Business Sheffield welcomed over 90 local businesses to the Access to Finance event, held on 29 April at the Electric Works.
The event brought together a diverse range of Sheffield businesses to learn, share, and explore growth opportunities. Developed by the Sheffield Diverse Business Board, the event aimed to help businesses better understand their finance options and clarify common myths surrounding debt, loans, and investment.
Ben Locke, Co-Chair of the Board, opened the day with a powerful introduction on the importance of financial access in supporting inclusive and diverse business growth.
The agenda featured expert speakers who shared insights into different types of funding and how to access them:
Purple Shoots introduced microfinance options, guiding attendees through the process of applying for smaller-scale loans tailored to early-stage and community-focused businesses.
Finance for Enterprise discussed business loans available when banks or mainstream lenders are unable to offer full support. They outlined options for loans from £25,001 to £250,000 and support for businesses that can demonstrate an ability to repay but face difficulties accessing traditional finance.
Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) presented their flexible finance solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those that experience barriers to mainstream funding.
BTG Advisory delivered a detailed session on asset-based lending, explaining how businesses can secure funding using assets such as stock, property, or invoices.
Mercia provided an in-depth overview of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and explained how growth-oriented businesses can access the various types of investment available through their platform.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) outlined the South Yorkshire Equity Platform, highlighting how local businesses can take advantage of this regional funding opportunity.
Business Sheffield concluded the event by sharing information about available grants and explaining the steps involved in the application process.
To access the slides from the event, please visit: Access to Finance Sheffield: Grants, Loans, Microfinance and Equity Options for Local Businesses
Support for Tech Businesses Across South Yorkshire
Business Sheffield is expanding its Tech Scale Up Advisors programme, offering tailored support to tech startups and growing companies across Doncaster, Rotherham, and Barnsley. Funded by TECH SY, this pilot will run from 12 May 2025 to January 2026.
Participating businesses receive up to five hours of free one-to-one support from experienced business leaders, helping them tackle the challenges of scaling. Advisors act as ‘critical friends’, providing flexible support with no set agenda — just relevant, high-impact guidance.
Support includes:
- Startup advice on MVPs, monetisation, and investment readiness
- Growth planning, leadership, and productivity improvement
- Connections to investors, innovation programmes, and local opportunities
Who can join:
Tech businesses in the early stages, based in South Yorkshire, and able to identify areas where support is needed. Referrals close on 28 November 2025.
To get started, book your initial meeting via Morgan’s Calendly page.
To learn more about this event: Tech Scale Up Advisors expand across South Yorkshire