Event Summary
Join us for an engaging and practical session designed to help founders, business leaders, and advisers deepen their understanding of how small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) can access funding to support growth. Whether you work with early‑stage ventures or established businesses, this session will walk through the key principles behind SME finance and the range of funding routes available today.
The session blends clear explanations with real‑world context, making it ideal for those who want to feel more confident advising clients or making informed financial decisions for their own business.
What Attendees Will Learn
During the session, we’ll cover:
- The fundamentals of SME funding – what lenders and investors look for, and how decisions are made.
- Types of finance available – including debt, equity, asset‑based lending and grants.
- How equity finance works – investor expectations, dilution, and typical terms.
- Loan finance principles – security, personal guarantees, affordability, and risk assessment.
- Preparing businesses for funding – key documents, financial information, and commercial considerations.
- Common challenges and how to overcome them – improving readiness, navigating compliance, and understanding timelines.
- A brief introduction to the FSE Group – host Rob Hillary is an Investment Manager at the FSE
By the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of the UK SME funding landscape and practical insights they can use immediately in their roles.
About the Host – Rob Hillary
Rob Hillary – The FSE Group
Rob Hillary is an Investment Manager with The FSE Group with extensive experience supporting SMEs through debt and equity funding. Rob has also spent a number of years with NatWest and Handelsbanken, working closely with founders, advisers, and investment partners. Rob specialises in assessing early‑stage and growth‑stage businesses, structuring funding solutions, and guiding companies through the investment and lending process. His work spans a wide range of sectors, with a focus on helping ambitious teams secure the right finance to achieve scale.
