Minister backs campaign to help small businesses

A GOVERNMENT Minister has backed a campaign starting in the North East to help SMEs find the right advice and become “investor ready”.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

Small Business Minister Blair McDougall has backed the FUEL initiative being delivered by County Durham business support specialists UMi.

The programme, which starts with a roadshow in Newcastle next month before events around the country throughout the year, aims to help overcome the challenges faced by UK SMEs when trying to access finance to launch or grow.

The launch event will take place at the Grand Hotel at Gosforth Park on March 17. Experts will help North East companies identify what type of funding is right for them, how they can reach funding and investor-ready status, and discover who is actively looking to back businesses similar to their own.

More than 250 appointments have been scheduled for attendees and pre-matched funders to directly discuss support for companies' individual requirements.