Unlocking Business Finance: Tools & Resources for Start-Up Success

Are you ready to take your business idea to the next level?

Join us for an engaging and insightful panel discussion designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners. This event will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to access funding and build a solid financial foundation for your venture.

We’ll be joined by a panel of experts – including a representative from the British Business Bank - for an informal fireside chat exploring the start-up finance landscape in the UK. You’ll hear directly from small business owners who have successfully navigated the funding journey, sharing their experiences of securing grants, loans, and alternative finance options.

Together, our speakers will unpack the essential resources available to help you launch, sustain, and grow your business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this session will provide practical insights and inspiration to move your idea forward.

What to Expect:

• Practical guidance on navigating the UK’s business finance landscape
• Insights into government-backed funding schemes and how to apply
• Tips on preparing your business for investment or loan applications
• Live Q&A to get your specific questions answered

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to make informed financial decisions for your business.

Why attend?

· Be inspired: Hear from those who have been there and done that!

· Ask the experts: Bring your questions and our panel of experts will address them.

· Connect and share: Learn from the others’ success and share your own best practice in an informal, supportive environment.

Programme:

9.00 – Registration and refreshments

9.45 – Welcome and introduction from the organisers

10.00 – Fireside chat with experts

10.45 – Q&As

11.15 – Networking over refreshments

13.00 – Event closes

Speakers:

Ajith Muthayil - Co-founder and COO of ThinkClock Battery Labs, where he leads operations, strategic growth, fundraising, and partnerships to advance clean mobility through advanced battery health analytics. With over 17 years of global experience in product strategy and innovation, he previously managed multi-million-pound programs at Johnson Controls across international markets. An electronics engineer with an MBA from the University of Westminster, Ajith is passionate about bridging research and commercialization, championing sustainable innovation, and driving ThinkClock’s mission to power a more data-driven, net-zero battery ecosystem.

David Woods - The British Business Bank is the UK Governments economic development bank. David works for the UK Network within the bank, working with VCs, brokers, accountants and other financial intermediaries. These organisations provide intelligence on how SMEs are finding access to finance, helping the Bank target resources better. Prior to working at the bank, David worked for an R&D tax consultancy and a London university, working on Knowledge Transfer.

Who Should Attend?

This event is perfect for business owners looking to enhance their procurement readiness and expand their network.

Due to the nature of our funding, we particularly welcome ethnic minority-owned SMEs that are registered in London (as per your Companies House record) to this exciting event.

Minority Business Matters –

Minority Business Matters is a business support project that helps ethnic minority businesses in London become ready to do business with leading brands and the public sector. The project is a partnership between Heart of the City and MSDUK and is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. #UKSPF

Host or Publisher Heart of the City