The Evolution of Alternative Forms of Entrepreneurial Finance – 10 years after the Global Financial Crisis

During this turbulent period which has seen both banks and private equity participants withdraw from the early stage entrepreneurial finance markets in the UK and most developed economies (Wilson and Silver, 2013), a large number of alternative forms of early stage entrepreneurial finance have emerged. These include crowd funding, incubators and accelerators, angel groups, asset finance, alternative public investment, government interventions into grants, loans, mezzanine and pure equity finance (Baldock and Mason, 2015).

This conference will present the latest research and practitioner evidence from the UK and developed economies, addressing how the early stage entrepreneurial finance escalator has evolved since the post GFC breakages (Gill, 2010).

We anticipate a strong international presence, concentrating on the UK and Europe. Alongside leading academic research the conference will showcase policymaker and practitioner activity.

Provisional line-up of speakers: Professor Colin Mason (Glasgow University), Daniel Van Der Schans (British Business Bank), Osman Anwar (SQW and Oxford Innovation), Keith Arundale (Henley Business School), Professor Javed Hussain (Birmingham City University), Tom Britton (Co-founder of SyndicateRoom).