Preparing Tees Valley businesses for investment

A new programme being offered by DigitalCity will provide fully funded support for Tees Valley digital and tech businesses who are looking to get investor ready.

Led by financial experts, Edale, the Investment Readiness Programme 2022 is aimed at businesses which have developed significant growth plans but lack resources such as time and money to action them.

DigitalCity will work with the businesses to investigate and explore the investment world.

The Investment Readiness Programme is fully funded through ERDF* and will be delivered through four sessions starting 16 November.

This programme will help Tees Valley businesses learn more about investment and demystify the investment process through interactive workshops, one-to-one coaching and a friendly investor den to prepare leaders to pitch their businesses and gain valuable feedback from real-life investors.

Topics that will be covered:

1. Funding, investment and cash options for 2023
2. How to present, story-tell and what to pitch
3. Learn about valuation methods and the investment process
4. Key elements in a pitch deck and developing a storyboard
5. Making an investment case
6. How to ace any financier/investor Q&A

David Dixon, Digitalisation for Growth Manager at DigitalCity, said: “This programme is about helping business leaders to understand investment practically, and to defeat any perceptions that it isn’t right for them.

“Through our enjoyable learning experience, we will provide deep insights into what makes a business investable and prepare entrepreneurs to tell their unique story in a way that captures investors and promotes growth.”

In the final session, participants will have the opportunity to gain experience in pitching. This experience will not be about raising money, however it will provide a safe practice opportunity within a real-world setting. The programme will also include bespoke support including a one-to-one mentoring session and consultancy support to discuss individual plans and business needs in more detail. DigitalCity, is a Teesside University-led initiative and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is acknowledged as one of the key drivers of digital growth and transformation in the Tees Valley.

The Investment Readiness Programme is being delivered on 16, 23, 30 November and 7 December 2022.

Please get in touch with David.Dixon@tees.ac.uk if you are interested in applying for the Investment Readiness Programme.

ERDF eligibility rules apply.

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