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>One of my <strong>favourite networking events</strong>. <strong>Good people, fun but structured meetings</strong> with useful connections being made, 1-2-1s, and a member presentation. No pressure and no scoresheets, but of course you get out what you put in and it’s all about relationship building. The additional member benefits over and above the networking itself is where the gold is.</p>

One of my favourite networking events. Good people, fun but structured meetings with useful connections being made, 1-2-1s, and a member presentation. No pressure and no scoresheets, but of course you get out what you put in and it’s all about relationship building. The additional member benefits over and above the networking itself is where the gold is.

Steven Mather - Nexa Law

<p>Buscomm and the surrounding support and structure is an <strong>extremely valuable resource</strong> and method of finding new business. The various <strong>meetings are well structured</strong> and allow people to effectively network and meet new business contacts. I would definitely recommend BusComm to any small or medium sized businesses <strong>looking to find more work</strong>.</p>

Buscomm and the surrounding support and structure is an extremely valuable resource and method of finding new business. The various meetings are well structured and allow people to effectively network and meet new business contacts. I would definitely recommend BusComm to any small or medium sized businesses looking to find more work.

Phil Barnett - PJB Photography

<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