For most people starting a business, the first hurdle is finding investment. You believe in your idea, now you have to get someone else to back it. The British Business Bank is the government owned economic development bank which works to help smaller businesses looking to grow, access the finance they need to succeed whatever the stage of their development.
It doesn’t lend or invest directly but works with more than 200 partners such as banks, leasing companies, venture capital funds and web-based platforms to help entrepreneurs find the money to start or upscale their business idea.
In the Midlands, the British Business Bank has helped a wide range of start-ups from scientists to mobile chip shop owners who started their business in the pandemic. It can be nerve-wracking to pitch to a room full of potential investors, so mentoring is part of the support offered by the bank.
Sophie Dale-Black is the UK’s network director for the Midlands and North of England. She joins us for this episode of From the Midlands to talk about the changing face of smaller businesses in the region and how success comes in many forms such as Cod of Duty – a mobile fish and chips food truck owned by Matthew and Corina Martin, who landed on the name for the business while playing video games!
For further information about the British Business Bank, visit www.british-business-bank.co.uk.
