Businesses access opportunities at Funding Festival
February 19, 2026
The Staffordshire Funding Festival, hosted by Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub in partnership with the British Business Bank, has opened up opportunities for growth to businesses across the region.
Bringing businesses together with investors, funding experts and support services, the festival was built on the success of the inaugural event last year, with a wide range of exhibitors and a packed agenda of presentations and panel discussions.
Designed to incubate growth and drive innovation across the county the Staffordshire Funding Festival is the largest event of its kind in the region.
Businesses from across the county gathered at BET365 Stadium to connect with investors and high street banks as well as expert speakers offering advice on funding opportunities.
Rachel Wood, Growth Hub Manager, at Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub said: “The Staffordshire Funding Festival 2026 is vital to our region. It was a sell out with more than 200 businesses in attendance.
“We’ve spoken to lots of people from start-ups and established businesses. A lot of them have returned after attending last year’s event and the feedback is that many have secured funding or finance for their business.”
Lee Hollinshead of Stoke-on-Trent based D-Tex Visual said: “The presentations we’ve seen here really give you a better understanding of what the processes are when you apply for funding and what goes on throughout the decision-making process.
“It’s really good for this area which has historically been under-funded and it’s a really good event which shines a positive light on Staffordshire.”
Expert speakers at the event covered key topics including early-stage investment, alternative funding types and traditional funding for businesses.
Felix Peter-Thomas from Santander was exhibiting at the festival and took part in panel discussions on the day. He said: “When it comes to funding, Staffordshire is an amazing location with brilliant businesses that are the lifeblood of the entire country, but sometimes the conversation gets lost in translation.
“Bringing everyone together to have that conversation, to focus on what can actually make their businesses go from one level to the next level, is absolutely brilliant.”
Tracy Sherratt is Senior Manager for the West Midlands at British Business Bank, which co-hosted the event.
She said: “The Staffordshire Funding Festival provided a wide range of opportunities for business across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to explore options for funding and finance that will help them scale up in 2026.
“Businesses that are looking to expand, innovate or get off the ground often need funding or investment that supports their ambitions, and we were very pleased to host the event in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub.”
Independently managed, but 100% owned by the UK Government, the British Business Bank brings expertise and capital to the smaller business finance markets as part of a mission to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the country.
