While starting up a company can be difficult, scaling it is a real feat. Navigating the funding and investment world can be a daunting task for new businesses, then once your business is underway finding the resources to scale up can be overwhelming.

In this session, we’ll hear from entrepreneurs on the challenges of seeking funding; startup businesses looking for funding to launch, scale up business looking for investment to grow and businesses which have successfully achieved growth funding.

The speakers will offer insights into the options available for businesses looking to access funds for growth. Expect practical advice will be given on how to find and secure the right funding for your business, from businesses who have been through the process successfully, alongside industry experts in public and private funding as well as a patent expert.

We’ll be looking to address the main challenges a startup business faces when scaling up:

• Where does funding come in?

• Is IP important?

• What do you have to keep in mind as a founder?

Talks will be followed by a panel discussion with the entrepreneurs, experts in funding, IP, and law. We’ll be looking to bring the discussion a bit further by looking at the regional imbalance in funding, why Leeds is more accommodating to scaleups than startups. Finally, we’ll also hold an open discussion on the Leeds business economy.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Dr James Gupta, CEO at Synap
• Casper Schoolderman, Director of Engineering at C-Capture
• Tom Marley, CEO and Founder of The Car Buying Group

Confirmed Panel Members:

• Steven Holmes, Digital and Technology Tax Expert at Garbutt+Elliott
• Paul Beynon, patent attorny, associate at Appleyard Lees
• Elizabeth McCloy - Senior Manager for Enterprise KPMG
• [more to come, watch this space]

Panel Chaired by:

• Jem Henderson Entrepeneur Engagement manager at Tech Nation

**Book your place with us for an interactive session around business funding and the culture you need to set to transform your start up, to a scale up!

About DRIAD: As experts in grant funding we’ve helped businesses raise over £31m for innovation projects in recent years. So if you’re in the process of trying to access funding we can offer you guidance and support to progress your application.