Event details
Introduction to Essex Finance Finder
Summary
Introduction to Essex Finance Finder, powered by Swoop. The Essex Growth Agency (EGA) has partnered with business funding platform Swoop to help Essex businesses discover and access the right funding solutions across loans, equity and grants.
- Date
- 16/09/2026, 13:00 to 14:00
- Organiser
- Essex Growth Agency & Swoop
Description
This partnership supports EGA’s role as the front door for business support in Essex, making it easier for businesses to understand their options and take the next step towards growth. Whether you're starting up, scaling up, investing in innovation, recruiting staff or expanding into new markets, the Essex Finance Finder can help you navigate the funding landscape and identify the most relevant,opportunities for your business.
Swoop works with a wide network of over 1,000 funding providers, including mainstream and challenger banks, alternative lenders, venture capital funds, angel investors, SEIS and EIS funds, and grant‑funding organisations. This breadth of coverage means that, whatever the funding requirement or stage of growth, businesses can be matched to relevant solutions quickly and efficiently.
More than just a technology platform - Businesses using Swoop are supported throughout the entire process. Progress can be tracked through an online profile, with notifications provided as applications move through each stage. The platform combines smart technology with experienced finance professionals, including former underwriters, accountants and equity analysts, who can provide expert guidance and help manage applications through to completion.
Quick and easy registration - Registration is straightforward and requires businesses to complete just one form. Once registered, Swoop uses the information provided to identify suitable funding and savings opportunities without the need for repeated applications. All information entered into the platform remains secure and confidential. No credit checks are carried out unless a business chooses to proceed with a funding provider, and data is only shared with consent.
Swoop saves you money too - In addition to funding, Swoop also helps businesses identify opportunities to make savings. By using Open Banking technology, where permission is given, businesses can see how much they could save each year and explore options to switch providers for services such as banking, utilities, foreign exchange, broadband, mobile phones and insurance. This means businesses can improve cashflow as well as access growth finance, supporting longer‑term sustainability and resilience.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction Gareth Heard, Essex Growth Agency 5 minutes
- Welcome
- Why access to finance matters for growth
- Introducing the Essex Finance Finder Essex Finance Finder
Live Demonstration Ciaran Burke, Swoop 40 minutes
- Creating a profile
- Finding suitable funding opportunities
- Exploring grants, loans and investment solutions
- Setting alerts and monitoring opportunities
Q&A Session Gareth Heard and Ciaran Burke 10 minutes
Venue/Location
Online