Funding

Access to cash is a necessity for all growing firms, in particular emerging hi-tech businesses for whom meaningful revenues remain some way off. Government grants offer an attractive alternative to venture capital and debt for such firms.

Entrepreneurs

In the late 1990s, Adam Balon, Jon Wright and Richard Reed came up with the idea of a device to automatically fill your bath, but, on account of the dangerous mix of water and electricity involved, they changed tack and started selling fruit smoothies instead.

Entrepreneurs

‘We were already in the nursery sector, but not in a big way,’ explains Ringo Francis, chairman and chief executive of cleaning products supplier Zenith Hygiene.

Exit Strategies

I started my business in partnership 15 years ago. Can you advise me on selling my half of the business, I understand my partner has first refusal?

Financial Management

I am a freelance designer and I find it impossible to get people to pay me on time. What’s worse, I often end up taking a discount on what I have charged just to get paid because I am short of money. What can I do?

Entrepreneurs

Martin Webb has dabbled in DJ’ing, bankrupted a design company, and successfully launched and sold bar chains and radio stations. His current ventures include an exclusive French adventure centre, a printing website and a not-for-profit pub. And he still finds time to star on Channel 4.