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>This networking group is <strong>brilliant</strong> and has really <strong>helped me and my business</strong>. I would recommend this group to anyone and it is <strong>great value for money</strong>. The group is <strong>very friendly and helpful</strong> so I'd highly recommend going.</p>

This networking group is brilliant and has really helped me and my business. I would recommend this group to anyone and it is great value for money. The group is very friendly and helpful so I'd highly recommend going.

Nishi Patel - N-Accounting

<p>The Business Community is what is says on the tin - a <strong>real community of businesses</strong> from a whole range of sectors. The support the group offer each other is second to none and the networking groups are <strong>always fun and a joy to attend</strong>.</p>

The Business Community is what is says on the tin - a real community of businesses from a whole range of sectors. The support the group offer each other is second to none and the networking groups are always fun and a joy to attend.

Jamie Cochrane - PBC Business Recovery

<p>The networking sessions are always <strong>very lively and enjoyable</strong>, and I have found many of the additional <strong>training sessions invaluable</strong>. By far the biggest benefit for me however, is the<strong> feeling of community</strong>. I really enjoy coming together with others in similar situations and having the opportunity to <strong>broaden my business network</strong>. Most importantly, no matter how much life gets in the way of me being able to attend meetings, I’ve <strong>always been warmly welcomed back</strong> into the fold and almost forgotten I was ever away!</p>

The networking sessions are always very lively and enjoyable, and I have found many of the additional training sessions invaluable. By far the biggest benefit for me however, is the feeling of community. I really enjoy coming together with others in similar situations and having the opportunity to broaden my business network. Most importantly, no matter how much life gets in the way of me being able to attend meetings, I’ve always been warmly welcomed back into the fold and almost forgotten I was ever away!

Nicola Hawkins - My Aide

<p>Been a member now for several years and really value the <strong>wide range of member benefits</strong> including the free training. There is <strong>great variety in the membership</strong> profiles, the meetings are <strong>informative, collaborative and importantly fun</strong> and now having an online meeting offer means you can get even more from your membership</p>

Been a member now for several years and really value the wide range of member benefits including the free training. There is great variety in the membership profiles, the meetings are informative, collaborative and importantly fun and now having an online meeting offer means you can get even more from your membership

Jo Thurman - Personal Career Management