Growth Hub Live: Finance that Functions

Finance that functions

Co-Founder of online social lending business Zopa, Giles Andrews, shares his experience of raising, managing and maximising finance to make a business a success.

Giles co-founded Zopa, which connects people who want to borrow money with those who want to lend it, in 2004. As CFO he raised a total of $33m from European and US investors, leading the company through a period of dramatic growth. Zopa has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovative business model and has been described by the Guardian as ‘the pioneer of peer-to-peer lending’.

Before co-founding Zopa, Giles’s career began in the motor industry, where he co-founded Caverdale, a motor dealership which he took from start-up to a £250m turnover, before the company was sold in 1997.

Hear from Giles about how you can harness finance to make your business a success.

Why attend?

• Learn the do’s and don’ts from people with direct experience of accessing investment and investors.
• Meet a range of national and local investors and lenders through the market place.
• Gain inspiration and valuable hints and tips from those who have achieved high growth and scaleup their business through investment.

Panel discussion and workshop:

The event will also feature a panel discussion, with North East businesses and investors. The panel discussion will delve into the direct experience of businesses and investors and provide useful insights, hints and tips.

Finance marketplace:

The event will provide direct access to private and public sector funders through the finance marketplace including the recently announced £120million North East Fund.

Agenda:

• Arrival, networking and marketplace
• Introduction
• Key note
• Panel
• Networking and marketplace

Where is the event?

Newcastle Marriott Hotel Gosforth Park. You can find directions, public transport and parking information here. You will be welcomed on the day with breakfast and the opportunity to network with likeminded businesses.

Businesses that meet the following criteria are invited to attend:

• Based in the North East LEP area (Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland)
• Minimum of 5 employees
• Current turnover at least £250k per annum