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 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

<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>The Business Community is so <strong>much more than just a networking group</strong>, while the networking meetings are <strong>energising and fun</strong>, you get <strong>genuine community and support</strong> that I haven't experienced anywhere else. It's also <strong>brilliant value for money</strong>, reasonably price with <strong>extras that are very generous</strong>. I'd highly recommend.</p>

The Business Community is so much more than just a networking group, while the networking meetings are energising and fun, you get genuine community and support that I haven't experienced anywhere else. It's also brilliant value for money, reasonably price with extras that are very generous. I'd highly recommend.

Jessica Shailes - The Ideal Marketing Company