If you’re a business owner on a journey to grow, a tech start-up looking for investment or you’re looking to buy or sell a business, then a new half-day conference will give you the tools you need to help you plan, pitch and find the right investment fit for your business.
As businesses look to bounce back from the pandemic, The Development Bank of Wales is committed to unlocking potential in the economy of Wales by increasing the provision of sustainable, effective finance in the market.
To do that, we’re looking to break down barriers to equity, making it more accessible, educating businesses about its benefits, showing the impact of the funding and dispelling any myths surrounding it.
In partnership with Business Wales and British Business Bank, the Development Bank is holding an industry-leading live-streamed event this November.
Expanding Horizons with Equity LIVE is taking place at Cardiff City Stadium, the event will be streamed live and businesses can register for free to watch the event online from the comfort of their own home or office.
The event will kick off with an opening address from Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething and is being hosted by Welsh journalist, broadcaster, writer and former BBC Wales Today presenter Jamie Owen.
There will be spotlight speakers, panel discussions, top tips and opportunities to network for delegates.
Over the course of the half-day event, it will cover areas such as fundraising, business succession, finding the right investor fit and the impact NEDs can have on your Board, as well as hearing from well-known entrepreneurs such as Piers Linney and inspiring individuals like Lowri Morgan.
Piers Linney is an entrepreneur and TV personality who has appeared as an investor on the BBC show Dragons’ Den and the Channel 4 series The Secret Millionaire.
He has a professional background in law, investment banking and fund management. On Dragons’ Den, he invested in the personalised children’s book publisher Wonderbly, which was the fastest-growing company in Tech Track 2017.
Lowri Morgan is a BAFTA award-winning broadcaster and knows better than anyone the attitude and application needed to exceed goals and drive success. She will talk about her experiences in broadcast and achievements as a world-class extreme endurance athlete and intrepid adventurer.
Other speakers will include Frank Holmes (Founder-partner of Gambit Corporate Finance), Jenny Tooth OBE (UK Business Angels Association CEO), Sherry Coutu CBE (serial entrepreneur and angel investor) and Rodney Appiah (former investment banker, NED and VC investor).
Welsh businesses owners will also be joining us to share their real-life experience of equity and how it has helped shaped their business’ growth - including CEO of Health & Her, Kate Bache, and Steve Lanigan CEO of ALS People.
Who is the event for?
The event has been created to help business owners on a journey to grow their company, tech start-ups looking for investment for their business, and those who are looking to buy or sell a business. It aims to help delegates find the investment option that is right for their business.
Benefits of equity
Equity isn’t just for tech start-ups, it can be used to accelerate the growth of established businesses and support business succession. It can also be used alongside debt to provide bespoke financial packages.
Equity is a common way for businesses to get the money they need, but it’s important businesses understand how it works and if it’s a suitable funding option.
Every business is different, so what works for one might not necessarily work for another. Equity finance has many advantages as it helps businesses to grow more quickly, enabling them to gain a better competitive advantage.
Why now?
With businesses trying to bounce back after the impact of the pandemic and a changing business
environment offering up many new avenues for growth, equity funding is becoming an increasingly important solution for Welsh businesses in 2021.
At the Development Bank we feel it’s important for businesses to understand the benefits of equity investment and how it can drive and accelerate growth.
The event will take place on November 4, 2021 from 9am to 1.15pm. To book your space visit the website www.equity.wales
