South West firms seek £200m in Bristol investor showcase
40 ambitious businesses from the South West and Wales went head-to-head last week in Bristol, seeking £200 million in investment at a flagship event hosted by the British Business Bank.
The Investor Roadshow at City Hall (Wednesday 25th February) featured businesses presenting directly to a panel of leading investors, venture capital firms and industry heavyweights with the power to back their growth plans.
From cutting-edge life sciences and clean energy pioneers to fast-scaling digital, creative industries and fintech businesses, the line-up reflected the breadth and strength of commercial potential in the South West and beyond.
Health innovators and advanced manufacturers were also among those taking the stage, each competing for significant backing to accelerate expansion, create jobs and take their business to the next level.
The event, supported by the West of England Combined Authority and Innovate UK, supports the Bank’s strategic objective to boost regional investment and build a stronger UK venture capital ecosystem outside London and the South East.
The Investor Roadshow complements the Bank’s new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative. This is to support talented, early-stage investors from a wide range of backgrounds to launch their first venture capital funds and build investment track records. This includes underrepresented groups, with the initiative targeting at least 50% of all investment to female fund managers, as well as supporting the Bank’s commitment in developing and supporting regional science and innovation clusters and new regional angel networks.
It also supports the Bank’s existing £200m South West Investment Fund, which has driven more than £120m into new and growing businesses in the region since 2023 through direct and private sector co-investment, according to latest figures.
Louis Taylor, Chief Executive of the British Business Bank, said, “The Investor Roadshow is about fuelling growth and strengthening the UK’s investment ecosystem, as part of our five-year strategic plan to transform how smaller businesses are financed and unlock economic potential across the UK. As the government’s economic development bank, we play a vital convening role – opening doors to opportunities that investors might not otherwise see – and it’s fantastic to bring together so many ambitious businesses with around 180 investors.
“Through our Investor Pathways Capital initiative, we will back more funds focused on UK start-ups and early-stage firms, ensuring that investors are connected to the next generation of high-growth opportunities. Venture capital is crucial to driving innovation and scaling transformative businesses, and we are committed to increasing investment in female-led funds to tackle the persistent funding gap facing female-founded companies”
Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, said, “Innovate UK’s mission is to help high-potential businesses to grow and scale. We work in partnership with the British Business Bank to drive growth and create the jobs and industries of tomorrow. Cutting-edge companies throughout the south west can play a vital role and we look forward to seeing the very best at this investor showcase.”
Meanwhile, Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, described the region as “bursting with ambition, talent and ideas.”
She added, “This showcase is a brilliant opportunity to put the country’s fastest-growing regional economy on display. Bringing 40 high-growth businesses together with around 180 investors here in Bristol sends another strong signal that our region is open for business.”
Pictured above: A panel session at The Investor Roadshow (IMAGE: British Business Bank)
