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 is a <strong>top class networking group</strong>. The meetings are great, with a <strong>relaxed but professional feel</strong>. The members are all very <strong>supportive</strong> and Paul does a great job of keeping the meetings interesting as well as providing more than just a meeting. I would highly recommend them to anyone that is looking for networking opportunities.</p>

The Business Community is a top class networking group. The meetings are great, with a relaxed but professional feel. The members are all very supportive and Paul does a great job of keeping the meetings interesting as well as providing more than just a meeting. I would highly recommend them to anyone that is looking for networking opportunities.

Sean Clegg - Tiny Jungle

<p>I really enjoy the BusComm meetings, the format works quite well and the <strong>atmosphere is very friendly</strong>, most importantly it is <strong>not too scary</strong> even when you are new to networking. I have got enough support from BusComm members, number of clients and <strong>valuable business contacts</strong>.</p>

I really enjoy the BusComm meetings, the format works quite well and the atmosphere is very friendly, most importantly it is not too scary even when you are new to networking. I have got enough support from BusComm members, number of clients and valuable business contacts.

Ashish Kumar - Web Alliance

<p>BusComm offers <strong>structured yet relaxed and friendly networking</strong>, but it's so much more than that; the <strong>support of fellow businesses is fantastic</strong>, through good times they are there to cheer you on and during the more difficult times they are there to offer invaluable practical support. This f<strong>antastic community of business owners is second to none</strong>. I cannot recommend Paul Green and the Business Community highly enough.</p>

BusComm offers structured yet relaxed and friendly networking, but it's so much more than that; the support of fellow businesses is fantastic, through good times they are there to cheer you on and during the more difficult times they are there to offer invaluable practical support. This fantastic community of business owners is second to none. I cannot recommend Paul Green and the Business Community highly enough.

Wendy Tate - Bean Counters

<p>Thank you Paul for allowing me to be part of BusComm, I always look forward to the meetings, they are <strong>very friendly and helpful</strong> and there always seems to be a <strong>really good supply of support and advice</strong> if we need it! I have been a member now for several months and find it an <strong>excellent networking group for referrals</strong> and future business!</p>

Thank you Paul for allowing me to be part of BusComm, I always look forward to the meetings, they are very friendly and helpful and there always seems to be a really good supply of support and advice if we need it! I have been a member now for several months and find it an excellent networking group for referrals and future business!

Caroline Haylor - Red Pepper Catering