About FUEL
The Business Finance & Funding Roadshow
What is FUEL?
FUEL is a practical, no-nonsense roadshow travelling across the UK to help business leaders take action. Whether you're just starting out, reviewing your finances, or planning your next move, FUEL gives you what matters most:
- Straightforward guidance
- Trusted experts
- Real opportunities to connect
- Access to the funding you need
No fluff. Just useful insights and the right people to help you move forward with confidence, with:
-
Access to Funding Opportunities
-
Practical Learning and Insisghts
-
Connections with Finance Leaders
Why is FUEL needed
Being ready for finance is one of the biggest challenges facing UK businesses today.
It’s not just about access to funding - it’s about understanding, confidence, and knowing where to turn.
Too many brilliant businesses are held back by complexity, jargon, and missed opportunities and despite the UK’s world-class financial services sector, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face persistent and quantifiable barriers.
Who is FUEL for?
FUEL is for founder-led and owner-managed businesses looking to understand, prepare for, and access the right finance to grow or stabilise, whatever their size or sector.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all event. FUEL is built around where you are on your funding journey, whether you're exploring your options for the first time, preparing to raise finance, or ready to secure funding and take the next step.
Through practical insights, expert guidance, and meaningful connections, FUEL helps you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and readiness, both on the day and long after the event ends.
Because no two businesses are at the same point in their journey, the FUEL experience is tailored to your stage, ambitions, and needs, not your size or sector.
Who's FUEL For?
FUEL is for founder-led and owner-managed businesses looking to understand, prepare for, and access the right finance to grow or stabilise, whatever their size or sector.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all event. FUEL is built around where you are on your funding journey, whether you're exploring your options for the first time, preparing to raise finance, or ready to secure funding and take the next step.
Through practical insights, expert guidance, and meaningful connections, FUEL helps you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and readiness, both on the day and long after the event ends.
Because no two businesses are at the same point in their journey, the FUEL experience is tailored to your stage, ambitions, and needs, not your size or sector.
Get Clear
For businesses just starting out or exploring funding for the first time.
Understanding your funding options is the first step towards growth. With so many products, providers, and routes to finance available, knowing where to begin can be challenging. FUEL brings together expert insight, practical guidance, and trusted partners to help you navigate the landscape and identify the opportunities that best fit your business.
Get Ready
For established businesses preparing to raise finance or strengthening their next application.
Being funding-ready is about more than completing an application. It's about understanding what lenders and investors are looking for, strengthening your proposition, and approaching opportunities with confidence. Through practical support and real-world expertise, FUEL helps businesses prepare for meaningful funding conversations.
Get Finance
For businesses ready to connect with funders and start funding conversations.
When you're ready to take the next step, access to the right people matters. FUEL connects businesses with lenders, investors, and funding specialists from across the market, creating opportunities to explore funding solutions, build relationships, and unlock future growth.
Find where you are on your funding journey
Every business reaches funding decisions at a different point. Whether you’re exploring options, preparing for growth, or ready to connect with funders, FUEL is designed to support your next step.
You don’t need to have all the answers before you attend. Most businesses move through more than one stage during the day, building understanding, strengthening their position, and connecting with the right funding partners.
Use the journey below to identify where you are today and find the conversations, expertise, and connections most relevant to your business.
Access Support That Drives Your Business Forward
Running a business takes more than ambition or determination — it takes the right support, clear advice, and strong connections.
FUEL is a practical, no-nonsense roadshow travelling across the UK to help business leaders take action. Whether you're just starting out, reviewing your finances, or planning your next move, FUEL gives you what matters most:
- Straightforward guidance
- Trusted experts
- Real opportunities to connect
- Access to the funding you need
No fluff. Just useful insights and the right people to help you move forward with confidence, with:
ACCESS TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with investors, and funders ready to support your growth. FUEL offers opportunities to find capital and collaborations that help your business.
PRACTICAL LEARNING & INSIGHTS
Join workshops and masterclasses with funding experts and entrepreneurs. Learn practical strategies to secure funding and improve your financial operations.
CONNECTIONS WITH FINANCE LEADERS
Build valuable connections with lenders, investors, and business advisors. FUEL creates vibrant networking opportunities to expand your funding network.
ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE
Showcase your business and funding needs to an audience of investors and finance professionals. Gain visibility that opens doors to new partnerships.
Helping Business Overcome the Access to Finance Challenge
Being ready for finance is one of the biggest challenges facing UK businesses today.
It’s not just about access to funding - it’s about understanding, confidence, and knowing where to turn.
Too many brilliant businesses are held back by complexity, jargon, and missed opportunities and despite the UK’s world-class financial services sector, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face persistent and quantifiable barriers.
50%
reduction in lending to SMEs since 2011
43%
of SMEs used external finance in 2024, down from 50% in 2023
1.5%
of UK SMEs apply for bank loans, compared to 22% in major EU countries
80%
of SMEs say they prefer slow growth over taking on debt
Statistics sourced from Department for Business and Trade's - Backing your Business: Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses - July 2025