Crescent supports 13th InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

With more local venture capital funding available than ever before, innovative businesses across the island have now got greater access to equity funding.

BELFAST, 11th March 2014: This was the message from this year’s 13th InterTradeIreland Venture Capital (VC) Conference at the Titanic Belfast, which brought together entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, business angels, investors and company representatives, to share insights into the array of funding options available to businesses.   The Conference, the only event of its kind on the island, was attended by a record number of 350 delegates.

With venture capital activity on the island up by 6% in 2013 from €260m to €284m according to the recent Irish Venture Capital Association’s Venture Pulse survey, the event highlighted the many funding opportunities now available to businesses and advice on accessing funds.

The Conference was formally opened by Arlene Foster, MLA Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and was chaired by Jim Fitzpatrick, award-winning independent broadcaster and journalist. Amongst the keynote speakers at the Conference were Patrick Joy, Founder of Co. Louth based SureTank and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 and one of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs, as well as four other younger enterprises’ experience of raising equity.

The event also included a speed networking session and three parallel sessions covering early stage funding, series ‘A’ funding and life sciences. Risk sharing, crowd-funding and state supports from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, also formed part of this comprehensive conference programme.

The event was supported by Crescent Capital.