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>Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The <strong>members are incredibly supportive</strong> and Paul is always <strong>open to new ideas</strong> and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring <strong>an exemplary customer experience</strong>. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes <strong>joining a no-brainer</strong>.</p>

Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The members are incredibly supportive and Paul is always open to new ideas and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring an exemplary customer experience. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes joining a no-brainer.

Kirti Patel - Career Inspiration

<p>In the short time I’ve been a member, The Business Community has <strong>transformed my business</strong> and I’ve met some fantastic contacts along the way. Paul Green and Stephen Church are excellent hosts and bring <strong>great charm and personality into the meeting</strong>. Highly recommended to any business - whether starting out or established.</p>

In the short time I’ve been a member, The Business Community has transformed my business and I’ve met some fantastic contacts along the way. Paul Green and Stephen Church are excellent hosts and bring great charm and personality into the meeting. Highly recommended to any business - whether starting out or established.

Sam Sayer - DeType Limited

<p>The Business Community is a <strong>vibrant networking group</strong> that successfully combines <strong>professional relationship building</strong> with <strong>business education</strong>. Paul’s <strong>engaging facilitation style</strong> enables people to <strong>bond quickly</strong> and <strong>learn from each other</strong>. The inputs provide up to date thinking to challenge the members of The Business Community to think and act differently so to improve business results.</p>

The Business Community is a vibrant networking group that successfully combines professional relationship building with business education. Paul’s engaging facilitation style enables people to bond quickly and learn from each other. The inputs provide up to date thinking to challenge the members of The Business Community to think and act differently so to improve business results.

Paul Beesley - Beyond Theory

<p>A <strong>great group of people</strong>. Meetings are <strong>well structured</strong> and the <strong>format is helpful</strong> to meeting a number of people. The additional features of being a member with having access to all members and <strong>lots of other features too numerous to mention</strong>.</p>

A great group of people. Meetings are well structured and the format is helpful to meeting a number of people. The additional features of being a member with having access to all members and lots of other features too numerous to mention.

Paul Simpson - TaxAssist Market Harborough