses receive support to make their companies more attractive to investors; the £3million programme will give companies the opportunity to work with industry experts who have a proven track record in helping companies to raise much needed investment.

Businesses will be able to access up to 5 free days of advice from a specialist team of advisors, provided by Connect Yorkshire, to enable eligible businesses to put together high quality business propositions to be pitched to potential investors.

Richard Doyle, Chair of Connect Yorkshire explains: “With a combination of workshops and seminars, free coaching and introductions to banks, venture capitalists and business angels this programme will help the SMEs in Yorkshire and Humber find the funding they need to grow and prosper”

The programme will be delivered through Connect Yorkshire and is expected to secure up to £40million of investment over the next three years for businesses in Yorkshire and Humber.

Simon Hill, Executive Director of Business for Yorkshire Forward comments: “The Understanding Finance for Business Programme will help to ensure that businesses across the region can access resources; to enable them to develop excellent business propositions and attract investors. Having this access to funding has never been more important and we are committed to creating these opportunities and supporting this process”.

Additional investment is being sought for the programme from the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme that is investing €583 million from Europe to support competitiveness and employment.

More information

For further information, to attend the event or to arrange an interview, please contact Leona Thompson, Senior Press Manager on 0113 3949589 or email Leona.thompson@yorkshire-forward.com

Yorkshire Forward

  • Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
  • Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objectives One and Two programmes and the 2007-2013 Regional Competitiveness and Employment Programmes.