Hosted by Bukky Babajide MBE. With Tim Kay - Department for Business, Science, Innovation & Trade and Danielle Davis - First Enterprise

The UK has no shortage of ambitious founders, but turning ambition into a growing, fundable business can be another challenge.

Where is the funding?

What support is actually available?

What makes a business ready for finance?

And what opportunities are founders potentially overlooking?

This practical fireside conversation will explore the funding landscape, government and business support, barriers to growth, investment readiness, and the opportunities available to UK founders.

We’ll explore:

• What the current UK funding landscape means for founders

• What funders look for before saying yes

• Government support and opportunities founders may be missing

• Common gaps preventing promising businesses from accessing finance

• Moving from early traction to sustainable growth

• How founders can position themselves for their next stage

• Where technology and innovation are creating new opportunities

• Practical actions founders can take next

📲 Download our Accelerator app to find more events relating to funding, and MK Tech Week, plus general support, a chance to win big at pitching, and much more besides.

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Tim Kay- Dept for Business , Innovation, Science & Trade

Tim is Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. He joined the Civil Service in November 2020 and has held various roles across the science and technology landscape covering trade, investment and policy.

In May 2024, he became Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor for BIST to provide additional support to the Department's growth ambitions from science, technology, R&D, and innovation.

Before the Civil Service, Tim spent two decades at KPMG, advising technology clients and leading major projects in the UK and across the globe.

Danielle Davis- First Enterprise

Danielle Davis is Deputy Director at First Enterprise, a Community Development Finance Institution, based in Nottingham, supporting start-ups and small businesses across the Midlands. She has extensive experience in business finance, lending, compliance and organisational development, and is passionate about increasing access to finance and support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Your Host : Bukky Babajide MBE

Bukky Babajide MBE is a British-Nigerian technology and enterprise leader, founder, strategist and international speaker with more than 18 years’ experience spanning technology, business transformation, entrepreneurship and talent development.

Her career has been defined by building - transforming organisations through technology, developing professionals and entrepreneurs, founding businesses and creating platforms that widen access to skills, networks, markets and economic opportunity.

Bukky is the Founder and CEO of Crystal Options, a technology and business consultancy, and Founder of Female Techpreneur, a platform advancing women building and growing technology-enabled businesses. Her wider entrepreneurial work spans technology, education, digital platforms, e-commerce and international market access.

In 2026, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Technology, Business and Inclusion, recognising a body of work that brings together professional excellence, entrepreneurship and social impact.

Working across the UK and Africa, Bukky advises leaders, develops entrepreneurs, builds ventures and contributes to conversations on technology, enterprise, business transformation, leadership, inclusive growth and global opportunity.

At the heart of her work is a simple philosophy: build what creates value, develop people who can lead, and create pathways for others to succeed.

** Disclaimer **

All information used in this presentation you are registering for is produced for information purposes only and is for the sole use of the attendees at the

presentation.

Whilst we feel this topic is beneficial to business owners, the views expressed are not intended to be and should not be viewed as individual advice or as a

recommendation by Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank, or any third party. You should seek independent advice in respect of issues that are of

concern to you.

To the maximum extent permitted by law we expressly disclaim all representations, warranties, or assurance of any kind, expressed or implied, that are made to

the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this presentation and do not accept any obligation to update or correct any information contained

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