High-growth businesses invited to major West Midlands funding summit

Ambitious companies seeking investment are being invited to the Business Funding Summit 2025 – part of the West Midlands Business Festival – at West Bromwich Albion Football Club on March 13.

Organised by business support specialists Oxford Innovation Advice, the event will feature specialist panel discussions focusing on both equity and debt finance options for businesses looking to scale up and attract investment.

Claire Stewart, director of Prorizon, a pioneering health management company, will share her experience of transitioning from professor to co-founder to establish her business in the West Midlands. She will be joined by entrepreneur and business financial specialist Conor McManus, who will outline his own successful investment journey.

Jane Galsworthy, managing director of Oxford Innovation Advice, said: “The event is specifically designed for decision-makers from high-growth businesses who are serious about scaling up and seeking investment.

“Delegates will hear real-world insights from entrepreneurs who have successfully secured funding, alongside practical guidance from investors about what they look for when backing businesses.

“The summit will also include a Dragons' Den-style pitching competition featuring four specially selected businesses who have received professional pitch training with a panel including experienced two-time Dragon’s Den contender, Peter Neath.

“A second competition will give delegates the opportunity to deliver rapid-fire one-minute pitches to a panel including representatives from leading investment firms such as Mercia and Minerva.”

Oxford Innovation Advice is running the event as part of its Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness Programme, delivered on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The company has nearly four decades of experience in supporting more than 34,000 SME businesses to grow and raise finance and is a national leader in providing specialist business support programmes that nurture a culture of innovation, generating sustainable growth and economic prosperity.

Jane added: “The Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness programme has helped 650 companies in the last year with more than a dozen of those businesses successfully securing more than £2.5 million of funding.

"Over the course of the programme, we're hoping to support around 1,600 SME businesses and entrepreneurs to grow."

The event, which runs from 9.00am to 4pm, is open to businesses from across the West Midlands and Black Country. To register https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-funding-summit-2025-black-country-tickets-1152147497179?msockid=2ef52efe4cb86f6002243d2a4d036ea3.