How do you know when your investor train comes in?' - top entrepreneurs to bare all at Destination Growth

Three leading entrepreneurs will give invaluable advice to small and medium-sized businesses on how to find the right platform to approach the right investor and how to 'get onboard' with them at the region's biggest-ever business and networking event, Destination Growth '07.

Sarah McVittie, founder and chief executive of Texperts (formerly 82ask); Doug Richard, founder of Library House; and Jack Lang, serial entrepreneur, owner of Midsummer House and Entrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge University, will all be sharing their experience of financing and growing a business in the 'Money Talks' stream at Destination Growth '07. 

Taking place on 6 November at Duxford, 'Money Talks' is just one of four areas of focus at the region's biggest ever business and networking event.  Leadership, sales and marketing and innovation will also be addressed during the day-long event.

Knowing how to finance your business is a key issue for entrepreneurs, and a recent innovation survey by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), found that 46 percent of entrepreneurs were looking for funding for their company.  Furthermore, 56 percent believed that a lack of finance was the biggest barrier to the growth of a small business.

The 'Money Talks' stream will give delegates practical advice on how to fund their business, and will look at the range of options available.

Sarah McVittie will join a panel of leading entrepreneurs looking at the different ways that companies have chosen to finance their company.  As CEO of Texperts, McVittie spends much of her time raising money, and has successfully secured significant Business Angel investment funding in the past.

Doug Richard will join forces with BBC Radio 4 presenter Sarah Montague to unravel the myths around equity investment. Richard will be joined by the panel of 'running the gauntlet' investors (CREATE, Low Carbon Accelerator, NW Brown and SEP) where delegates will have a rare opportunity to turn the tables on investors, and put them in the hot seat instead!

Jack Lang will look at whether an entrepreneur should grow or sell their business.  As a serial entrepreneur and business angel with high-tech and internet companies based in Cambridge, Lang is no stranger to growing and selling businesses.  The decision may be between the possibility of selling your business or investing in your business in order to accelerate its growth. 

Alex Estwick, EEDA communications manager, said:

"Places for the Destination Growth are selling out fast and business leaders are advised to sign-up now to secure their place.  It really is a rare opportunity to get invaluable advice from leading entrepreneurs who have an incredible amount of business experience from across a whole range sectors - from ice cream to concrete flooring, to shaving and IT.

Business will get a chance to hear from the big guns and the little guys who are making waves. I urge all small and medium-sized businesses to visit the website and register now at www.eeda.org.uk/destinationgrowth so they don't miss out. "

Destination Growth '07 is hosted by the East of England Development Agency, and will be held this year on 6 November at Airspace, Duxford.  For more information or to register visit www.eeda.org.uk/destinationgrowth

Ends
About Destination Growth
Destination Growth 07 is the region's flagship business event, hosted by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). It is a biennial conference for leaders of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East of England. The first Destination Growth was held in 2005 was a runaway success with more than 500 delegates attending to get advice, ideas and tips from a range of business experts including Edward de Bono, Evan Davies and John Timpson.

This year's event is set to attract up to 700 senior decision makers from the region's fastest growing SMEs. The programme will feature three lively keynote speeches - one led by Jerry Greenfield and another by Gerald Ratner. These will be supported by a packed programme of educational master classes and topical debates led by 19 other high profile speakers, including Edward De Bono, James Averdieck, Nigel Risner and Sir Robin Young - more will be announced over the coming months. These sessions will focus on accelerating business growth and will have four themes:

. sales and marketing
. innovation
. accessing finance
. leadership

Destination growth will also showcase regional arts and have a lively networking and exhibition area for up to 50 business support organisations, offering opportunities to network with likeminded business leaders.

For more information or to register visit www.eeda.org.uk/destinationgrowth.

Businesses can also chat online on the business blog at: www.eeda.org.ouk/destinationgrowth/blog

About the EEDA commissioned National Patent Office Innovation research    
The survey was carried out in April 2007.  A survey was sent to East of England organisations, businesses and individuals that applied to register patents with the National Patent Office between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006.  The survey was sponsored by EEDA's regional flagship business event, Destination Growth 07, and investment competition, Running the Gauntlet. It examined a number of characteristics of companies and individuals who made the patent applications.

About the East of England Development Agency
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The vision for the East of England is to create a leading economy, founded on a world class knowledge base, creativity and enterprise to improve the quality of life for all who live and work here.  For further information visit www.eeda.org.uk