START UP Networking Socials: Funding and Finance

The recent announcement of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II which will provide a much needed £660m boost for small businesses in the North East, aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North. Along with a number of social enterprise funding options it can often be challenging to navigate the finance landscape and choose the option best for you.

Join us on Wednesday, May 1st at Stephenson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle for an exciting evening of networking, and chat to those involved in providing information as well as meet some early stage founders who have successfully secured funding to help them startup their business in the North East.

This event, in partnership with START UP at Newcastle University, is part of our commitment to developing entrepreneurial spirit among students and the wider community.

🌐 Event Details:

📆 Date: Wednesday, May 1st

🕕 Time: 5.00pm-7.00pm

🏢 Location: Stephenson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU

🗣️ Inspiring Speakers:

• Shaun Fooy - British Business Bank
• Helen Bramhall - UnLtd
• Triin Vihmann - BODYROLL Studios, Newcastle
• Anna Nguyen - The Training Marketplace

💡 What to Expect:

• Hear about the funding and finance options for startup businesses
• Hear from early stage founders who will share their finance journey and experience
• Ample networking opportunities with fellow start-ups and start-up supporters

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but places are limited, so make sure to secure your spot by registering on MyCareer if you’re a student or graduate or via Eventbrite otherwise.

Shaun Fooy

Shaun is the Senior Manager in the North East and Tees Valley for British Business Bank. British Business Bank aims to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by supporting access to finance for smaller businesses. The British Business Bank is 100% Government owned but independently managed. It brings expertise and Government money to the smaller business finance markets. Businesses apply for finance through British Business Bank partners who can lend and invest more, especially to younger and faster-growing companies.

Helen Bramhall

Helen is an Investment Portfolio Manager for the Growth Impact Fund available through UnLtd. UnLtd, The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. They offer cash awards, grants, business support, networking and mentorship opportunities for social entrepreneurs in the UK. UnLtd’s funding and support helps social enterpreneurs to start up and scale their impact through access to a range of funding, including awards and investment opportunities.

Triin Vihmann

Triin is the founder and Managing Director of BODYROLL Studios, Newcastle. Based on the methods and principles found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, BODYROLL offers a variety of health benefits to a health and beauty-conscious clientele. Triin previously worked closely with BODYROLL Cape Town so she could bring what she believes is one of the best massage and fitness machines in the world to the UK.

Anna Nguyen

Anna is co-founder of The Training Marketplace, a global platform dedicated to bridging the gap between business training providers and training seekers. Anna and her team are working with Newcastle University data scientists and Exeter University technical experts to build their premium products. Anna's journey into entrepreneurship began at Durham University, driven by a passion to make quality business education more accessible. Her experience as a Durham Dragon's Den judge deepened her commitment to fostering innovation, and she is currently mentoring several start-ups.

- Part of Newcastle University Careers Service

START UP provides advice and support to Newcastle University students and recent graduates who want to start or scale a business, social enterprise or freelance career. They offer one-to-one coaching, workshops, events, equity-free grant funding and START UP Founderships, a high-value business pre-accelerator programme for innovators, changemakers and company creators. Whatever your ambitions, START UP, and the wider the Careers Service, can help you make the most of your skills and experience. #StartedatNCL #WeAreNCL

FIRST are an accredited learning and development agency specialising in empowering enterprise skills for students, graduates, jobseekers, early stage founders and entry level staff.

FIRST provides inclusive, lifelong learning experiences in collaboration with government, education and community organisations. Our accredited courses, workshops and events empower skills, confidence, self-belief and motivation, giving learners equitable opportunities to progress into decent work or business startup. Facilitating inclusive, economic growth, FIRST challenges the status quo by innovating and improving the quality of entry level teaching and learning within enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Event Venue

Stephenson Building, Stephenson Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom