Funding Circle to visit Preston

Two organisations providing funding and support are to visit Preston on December 4 to help local businesses unlock their growth potential.

Funding Circle has joined forces with small business support provider Enterprise Nation to give small businesses the tools and networks they need to support their growth in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.

The event, held at Society1 from 6pm, aims to help Lancashire companies unlock the next stage of their growth, whether through recruiting new staff or investing in equipment and stock.

Funding Circle opted to visit Preston following news that the city was named the UK’s “most improved” in terms of economic growth.

Last year, a total of 114 jobs were created and sustained in Preston as a result of loans accessed through Funding Circle, contributing £6m of added value to the local economy. In addition, 5,227 jobs were created and sustained across the North West.

In addition to this financing, small business owners and entrepreneurs are now being offered the chance to connect with peers and business experts, acquiring the necessary knowledge to prepare their enterprises for future finance.

Speaking at the event will be Lisa Thomason, founder of WooCreative, a commercial graphics company established in Lancashire in 1999, who now serves clients across the country. To help upgrade her systems, buy equipment and reduce her reliance on costly suppliers, Lisa has accessed finance through Funding Circle twice since July 2016.

Lisa Thomason, owner of WooCreative, said: “Looking around Preston, it’s fantastic to see small, local businesses like ours flourishing. With the help from platforms like Funding Circle and Enterprise Nation, we’re fostering a network where we can enhance our support for each other through sharing the lessons we’ve learned in business. I’m delighted to be speaking at an event aimed at welcoming other entrepreneurs into that community.”

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation said: “Finding funding at the right moment is critical for any business, however finding the right source of finance is harder than ever. That’s why making your business a more investable proposition is essential, as is doing your homework to find out the best solution. This series of nationwide events are designed to help established small firms get fit for finance to help them grow their business to the next level.” Launched in 2010, Funding Circle investors have lent £5.6bn to more than 56,000 businesses in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands. Funding Circle provides borrowers with fast and flexible financing through a simple online application, allowing small businesses to access the capital they need in days rather than months.