StartupWeekend Newcastle, was held at the Business School in Newcastle last weekend, the 20-22 April. It's made the headlines in the Financial Times and the Huffington Post, way to go Howard !

We look forward to reading more about the winners as the develop in the future. Perhaps again next year folks? Howard, the organiser, has his own Blog at Startup Remarkable, worth a read.

Jonathan Gold, of FinanceTree and co-founder of Rivers Capital Partners is joining the judging panel at Startupweekend. Yes its coming to Newcastle starting 20th April 2012 for a full 54 hours.

This is an intense event designed to help entrepreneurs get, well started!  It focuses on building a start-up business from idea to reality over the course of one weekend. Intense it the word.

The team organising it is headed by Howard Kingston, a Durham University graduate, who for one weekend at least is almost returning to his home patch. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

From coaches and investors to developers and well people with great ideas it looks like it has it all, so have a closer look, better yet go and register, what can you loose except perhaps one weekend? You stand to gain a way of launching your dreams.

For more details and to register go to: Startupweekend

FinanceTree has developed a number of software tools to help entrepreneurs. This one is just undergoing an update PLANVENTURE. You can help by giving it a go and providing us with feedback.

The tool is designed to help you assess how ready you are to approach investors, have you prepared for what they will ask in your business plan? Its not to say whether you are a good investment or not, only 

an investor can do that... but it will help you prepare before you meet with one.

Its free so why not give it a go...  

The new NETpark Access to Finance Programme

We are now well into the course programme at NETPark with 4 out of the 6 sessions completed. NETPark tell me its still possible to join the last main session on the 15th March.

That session will be on "doing the deal" or how the investment process works.

The whole programme has provided a new and innovative modular course programme is designed to give you a competitive edge in raising that capital but also helping you to plan what you really need in terms of investment.

It’s not just about business planning
It’s not just about accounting
It’s not just about managing your finances…

It is about:

• Developing the right investment proposition to attract the money
• Getting inside the mind of the investor to meet their needs
• The perfect pitch preparing for and presenting in person and the plan
• Understanding the process and pitfalls.

For more details contact NETPark direct:

www.uknetpark.net

Finance Tree is a regional partner working for FSE Group to help companies in the North East of England access the new Social Impact Co-Investment Fund.

The Fund has been established with the aim of enhancing the supply of early-stage funding to the social impact sector. In particular, the Fund seeks to encourage business angel investors to invest in viable enterprises which operate with a primary social purpose.

The Fund will make loans to enterprises alongside and subject to an equivalent amount of angel investment. The Fund therefore is seeking to support those businesses which can demonstrate both social impact and also the ability to service debt and generate adequate returns for investors.

Launched initially as a pilot, the Fund will provide loans of between £25,000 and £100,000, repayable over 1 to 5 years terms. Repayment terms typically will be via regular equal reductions although bespoke arrangements will be considered at the discretion of the Fund. The loans may be made available via drawdown in one or more tranches linked to the achievement of relevant milestones.

Matched funding from private sector sources must be provided, of a sum at least equal to the level of the loan from the Fund. Matched funding however may be in the form of an equity or loan investment, on commercial terms that are not preferential to those received by the Fund.

http://www.financesoutheast.com/news/?id=2038

Its taken a while but we have re-loaded and updated our two investment readiness tools "Plan Venture" and "Plan Genie". Just go to the front or home page of the website and look for the buttons.

Finance Tree has a long history of training, mentoring and helping develop businesses for investment, venture capital or bank finance. Our team of investment and corporate finance professionals developed these to help you the entrepreneurs and small businesses.

They are not meant to tell you whether you have an investible business or not but rather to help you understand what an investor looks for and why as well as helping you set that down in a basic plan.

You will still need professional advice, from us or others, but these tools may at least help you decide what you do need so you are an educated customer of finance; remember it costs money to raise money and grants are running out. So try them out then call us for a chat.

Its now just over a year since the North East Finance for Business Funds, managed by North East Finance with a team of now 7 separate Funds managed by 6 Fund Managment companies started to invest.  The excitement may have died down a bit but all the Fund Managers are open for business and more than 70 companies have received venture capital investment from the Funds. What I dont understand is why more arent looking? What prevents people obtaining investment from venture capital? Simple, a simple combination of lack of ambition, fear of the unknown and no understanding of what the investors themselves need from the potential investee companies. All of these can be overcome just talk to the Fund managers or get yourself in with someone who has raised at least £50,000 of venture investment several times before.

Weigh Ahead UKENA Ltd, the airport service company, founded by Gerard and Carole Stewart achieved its first installation in a UK airport in March 2009. It is now operating in Aberdeen, Belfast City and Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle. New installations are pending and interest from further UK and international airports is actively being pursued.

The Company is dedicated to improving the check-in experience for passengers, airport staff and airlines. Its unique patented technology offers an advanced pre-check-in luggage weighing system and smart bag solution, which gives passengers confidence in their luggage allowances and the opportunity to avoid or reduce excess baggage charges. It also improves the speed of check-in and offers security benefits. Passengers, airport staff and airlines have embraced the technology.

Excess luggage charges are a global issue and Weigh-Ahead’s patented systems offers a global solution. Following recent venture capital investment the Company plans to accelerate its presence in the UK and offer license opportunities overseas. The Company is delighted to announce the successful completion of a significant round of investment from Rivers Capital Partners on behalf of the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund, Northstar Ventures on behalf of the Finance for Business North East Accelerator Fund and a private investor. The Angel Fund and the Accelerator Fund are both backed by One North East, the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.

The Company received corporate finance advice from Finance Tree and legal advice from TBI, whilst Ward Hadaway represented the investment funds.

Director, Gerard Stewart said, "We are extremely pleased with the growth of Weigh-ahead and proud of our current business associations. We are very excited with the recent introduction of new investors and leading personnel to the board of Directors. We look forward to the continued growth and global expansion of our products and service."

Director, Carole Stewart said, “We continue to embrace new technology and evolve our business in the UK and overseas. The funding arm of investment will clearly allow accelerated growth in order to become the major presence in pre-check-in systems.”

Bio processing Company Bioinnovel has secured £325,000 of investment from The North East Technology Fund managed by IP Group Plc. The Company will use the proceeds to develop and market its highly innovative acoustic sensor, whilst continuing the software development of its related soft sensor.

David Pope, Finance Tree's Director of Corporate Finance, Bioinnovel's primary advisor on the deal said "We have been delighted to provide corporate finance advice to Bioinnovel and introduce IP Group Plc to the Company. We believe the funds and association with IP Group will allow the business to accelerate its development."

Finance Tree's Corporate Finance team advises companies on fund raising of either debt or equity, together with an active M&A mandate for retained clients.  For more information on our Corporate Finance team please click here.

Welll actually no; we have news but are just catching up so watch out more on the way...