Venture Capital Firms Meet SMEs at Business Sense

Leading venture capital fund managers in Ghana and UK will discuss how to access much needed capital with business owners, entrepreneurs and managing directors of small and medium scale enterprises at Business Sense 2011 conference. This important conference, which takes place at the KAMA Conference Centre on 24-25th February, is under the theme, "Turning ideas into profitable businesses to drive Ghana’s private sector" and organised by OML Africa. Lined up to address conference delegates, made up of top management from over 50 mostly Ghanaian-owned businesses, are officials from Grofin, Oasis Capital, Ghana Private Sector Development Fund and Angel Finance, UK's most experienced global finance specialists. Anthony Annan, an official of Grofin Ghana and speaker at the conference on the topic, “SME Funding -Tackling the missing majority”, said “Capital needed to drive economic growth in Africa certainly exists, but is being invested in the wrong asset class. Foreign direct investment in Africa has increased from $9 billion in 2000 to $62 billion in 2008- almost as large as the flow of capital into China, when measured relative to GDP.” He continued,” Prioritization of this capital has been imbalanced. To fully realize the potential of SMEs, the sector needs to be approached with a fresh perspective attuned to the challenges it faces. There is a need for the focus to shift from the available collateral in the business to the viability of the business and the ability of the entrepreneur.” Founder and Managing Director of Angel Finance, (an equity and venture capital which has helped raise in excess of £250million for various companies in UK, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa), Douglas Oppong will deliver a paper on "How Not To Let The Bank Say “No” To Your Business Finance Proposal” at Business Sense 2011 to equip delegates with boosting their chances of capital acquisition for their businesses. Matthew Boadu Adjei, Founder and CEO of Oasis Capital Ghana will also address the conference. Oasis Capital is raising US$25 million in a series of fund closings to enable it provide funding for SMEs and has, as of March 2010, completed its first closing at US$10 million. It has also signed a US$2 million co-investment agreement with Social Venture Capital 1 BV (SOVEC) of the Netherlands under which SOVEC co-invests with funds managed by Oasis Capital on case by case basis. Delegates at the Business Sense 2011 conference will also learn how to access the Ghana Private Sector Development Fund, a Ghanaian-Italian credit facility which is a 22-million Euro credit line supporting the growth of SMEs and enhancing their contribution to Ghana’s development . Miss Anita Wiafe, MD of OML Africa says,” As organisers, we recognize the desperate need for capital by many SMEs and as a result, we have assembled a high-quality panel of speakers to assist the development and sustainability of Ghanaian businesses. However, the focus of the entire conference is not only capital or business loan acquisition. There are other reputable speakers delivering presentations on all key areas of business including sales, business plan writing, marketing, customer service, recruitment, tax and more.” “The Business Sense 2011 conference is all about giving the best quality advice to businesses. The aim is to bring experts to share their modern day business practices that have delivered results. It brings thought leaders, experts to share and mentor entrepreneurs to embrace efficient and sustainable business practices in a modern world economy”, she added. Other speakers include Charles Nornoo (Executive Director at Development Solutions Centre and CEO of Genuine Products Limited); Jeanine Bowen (Vice Chair, Ghana South Africa Chamber of Commerce); Peter Gyateng (General Manager, Kingdom Books); Dr Dan Quaye (lecturer, University of Ghana Business School);Prince Amoako Nuamah (Ghana Chamber of Commerce); Dr Esi Ansah (Assistant Professor, Ashesi University); Kojo Amissah (Lead Executive, Commonwealth Institute of Technology and Management) and many other reputable business experts Delegates from a wide cross section of business are expected to attend including FC Beauty Group, Grameen-A Ventures, Builders Accessories Ghana Ltd, GMT Shipping Limited, Omega Health Care, AAS Consultants (Nigeria), Vahil Co Limited, Gecam Superior Limited, Anslyd Enterprise, Zaare Craft & Leather Industries, Genius Consult Ltd, Ataade Patterns, Zodiac Marine Service and Oliben Foundry & Technical Services. Others are Gravies Group, Contact & Supply Services Ltd, Resource Link Foundation, Experts Consult Ltd, Stable Capital, Green Enviro Tech Ltd, LawZan Limited, Mawood Drinkables Ltd, Philiyanco Company Limited, Prime Street Investments, ROWI, Dorwill Travel & Tours, Joy Standard Schools, Rulwilkan Global Group, Rapnet Pharmaceuticals, Kristo Asafo Mission, Krispat Ear Centre Ghana Ltd, Adansi Rural Bank and many more. A 2-day business exhibition with free admission to the public will run alongside the conference. Business Sense 2011 is sponsored by Arik Air, Joy Business, the Daily Guide and Modern Ghana. For more information call 0206367515 or 0545302854. Email: paul@hr-oml.co.uk Visit the event website http://www.businesssensegh.com To Register as a Delegate Click Here

Free Admission to Accra Business Expo

Join thousands of business-minded visItors at Business Sense 2011, Ghana's biggest event for SMEs and start-ups at the KAMA Conference Centre on 24-25th February 2011. Come and network with top decision makers in Ghana's private sector and build your business network. There will be on display various innovative goods and services from leading local and foreign companies including AirFranceKLM, Grofin, Ghana Home Loans, Citylink, TAGh, Business Innovation Systems,Gentrac Investments, Living Image Ltd, Gravies Group, Rulwilkan Global Groups and many more... Admission is FREEEEE!!!!

To Register as an exhibitor click here Some Exhibitors The Exhibitor package Exhibition stands cost from $300 are (4sq, 6m sq and 9sq) and include: Your company’s Name Written On Fascia 1 Table 2 Chairs 1 Electrical socket Carpet Fitting 2 Spotlights Exhibitor Benefits: Opportunity to showcase or launch your services and products to a targeted business audience Opportunity to network with key business decision makers Opportunity to generate new business leads Logo on the event website Logo and 50 word editorial in Exhibitor Guide Mention in our fortnightly email distributed to nearly 10,000 email addresses globally For further information on any of our Exhibition packages or advertisement in the Event Guide, please contact: Email: paul@hr-oml.co.uk or brighterfutures@hr-oml.co.uk Telephone: 0545302854 OR 0206367515 (Ghana)