Adding to the wealth of my country has been a privilege over the past few years. It's been one of the honours and most fulfilling things in my life - being one of the UK Government's Dealmaker - doing deals to bring global tech companies to the UK for over 15 years now. Hundreds of jobs created, taxes paid! The government auditors estimate our small team of 15 have brought in over a billion dollars of investment into the UK since I started in 2005.
Dealing with foreign governments from India to China and Singapore UAE Malaysia and the differing cultures have been a joy.
But most of all the laughter. The stories. It's been so so much fun. I never knew it would be such a huge part of my life. Though there were times of exhaustion, medical drips, there were highs such as when the UK PM launched my initiative of UK India Business Angel network and I got to share the stage with the PM and when I got to show their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess around some entrepreneurial companies and introduce them to...my wife!
Trying to run a business at the same time meant business suffered. My own personal ambitions came second to those for my country. For that it was worth it. As I said to one of our team...we get to put on the England shirt or rather the Team UK shirt. So bleed for this or leave the fricking team.
To all the entrepreneurs I met, with all their energy, all the Foreign Office staff from Ambassadors to the new members - they've always been a pleasure to work with...okay maybe one or two were not...but we got rid of them
Speeches to our department on leadership and on "getting the most out of teams to excel globally" were an added perk.
Being asked by the Minister to open the China market for the Programme was another highlight.
After this I never craved being a Minister.
Not fun: having my encrypted hard drive stolen, due to my breaching Government rules, and having to report that - embarrassing.
Putting on the UK shirt, for Department for International Trade (DIT) Global Entrepreneur Programme has always been a fulfilling privilege. And messages like this from Air for Life are one reason why. Representing your country is it's own reward. This is one of the companies whose technology we've brought to the UK, exports globally. A worldclass cleantech company. We look to bring the best tech and entrepreneurs to the UK for their global HQs.
Here are some links which may assist your entrepreneurial venture make wealth for yourself:
Workspaces
https://maps.london.gov.uk/workspaces/
Find an Expert You Need: DIT Directory
https://www.great.gov.uk/investment-support-directory/
Funding and grants from Innovate UK
See https://www.innovateuk.org/funding-support#
Other funding:
https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support?page=2 – for business funding for your region
https://www.fairfinance.org.uk/business-loans/ - business loans for those refused elsewhere
https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/businesses - Peer to Peer funding, unsecured loans
http://www.socentxchange.net/ - Social Enterprise Grants
Alpesh B Patel
www.trading-champions.com