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
Register for free to keep up to date with funding, government initiatives and other support for your business.
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
Start-Up Loans (includes free mentor for 12 months)
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
I have done lots of networking over the years, and I love The Business Community. It hits just the right mix of being structured and organised while still being a friendly and relaxed place to be. The business world would be a lonelier place without it.
Paul Marks - Michael Paul Accountants
The Business Community has been extremely helpful to my business. The meetings are well run - they have a well-defined structure, but have a good mix of formality and informality. I enjoy meeting other members, have made some good connections, got great business advice from Paul and the wider group and, last but not least, gained work whose value is several times the cost of membership.
Mark Coster - Pixooma
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
