Funding the Dream: Navigating the Startup Finance Maze

On Wednesday the 22nd of April, students attended the Funding the Dream: Navigating the Startup Finance Maze panel as part of the Pop‑Up Living Lab at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School.

The event was hosted by our very own Darren O’Brien from Banking and Finance, who moderated the discussion and guided audience participation throughout the session.

The panel featured three industry professionals, each offering different perspectives on start up finance.

Ian Dixon, Head of Access to Finance at the GM Business Growth Hub, shared insight into the support available for start ups and SMEs, particularly around grants, funding programmes, and improving investment readiness. His contribution focused on helping businesses understand where to look for finance and how to approach funders strategically.

Nick Richardson, founder, board director and shareholder of The Insights Agency, and founder and director of End Game, spoke from the perspective of an entrepreneur who has built and scaled businesses. He discussed real‑world challenges founders face when raising finance, including managing investor expectations, maintaining control, and planning for sustainable growth.

The panel was joined by Anita Frost, founder of Green Bean Studios, a creative business specialising in digital storytelling and animation. Anita shared her experiences of funding a creative startup, highlighting the importance of resilience, understanding financial risk, and choosing funding routes that align with business and ethical values.

Together, the panellists explored funding options such as bootstrapping, grants, angel investment and venture capital, emphasising that funding decisions should match the stage and goals of the business.

Students were encouraged to focus on preparation, clear communication, and financial planning. The session also enabled engagement with real businesses in the Living Lab, offering practical insight into the complexities of start up finance and the realities of navigating the finance maze.