OxLEP introduces new investment readiness programme supporting Oxfordshire businesses’ growth ambitions

A new series of workshops – aimed at improving Oxfordshire businesses and their preparations and understanding around securing future investment – has been launched by OxLEP.

OxLEP Business hopes to encourage more businesses in the county with a desire to in particular scale-up seek out new markets or gain investment for a new product to sign-up to its new ‘OxLEP Investment Readiness Club’ programme and ultimately support organisations’ growth ambitions.

The programme comprises of a number of workshops and one-to-one support opportunities all aimed at providing participants with the confidence and a greater level of knowledge that will support them on their respective investment journeys.

An initial webinar – outlining the importance of understanding investment – took place in late-March where delegates heard from special guest entrepreneur David Herbada the chief executive officer of medical deep tech company Sonosine.

The upcoming webinars taking place during May and Juneare as follows:

• Developing your IP strategy: 14 May3pm to 5pm
• Understanding how a business is valued: 23 May4pm to 5pm
• How to wow the investors – the focus is on you!: 11 June4pm to 5pm
• SEIS/EIS approval explained: 13 June4pm to 5pm

Following these webinars businesses will be invited to join a peer-to-peer group on investment readiness and offered a place at an ‘Investor Pitching Fast Track’ workshop in July.

The OxLEP Investment Readiness Club follows a successful previous set of activities – delivered through OxLEP Business’ European Regional Development Fund-supported eScalate programme – which supported many Oxfordshire businesses to find solutions and create ongoing plans to raise and secure capital investment.

Helen Brind – Growth Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “With so many avenues open to businesses when it comes to investment – including options such as business loans crowdfunding finance via personal contacts grants and angel investors to name a few – we believe it’s key to provide Oxfordshire businesses who have a desire to scale-up with a strong understanding as to the process behind securing investment and how to go about it with real confidence.

“We are delighted to offer this programme of support to our business community part of an exciting ongoing offer to Oxfordshire businesses at what continues to be a crucial time for many organisations across a variety of sectors.”

As part of the programme OxLEP Business have welcomed several industry experts who are to deliver their support on a pro-bono basis for the benefit of the county’s businesses.

Helen added: “We are delighted that our programme has been able to attract the support of many leading figures in Oxfordshire who have successfully secured investment or invested in businesses previously.

“It ultimately means our delegates will benefit from the best possible knowledge delivered by industry experts.”

This new activity follows in the footsteps of an impressive track record that has seen OxLEP support thousands of businesses across multiple sectors and locations in the county.

Earlier this yearOxLEP announced that between October 2016 and March last yearit had worked with over 6200 businesses from across Oxfordshireproviding around 18000 hours of support and adviceworth over £28.75 million.

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