Funding for Growth: Are You Finance Ready?

Funding for Growth: Are You Finance Ready?

Looking to secure funding for your business but unsure where to start?

Join Business Growth Dorset for the first event in our new Business Growth Dorset Breakfast Series, bringing local businesses together for practical insights, useful connections and access to expert support.

This session focuses on Access to Finance, helping you understand the funding options available and how to get your business finance-ready before approaching a lender or funder.

Hear from:

Amelia Atkins - Business Advisor, Evolve
Practical guidance on preparing your business for funding, including understanding your numbers, cashflow and financial projections, what funders want to see and common mistakes to avoid.

John Murray - Business Manager, SWIG Finance
An introduction to funding routes for start-ups and SMEs, including Start Up Loans, business lending and alternative finance, what lenders look for and how the application process works.

You’ll leave with:

• A better understanding of the finance options available
• Practical tips to improve your finance readiness
• Insight into what lenders and funders look for
• Information about support available to Dorset businesses

There will also be time to meet other local businesses and the Business Growth Dorset team over light refreshments.

Wednesday 30 September 2026
8:30am to 10:30am
Evolve, 3 Winchester Place, Poole, BH15 1NX

What to expect

• 08:30 - 09:00 Light refreshments and networking
• 09:00 - 09:15 Welcome and Business Growth Dorset update
• 09:15 - 10:00 Guest speakers and presentations
• 10:00 - 10:30 Networking and close

Getting there

• Chapel Lane car park (BH15 1NZ) is directly opposite and has a maximum stay of four hours. RingGo location 3251.
• Poole railway and bus stations are only a couple of minutes' walk away.
• If you're cycling, bikes can be brought inside and stored securely during the event.

Accessibility

The event and meeting rooms are on the ground floor. There is one small step from the pavement into the building and internal doorways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users. There is a small shared visitor car park at Winchester Place, although spaces cannot be guaranteed, a disabled parking space can usually be reserved at the front of the building. Please contact us in advance if you would like us to arrange this.

If you have any accessibility requirements or would like to discuss arrangements before booking, please contact us.

This event is part of the fully funded Business Growth Dorset Breakfast Series, supporting Dorset businesses with expert insights, practical guidance and valuable networking opportunities.

There will be photographs and video taken at this event which may be used to publicise the event and the work of Business Growth Dorset. To find out more about how we use and store data please see our Privacy Notice.