Early-stage company entrepreneurs are hamstrung by a lack of information on how to access the external funding needed to support their growth plans, according to new research published today by the Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA).

The VCTA surveyed 240 senior decision makers in charge of recently launched small businesses less than seven years old and employing up to 250 employees.  Despite an overwhelming majority (92%) of respondents requiring equity finance over the coming two years, almost half (44%) say they lack information on how to access it, the figure rising to 47% among entrepreneurs based outside of London and the Southeast.