Cardiff to host key innovation summit as South Wales brings businesses and investors together
As the UK faces major economic challenges and looks towards new entrepreneurial businesses to help regenerate the economy, the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) is highlighting the entrepreneurs and investors driving growth across the country.
The EISA is bringing together entrepreneurs, start-up and SME investors, wealth managers and business advisers in Cardiff on the 8 November in a Ready Steady Grow Summit at the Park Plaza Cardiff in Greyfriers Road where experts will share knowledge on funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and the latest developments including the changes to SEIS and EIS recently announced by the Government.
Critically the government’s commitment to the Enterprise Investment Scheme beyond the 2025 deadline gives crucial security to thousands of entrepreneurs looking to use the EIS to secure investment.
Jessica Phillips from the British Business Bank will launch the summit and give an overview of the opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Other key supporters and contributors at the summit will include SFC Capital, Deepbridge Capital, and Waterspring. The summit is taking place as part of the British Business Bank’s #BizFinanceWeek.
The event will also showcase SmallSpark Space Systems, the innovative Cardiff based aerospace company, itself a beneficiary of SEIS and EIS support in its growth journey, with an address from its founder, Joseph Ward.
Director general of the EISA Christiana Stewart-Lockhart commented, “There are some fantastic start-ups being founded in Wales. Since 2018, £124 million has been invested into 355 start-ups in Wales through the EIS and SEIS. We’re delighted to be celebrating these successes and shining a light on some of the amazing achievements of entrepreneurs based in Wales. This event will bring together small businesses, investors, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and business advisers – all in one place to hear from leading entrepreneurs, and SME industry experts.”
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Scheme (SEIS), are recognised as extremely valuable in ensuring the UK has a thriving start up culture. The schemes help entrepreneurs secure crucial investment by attracting initial equity funding for growth businesses from private investors. Since the schemes were launched, over £27bn has been invested in more than 52,000 businesses.
The event will be held at Park Plaza Cardiff, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3AL, on 8 November, starting with the technical seminar at 16:30, and followed by a networking reception at 17:30.