Event management company in Northampton secures £100,000 funding for post-pandemic growth

Provis Events, a custom exhibition and event management company based in Northampton, has secured £100,000 in funding with support from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans for business expansion. The funding was obtained through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund I (MEIF I).    

Founded before 2019, Provis Events specialises in exhibition, event, and brand activation services, primarily within the agriculture sector. Operating from Northamptonshire premises, the company offers turnkey solutions for custom exhibition stands and brand experiences.  

Co-founders Sharese Gascoigne and Kevin Gascoigne bring complementary strengths to ProVis’s leadership.  Sharese’s early Business studies, and key strengths in strategic planning, have complimented Kevin’s entrepreneurial skills, obtained through years of managing Motorsport events. With a commitment to social responsibility, they are introducing inclusive and sustainable event products, aiming to lead change in the industry. 

The funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans supports specialised equipment purchases, materials acquisition, branding asset development, and working capital needs. 

Provis Events previously secured Start Up Loans and MEIF I funding from First Enterprise in 2019. With the events industry now rebounding post-pandemic, this latest round of funding will support Provis Events’ ambitious growth strategy. 

Building on the success of MEIF I, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) has now launched to continue supporting SMEs across the Midlands region. MEIF II aims to further boost the regional economy by providing accessible finance to innovative and high-growth businesses.

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans provides business loans ranging from £500 – £150,000, that are funded through several regional funds, for start-ups and SMEs that are unable to borrow from traditional high-street lenders. The not-for-profit organisation reinvests any surplus into loan funds to further support economic growth and job creation in the local communities.  

Sharese Gascogine and Kevin Neil Gascogine, Co-Founders of Provis Events, comment: “The funding from First Enterprise has been instrumental in ProVis’s journey. A Start Up Loan five years ago enabled us to establish our foundation and acquire essential assets and premises. Recently, as we experienced significant growth, we secured additional funding through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund I (MEIF I) to invest in machinery, improving efficiency and expanding our services. First Enterprise and our Investment Manager have provided exceptional support, including guidance during pandemic challenges. We wholeheartedly recommend First Enterprise and are deeply appreciative of their crucial role in helping us bring our vision to life.”    

Matthew Wright, Investment Manager at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, comments: “Working with Sharese and Kevin on their application has been a rewarding experience. Their resilience in navigating the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for growing their events business is truly inspiring. Despite the setbacks they faced, they remained determined and focused on their goals. I’m excited to see how Provis Events will continue to innovate and expand in the coming years.”