Access To Finance roadshow

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17/03/2010

Places are going fast at a free financial roadshow for businesses looking to develop innovative ideas, with the first event in Derbyshire already fully booked.

Organised by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the Derbyshire Economic Partnership, with support from Connect Midlands, the first Access to finance Roadshow will take place on Friday 26 March at Dunston Innovation Centre, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

A further three events will take place between 9am and 1.30pm on 13 April at Phoenix Square, Leicester; 14 April at The Turbine Innovation Centre, Worksop and 21 April at NVision Technology Centre, University of Northampton.

The events, which are part of the East Midlands Innovation Festival (iFestival), will feature an interactive 'surgery' for small groups of delegates led by finance experts and business angels. Networking opportunities and the chance to talk to representatives from the region's financial support services will also help participants to take their ideas to the next level.

"emdais committed to helping businesses of all sizes to identify and access the packages of financial support available so that they can innovate, survive and grow," explained emda's Head of Innovation, Martin French. "Many of the region's businesses have already benefited from this support, whether it's to develop an idea before launching it onto the market, or invest in early stage businesses with growth potential.

"Together with our partners, provide a wide range of financial support services, offering advice, grants and loans. I would encourage people to book their place at one of the events to find out more about how this support could help make their innovative business ideas a reality."

Richard Horsley, Chairman of the Derbyshire Economic Partnership said, "This is a very important issue, particularly for smaller businesses and I'm delighted our Economic Partnership has been able to put its weight behind this initiative."

People wanting to attend are encouraged to reserve their place as soon as possible as places are limited.

Places can be reserved athttp://www.eminnovation.org.uk/ifestivalwhere further information on each of the remaining finance roadshows and the participating support services is also available.  

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the region's innovation council), the iFestival celebrates the importance of innovation with a programme of over 150 events across the region between 12 March and 23 April.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the iFestival by Lava. For further information contact Louise or Steph at Lava on 01522 842 800 /louise@lavapr.co.uk/steph@lavapr.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:

About the iFestival

· The iFestival is region-wide and takes place between 12th March and 23rd April 2010. Building on the success of 2009, the fourth annual iFestival will encompass an inspiring, inclusive programme of events, designed to help foster a culture of innovation in the region with activity targeted at young people, businesses, communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment. Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands' economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.

• Improved productivity in an increasingly competitive global market means that businesses and organisations in the East Midlands must put innovation at the heart of their core activities, if they are to flourish and stay ahead of the game. The iFestival is being co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation - The Regional Science and Industry Council. For further information including the latest programme of events and innovation updates please visit:www.eminnovation.org.uk

About East Midlands Innovation

· East Midlands Innovation is the region's innovation council, which was established in 2005 byemda. 

• East Midlands Innovation's principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.

Aboutemda

· East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.

· Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) 'A Flourishing Region', which sets out regional priorities until 2020.

· The RES, coordinated byemda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; 'Prosperity Through People' and 'Destination 2010'.

· In early 2007 the National Audit Office announcedemdahad received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly' in an independent assessment of our work - scoring 22 out of 24.

• www.emda.org.uk

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