Barclays has launched a free online service for founders to showcase their business to potential investors.

Describing its so-called Demo Directory as a first-of-its-kind offering from a UK bank, Barclays said the service, which was originally launched as a newsletter a year ago, aims to help businesses seek investment opportunities that they previously may not have explored.

The bank said that its research shows that nearly 49 per cent of founders at high-growth businesses feel that their business location restricts their access to investors and funding, while 48 per cent think the costs associated with raising investment has prevented them from seeking sources of capital in this way.

Barclays said that its new service would help to “alleviate” some of these major barriers to businesses seeking out investment.

“In the 24 months where we made business and investor connections through our newsletter version of the Demo Directory, 49 per cent of founders have raised money within the six months of being on the Demo Directory,” said Benjamin Storey, head of Demo Directory at Barclays. “What’s more, 48 per cent of the businesses showcased were located outside of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, Cambridge and Oxford.”

Share Story: