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>Networking is my primary route to market for my business. The Business Community provides a <strong>valuable part of my networking strategy</strong> and has a <strong>great welcoming</strong> and <strong>interesting forum</strong> for <strong>like-minded business professionals</strong>.</p>

Networking is my primary route to market for my business. The Business Community provides a valuable part of my networking strategy and has a great welcoming and interesting forum for like-minded business professionals.

Simon Evans - WPA

<p>Having just started networking I realise what great opportunities there are in the local area and get to meet some <strong>very interesting people</strong> and businesses.</p>
<p>I'm very positive that given time the fruits of my effort will pay off, so keeping my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>In any case, The Business Community is a <strong>very welcoming environment</strong> and not the stuffy corporate atmosphere I used to in my past life.</p>

Having just started networking I realise what great opportunities there are in the local area and get to meet some very interesting people and businesses.

I'm very positive that given time the fruits of my effort will pay off, so keeping my fingers crossed.

In any case, The Business Community is a very welcoming environment and not the stuffy corporate atmosphere I used to in my past life.

Geraint Williams - Fourwinds Photography Services

<p>Paul's BusComm networking events are <strong>very friendly and welcoming</strong>. There are a great opportunity to meet with other businesses. The support and training that is offered along with the membership is <strong>incredible and great value for money</strong>.</p>

Paul's BusComm networking events are very friendly and welcoming. There are a great opportunity to meet with other businesses. The support and training that is offered along with the membership is incredible and great value for money.

Samantha Cameron - Samantha Cameron Social

<p>BusComm is a <strong>great group of friendly business people</strong> offering a chance to expand your networking across different counties. You also benefit from a <strong>wealth of business knowledge</strong> which you can call upon to help with any issues you may need to overcome. Paul promotes your company as well as you as an individual within the group and externally. It's all automated and a <strong>no pressure approach</strong>.</p>

BusComm is a great group of friendly business people offering a chance to expand your networking across different counties. You also benefit from a wealth of business knowledge which you can call upon to help with any issues you may need to overcome. Paul promotes your company as well as you as an individual within the group and externally. It's all automated and a no pressure approach.

Simon Philp - TEC Fire & Security