Join us and be guided through the fast-moving world of alternative finance and find out from industry experts how you can get access to different form of investment!

You may have already heard something about crowdfunding, or about Peer-to-Peer Lending in the media? They form part of the world of alternative finance which is challenging traditional banking and sources of finance, and has already started to have a major impact on businesses across the UK, as well as opening up many exciting new investment opportunities for people.

This business breakfast will bring you right up to date with the latest developments in alternative finance. If you run a company, charity or community enterprise in the New Forest or nearby, or you are curious about how you could get involved in this potentially rewarding form of investment, then book a place at this seminar.

An event that will guide you through the fast-moving world of alternative finance, with industry experts explaining how businesses can get access to different forms of investment, and how anyone can get involved in, and benefit from, these new ways of investing and lending.

You won’t need to be an accountant or finance expert to understand what our line up of industry experts will be discussing. The event is designed for anyone who is looking to grow their business, or whose current organisation needs refinancing. You might be a sophisticated and/or wealthy investor, but equally you might just be looking for a return on some modest savings.

All our speakers live and work locally, but their interest in Alternative Finance extends across the UK, and beyond.  You’ll be guided through some of the opportunities and risks involved with lots of interesting examples of the different platforms (such as Syndicate Room, Crowdcube, FundingKnight and Funding Circle). You will hear how traditional banking has failed to support many small and medium sized business owners in recent years, and why entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to alternative sources of finance.

David Stevenson (a regular writer for the Financial Times) will lead the seminar explaining how alternative finance works, and what it offers businesses, charities and community organisations that banks cannot. David lives in the New Forest, has varied business interests including starting up a new company in Bournemouth, and has become an ‘AltiFi’ industry guru.

Other speakers include Graeme Marshall, who runs FundingKnight, a Peer-to-Peer Lending business, based near Southampton Airport; Tom Britton of Syndicate Room (a crowdfunding company) and Geoff Cooney, of Genie Lending Ltd, which helps companies get access to finance from many different sources. There will be plenty of time to ask your questions – whether you need to raise finance, or to borrow – or whether you have some money to lend or invest

Please note BBC South will be in attendance at the seminar for the purposes of reporting a general news piece on alternative finance – individual questions/names will not be recorded but you may be featured in background footage. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this then please don’t hesitate us.

The event timetable will be as follows:
7:30 Registration
7:45 Welcome from Sophy Robinson (NFBP Board Member)
7:50 David Stevenson
8:00 Graeme Marshall
8:15 Breakfast
8:35 Tom Britton
8:50 Geoff Cooney
9:05 Q&A
9:20 Networking