Enterprise Enfield Launches FREE Support Programme to Help Businesses Raise Finance

Enterprise Enfield is delighted to announce it has been appointed as the lead organisation for a European funded programmespecifically designed to help London 's new and established business owners through the process of raising finance.

Understanding Finance for Business: Investing for Success Programme is a Solutions for Business Product, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-13, securing £1,350,000 of European Union funding. It is managed and delivered by Enterprise Enfield in partnership with 3 other business support organisations in north and west London : Harrow in Business, HBV Enterprise and Prevista. The match-funding includes financial support by the London boroughs of Enfield and Harrow to provide services in their areas.

The scheme, particularly aimed at those wishing to access investment finance to support innovation and growth to improve new market opportunities, will raise a total of £2.5 million for businesses over the next two and a half years. It offers a combination of practical Finance Readiness Seminars and one to one, hands-on assistance to enable business owners become investment ready and raise the finance they require to build and develop their businesses successfully.

The Finance Readiness Seminars provide business owners with the opportunity to find out about the key aspects of raising finance, the sources of finance available and how to meet funders' requirements. The one to one support offers hands-on assistance through the whole process of raising finance which may include:

1. An initial Financial Readiness Assessment with an Adviser - an opportunity to explore funding options and assess whether the business is ready to raise funding.

2. Financial Readiness Support - if the business is ready to raise funding, an Adviser will then help prepare a Business Plan, or other relevant business proposal, and make introductions to appropriate lenders/ funders.

3. Further Support - businesses which are successful in raising funding may qualify for further one to one support.

Despina Johnson, Enterprise Enfield's CEO said:-

I am delighted Enterprise Enfield has been appointed as the lead partner in this Understanding Finance for Business: Investing for Success Programme. Business owners have had a particularly challenging time raising finance over the past year and we are certain that this much needed scheme will help overcome some of the difficulties they have faced and enable them to access the necessary funding they need to build and develop their businesses successfully.

To be eligible for this FREE programme beneficiaries must be running a new or established business, based in London, and employ fewer than 250 people*. The next Introduction to Raising Finance Seminars will be held on Thuesday 13th May or Thursday 10th June and Tuesday 27th July, 6pm - 8.30pm at Enfield Business Centre. To book a place on the seminar and find out more about the programme call Enterprise Enfield on 020 8443 5457 or visit www.EnterpriseEnfield.org