100 Stories of Growth - Insights from Entrepreneurs

73 72 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP stage businesses on raising finance for growth. Our ELITE programme is designed to prepare companies for their next stage of the scale-up journey, helping them navigate funding options and ultimately prepare them in a sustainable way for external investment and continued business growth. Companies that complete the 18-month programme also have access to ELITE’s private placement platform which has helped businesses like eToro, which recently raised £100m. Access to expert networks Collaboration is absolutely key and the convening power we have as a global financial markets infrastructure group means we have the platform to bring together companies – public and private – investors from angels to venture capital and private equity, institutions, as well the expert advisory community that exists around fundraising. We’ve seen a significant benefit from bringing people together to share their experiences, and believe it’s critical for growth companies to be able to access this network to capitalise on their growth plans. A supportive risk culture The UK is often criticised for its inability to promote success stories, a lacklustre risk appetite and a culture that is unsupportive of business failure. This is why Intelligent Partnership’s 100 Stories of Growth campaign is critical in showcasing the success of Capital at Work. Providing role models and shining a light on today’s shining stars to inspire growing companies across the UK and indeed the world to have the ambition to scale up and go for growth. Investor sophistication is ever-increasing in the UK around cutting-edge sectors like tech and healthcare. Our recent Finance for Fintech research report shows that London brings together internationally focused companies and global capital. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE stacked against scaling companies. This has invited a plethora of services and financial incentives aimed at start-ups and more recently to scale-ups from both the private and public sector. But the water is now muddy with optionality and the risk that companies disengage at a time when they need the support and finance most. According to Beauhurst there are 3,856 unique visible scale-up businesses in the UK. In order to engage effectively with these leaders of tomorrow I aim to look at each element of the so-called ecosystem and explore ways in which we can ensure collaborative solutions that make a real and lasting impact for years to come. Here’s a quick look at the elements of an ecosystem for growth: The chain of finance At London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), we know the importance of joining up the funding chain. Supporting small companies with the right funding throughout the stages of their development will help build the next leaders of our economy – driving real economic growth and creating the jobs of tomorrow. In order to be able to start, scale and keep UK companies in the country, we need to be able to work with the entire marketplace to enable a seamless transition for companies moving from one source of finance to the next. Through our regional UK advisory teams, we’re working with entrepreneurs and founders on their capital-raising strategies. Some companies will choose to take private finance, some will choose to sell their businesses and others will look to public markets like AIM and the main market for long-term patient capital to fund their growth. In order to be able to start, scale and keep UK companies in the country, we need to be able to work with the entire marketplace to enable a seamless transition for companies moving from one source of finance to the next. Actively working together through referrals, joint projects and missions is key to providing movement from the initial stages of finance through to advanced. Alongside this, companies need business support and advice to prepare for their next phase of funding. Practical advice and mentoring LSEG is leading the way in providing practical advice and mentoring for earlier-