Amanda McMurray is Manager of the £2.4M Three Pillars Fund, a pre-seed investment fund investing in businesses working in energy, healthcare and health sciences and process industries and based in the North East of England. She is an investor with over 15 years' experience of spin-out, technology commercialisation and funding and investment of start up and early stage businesses.

1. Investment - how much and conditions ?
2. Mentoring - what is available, can we get it for free?
3. Other sources of money?
4. Can and how can investment (three Pillars, POC) be matched against BERR Grants for R&D?
5. Introductions to specific support - proposal review, accountants?

Jonathan is a specialist in concept and seed capital investment, with a background in business development and the commercialisation of technology with extensive experience of the Japanese market. He is the founder of Finance Tree, a training and development company working on early stage investment finance and venture capital, having completed a management buyout of in April 2008.

During his career to date he has established several early stage seed capital and venture funds attracting over £19m in capital from public and private sources for investment. A former director of NStar he also served as the Chief Executive of NorthStar Equity Investors, for its first year of operation, overseeing the creation and establishment of the £10m Proof of Concept Fund and a £23m Co-Investment Fund. He is a small investor in his own right in two technology Companies in the North East of England and has served as a non-executive director of one of these.

1. Investment: When should I seek investment ?
2. Investors: what do they look for in a company?
3. Business plans: Why do I need one and what should be in it?
4. Exits: Do I need to decide now when and how I can pay back the investors
5. Equity Investment: Why should I "give away" equity in my company

Simon is regarded as one of the leading experts in his field and is one of the first North East based advisors focussed on IP-rich businesses and their owners. Simon’s experience in this field goes back over 10. Having worked in both law and accountancy firms Simon offers well rounded commercial advice.

Simon has particular expertise in acting for growth businesses and putting together R&D tax claims, tax efficient investment, incentive structures, IP transfers and JVs / collaborations.

1. What are the benefits of making an R&D tax claim?
2. Can I claim R&D tax credits even if I’ve had an R&D grant?
3. What is the minimum R&D spend required to make a claim?
4. What sort of tax incentives are there for me to attract good employees?
5. Are there any tax incentives that can help attract investors to my business?