More than 600 business leaders from across Yorkshire and the Humber attended a number of roadshows on the issue of finance for business.

Finance Yorkshire staged the conference events in Sheffield, York, Hull and Leeds throughout March to highlight the funding opportunities available to small and medium businesses.

The £90 million venture capital and loan fund has already made significant investments to support growth proposals from companies throughout Yorkshire and the Humber.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: "We've had an excellent first 18 months, investing more than £18million in 190 businesses. This substantial level of investment shows we are in the marketplace to provide funding for growth companies.

"A number of companies have said there is no provision of finance. I'd have to differ with that view. Finance is available for companies with good growth plans and exhibiting strong potential. 

"My message to companies and those in the professional services sector would be, 'don't write off the availability of finance, come and speak with us as early as possible if you are looking for investment into your business'."

At each roadshow a number of businesses, which have received funding support from Finance Yorkshire, provided a detailed case-study of the investment they received. 

Northend Creative Print Solutions and Boston Healthcare spoke at the Sheffield event, Cizzle Biotech and VR Software in York, KRL Group and Exquisite Cakes were at Hull, while Badgequo and Ultimate Office Solutions spoke in Leeds.

James Newman, chairman of Finance Yorkshire, added: "The roadshows have been a great success. We've had an excellent attendance at all the events, offering their views on our investment approach and asking useful questions, and we've had good feedback as well."

Finance Yorkshire is now looking to stage a number of evening events in different locations, including Doncaster, Grimsby, Scarborough and Skipton.