Entrepreneurs and business owners looking for finance are being invited to find out more about angel funding.

Kent Science Park and The FSE Group have teamed up to host a seminar aimed at giving small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) guidance on how to go about obtaining it.

It will feature expert advice on preparing a business for investment, tax issues and making a business opportunity appealing to investors. It will also emphasise the importance of a marketing plan to explain how the money will be used to drive growth.

Guest speakers at the seminar on October 2 (4pm - 7pm) will include an entrepreneur who secured angel financing and an experienced business angel who will explain what angels look for when assessing a prospect.

The FSE Group has been working closely with SMEs for more than 10 years. Investing in ambitious businesses with the potential for significant growth, it can also provide mentors and help to bridge the funding gap which often occurs as early stage companies start to grow.

Paul Delahunty, the group’s investment network manager, said: “Investment comes by way of buying equity in the company in return for cash. Business angels are high net worth individuals who will typically invest in a number of early stages SME companies to build a portfolio.

“The government has introduced some generous tax incentives, specifically the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and the related Enterprise Investment Scheme, to support this asset class. What distinguishes angel funding from other private investments is the non-financial contribution that investors give through coaching, mentoring, strategic advice etc. Since the shares cannot be traded, realisation of their investment is by way of an exit, typically a trade sale after five or six years.”

Richard Wheeler, KSP head of business development, added: “We have lots of innovative companies who have the potential to be world changing; and with some assistance from the angel funding they could make even more of a difference. Kent is a source of many pioneering businesses and Kent Science Park wants to provide both our tenants, and companies throughout Kent, with the best possible launch pad.”

Places at the seminar can be booked at http://angelfundingseminar.eventbrite.co.uk or telephone 01795 411500.