Fire UP Your Funding: An Evening with Mario Aleppo + Expert Finance Panel

Join us for a powerhouse double-feature evening: Scaling secrets from Fireaway Pizza’s founder, followed by a tactical funding panel with experts from NatWest, SBI, The WIP, and Execution Capital.

Space is limited, so book your ticket here 

As part of the Croydon Business Support Programme (CBSP), this evening is designed for local founders who want to move beyond the start-up phase, understand what scaling actually looks like, and learn exactly how to fund it.

Part 1: Fireside Chat with Mario Aleppo

In 2016, Mario Aleppo left his job to open the first Fireaway Pizza. Today, it is one of the UK’s fastest-growing franchises. But the journey between those two points wasn’t a straight line, it involved massive financial risk, operational headaches, and learning how to lead a national brand.

Join us for a candid fireside conversation about the financial decisions, growth mistakes, and the reality of scaling fast when you’re still figuring it out.

You’ll hear about:

• The financial reality of opening the first Fireaway store and how he funded it.
• Moving from one location to a franchise model.
• The biggest mistake he made while scaling and what it cost him.
• How he manages quality control across 160+ locations.
• His advice for founders who are still employed or just starting to see traction.

Space is limited, so book your ticket here 

Part 2: Fire UP Your Funding Expert Panel

Immediately following Mario’s session, we will pivot from inspiration to implementation. This expert panel will break down the different routes to finance your own growth.

The Panel:

• Viveck Patil, State Bank of India UK: Head of the UK Business Hub, bringing expertise in commercial lending and debt finance for established businesses.
• Nick Howe, NatWest: Strategic Partnership Manager, specialising in startup banking and connecting founders to the wider support ecosystem.
• Lucy Kebbell, The WIP: Founder and grants specialist, focusing on non-dilutive funding and financial sustainability.
• Kevin Monserrat, Execution Capital: CEO and expert in alternative investment models that bridge the gap between seed and scale.