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 has been <strong>extremely helpful to my business</strong>. The <strong>meetings are well run</strong> - they have<strong> a well-defined structure</strong>, but have a <strong>good mix of formality and informality</strong>. I enjoy meeting other members, have made some <strong>good connections</strong>, got <strong>great business advice</strong> from Paul and the wider group and, last but not least, <strong>gained work whose value is several times the cost of membership</strong>.</p>

The Business Community has been extremely helpful to my business. The meetings are well run - they have a well-defined structure, but have a good mix of formality and informality. I enjoy meeting other members, have made some good connections, got great business advice from Paul and the wider group and, last but not least, gained work whose value is several times the cost of membership.

Mark Coster - Pixooma

<p>I have done lots of networking over the years, and I love The Business Community. It hits <strong>just the right mix of being structured and organised</strong> while still being a <strong>friendly and relaxed</strong> place to be. The business world would be a lonelier place without it.</p>

I have done lots of networking over the years, and I love The Business Community. It hits just the right mix of being structured and organised while still being a friendly and relaxed place to be. The business world would be a lonelier place without it.

Paul Marks - Michael Paul Accountants

<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

<p>I really enjoy the meetings, the<strong> format works well</strong> and the <strong>atmosphere is friendly</strong>, most importantly it is <strong>not too scary if you are new to networking</strong>. I have made some <strong>valuable business contacts</strong> over the last year that I would not have found had it not been for The Business Community.</p>

I really enjoy the meetings, the format works well and the atmosphere is friendly, most importantly it is not too scary if you are new to networking. I have made some valuable business contacts over the last year that I would not have found had it not been for The Business Community.

Andi Herrington - Wallis Payroll