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>I have been a member of The Business Community for a number of years now. The <strong>unique mix of friendly banter</strong> with <strong>professional format and resources</strong> has been <strong>invaluable for my own business growth</strong>. I have made friendships, referred people and grown my client base thanks to The Business Community. I like there is <strong>no lockout, the meetings are a manageable size and no yearly contract</strong>.</p>

I have been a member of The Business Community for a number of years now. The unique mix of friendly banter with professional format and resources has been invaluable for my own business growth. I have made friendships, referred people and grown my client base thanks to The Business Community. I like there is no lockout, the meetings are a manageable size and no yearly contract.

Marie-Louise O'Neill - Lovely Evolution

<p>I’ve been a member of the Business Community for many years now. I’ve got to <strong>know & develop relationships</strong> with a wide range of business people in that time. Networking is not a quick fix but it is <strong>supportive, encouraging and mutually beneficial</strong>. If you’re looking for somewhere to grow, not only your business, but yourself then I highly recommend you come along to these groups. They are <strong>exceptional value for money</strong> too.</p>

I’ve been a member of the Business Community for many years now. I’ve got to know & develop relationships with a wide range of business people in that time. Networking is not a quick fix but it is supportive, encouraging and mutually beneficial. If you’re looking for somewhere to grow, not only your business, but yourself then I highly recommend you come along to these groups. They are exceptional value for money too.

Heather Petty - UW

<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>Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The <strong>members are incredibly supportive</strong> and Paul is always <strong>open to new ideas</strong> and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring <strong>an exemplary customer experience</strong>. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes <strong>joining a no-brainer</strong>.</p>

Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The members are incredibly supportive and Paul is always open to new ideas and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring an exemplary customer experience. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes joining a no-brainer.

Kirti Patel - Career Inspiration