Funding & support

There are various channels where small business can seek funding. Some will be low-interest loan options others maybe matched funding grants; sometimes you may find a fully-funded grant.

Depending on your age, industry sector, geography and whether you are a start-up or established business - there will be different options available. Grantfinder is a useful site to search for various criteria to find out eligibility for grants and other sources of funding.

Take a look at the following organisations that may be able to help:

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP)

A LEP is a locally-owned partnership between local authorities and businesses. A LEP plays a central role in deciding local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and create local jobs. They typically offer support to help businesses grow - through funding, workshops or free advice.

SEMLEP - a LEP covering the South East Midlands.
LLEP - a LEP for Leicestershire
CWLEP - a LEP for Coventry & Warwickshire

Digital Future First

Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business. We do this by running free workshops and providing information and advice sessions on self-employment and intellectual property. Download the BIPC services brochure.

Prince's Trust (for 18-30 year olds)

Shell Livewire (for start-ups, 16-30 year olds)

University of Northampton Business Support

Funding Circle

Gov.UK

Start-Up Loans (includes free mentor for 12 months)

<p>The Business Community offers a <strong>wide range of profession</strong>s many of whom I have got to know and trust over the years. The meetings are <strong>relaxed yet informative</strong>, enabling you to 'tap into' the knowledge and experience of fellow members. I would certainly recommend The Business Community; I would say that it is <strong>probably the best network group</strong> that I have ever attended.</p>

The Business Community offers a wide range of professions many of whom I have got to know and trust over the years. The meetings are relaxed yet informative, enabling you to 'tap into' the knowledge and experience of fellow members. I would certainly recommend The Business Community; I would say that it is probably the best network group that I have ever attended.

Roger Marlow - Obsidian Financial

<p>I have been a member of The Business Community for a number of years now. The <strong>unique mix of friendly banter</strong> with <strong>professional format and resources</strong> has been <strong>invaluable for my own business growth</strong>. I have made friendships, referred people and grown my client base thanks to The Business Community. I like there is <strong>no lockout, the meetings are a manageable size and no yearly contract</strong>.</p>

I have been a member of The Business Community for a number of years now. The unique mix of friendly banter with professional format and resources has been invaluable for my own business growth. I have made friendships, referred people and grown my client base thanks to The Business Community. I like there is no lockout, the meetings are a manageable size and no yearly contract.

Marie-Louise O'Neill - Lovely Evolution

<p>We can only state the<strong> quality of service and professionalism</strong> we have experienced throughout our association with The Business Community has been <strong>exemplary</strong>, and far <strong>beyond our expectations</strong>.</p>

We can only state the quality of service and professionalism we have experienced throughout our association with The Business Community has been exemplary, and far beyond our expectations.

Bharat Panchal - C4 Secure

<p>BusComm is a business networking group like no other. It's <strong>fun, friendly and focused</strong>. The <strong>support and advice</strong> available through the group is <strong>second to none</strong>.</p>
<p>I've <strong>gained business</strong> as a direct result of being a member. It has enabled me to <strong>find suppliers and contacts</strong> who have been able to help my clients.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend the group to anyone.</p>

BusComm is a business networking group like no other. It's fun, friendly and focused. The support and advice available through the group is second to none.

I've gained business as a direct result of being a member. It has enabled me to find suppliers and contacts who have been able to help my clients.

I would highly recommend the group to anyone.

Eleanor Lester - Shrewd PR