Business Funding Summit 2026 - Worcestershire

Connecting ambitious Worcestershire SMEs with investors, funders and growth partners. The Business Funding Summit 2026 connects ambitious SMEs with investors, funders, and growth partners across Worcestershire. Designed to drive opportunities, strategic partnerships, and access to finance - supporting local businesses with their next stage of growth. This event will move beyond simply introducing finance providers and instead helps SMEs understand how investors and funders think, what makes businesses investable, and how to position themselves for growth capital. Hosted by Oxford Innovation Advice in partnership with Worcestershire Growth Hub. This is more than a networking event. Throughout the day there will be exciting panel sessions from local, regional and national funders, a business support exhibition, access to a variety of business-support programmes and the opportunity for founders and entrepreneurs to pitch their business. Who should attend: Entrepreneurs and SME businesses from across the Worcestershire region seeking finance for growth, innovation, exports, productivity improvements, acquisitions or scale-up. More details to follow... Agenda: 09:00 Registration and refreshments 09:30 Opening welcome 09:45 Panel discussion: Unlocking Investment for Growth - Finding the Right Finance for the Right Stage of Growth 10:10 Pitch Perfect: Round 1 10:35 Panel discussion: Behind the Investment Decision - What Investors and Funders Really Want to See 11:00 Break: Networking / Funder Exhibition 11:20 Pitch Perfect: Round 2 11:45 Fireside chat: The Founder Journey - From Funding Application to Growth Success 12:05 Worcestershire Business Support 12:30 Closing remarks 12:45 Networking lunch and funder exhibition 14:00 Event Close Female Founder Workshop At the end of the event, there is a unique opportunity for 10 delegates to join Oxford Innovation Advice and Lifted Ventures for a female founder workshop. This exclusive female founders workshop delivers targeted support designed to address evidenced barriers to growth, finance access, confidence, networks and investment readiness, ensuring women-led businesses can fully participate in and contribute to the regional economy. More details and to book: Business Funding Summit 2026 - Female Founders workshop Tickets, Wednesday, November 18 • 2 PM - 5 PM | Eventbrite During booking please note any accessibility and/or dietary requirements.