Loan will enable entrepreneurs group to open new training venue

An entrepreneurs group that is the biggest of its type in the UK has secured a £500,000 loan from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through fund manager Frontier Development Capital (FDC), to help it expand into larger premises and provide a dedicated training facility.

Entrepreneurs Circle, based in Birmingham, has thousands of small business members and runs local networking events each month in over 100 towns across the UK. It provides advice and support on marketing and other aspects of business growth, runs training courses and online clinics and coaches hundreds of entrepreneurs driving growth in their businesses.

Entrepreneurs Circle was founded in 2010 by Nigel Botterill, who launched nine multi-million pound companies and is the author of the business best-seller, Botty’s Rules. The group, which has been growing steadily in recent years, increased membership by 25% in 2024 and revenue by 37%.

It now plans to treble its floorspace by moving from its current city centre premises to a 15,000 sq ft unit in Solihull.  The funding will enable it to create a dedicated space for events and training. The new training centre is expected to host up to 100 entrepreneurs a day. Entrepreneurs Circle currently employs over 50 staff and expects to create 12 new jobs as a result of the funding.

Nigel Botterill, CEO of Entrepreneurs Circle, said: “UK small businesses are the engine room of the economy. With our new centre in Solihull, we can provide world-class support to entrepreneurs to help them grow. Having a hundred business owners a day coming to the Midlands for training is going to have a massive impact on their lives and businesses – it’s hugely exciting.”

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II supports small and growing businesses throughout the Midlands region. Its recent investment in Entrepreneurs Circle highlights the fund’s commitment to address barriers in access to finance and help smaller businesses to foster growth and expansion.”

Raj Minhas of FDC added: “Entrepreneurs Circle supports SMEs throughout the UK, and its role is particularly important in a more challenging economic climate. With membership continuing to increase, this funding will enable it to create a central hub for its activities with the capacity for further growth in the years ahead.”

Mark Parsons of BK Plus Accountants provided fundraising advice to Entrepreneurs Circle.