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>A <strong>truly supportive group</strong> of people. We network to make friends and generate business, BusComm has done both for me. I look forward to many more years of membership and recommend this group to anyone looking to <strong>develop meaningful and profitable business relationships</strong>.</p>

A truly supportive group of people. We network to make friends and generate business, BusComm has done both for me. I look forward to many more years of membership and recommend this group to anyone looking to develop meaningful and profitable business relationships.

Damien O'Dwyer - Business Growth Midlands

<p>The Business Community offers a <strong>wide range of profession</strong>s many of whom I have got to know and trust over the years. The meetings are <strong>relaxed yet informative</strong>, enabling you to 'tap into' the knowledge and experience of fellow members. I would certainly recommend The Business Community; I would say that it is <strong>probably the best network group</strong> that I have ever attended.</p>

The Business Community offers a wide range of professions many of whom I have got to know and trust over the years. The meetings are relaxed yet informative, enabling you to 'tap into' the knowledge and experience of fellow members. I would certainly recommend The Business Community; I would say that it is probably the best network group that I have ever attended.

Roger Marlow - Obsidian Financial

<p>I started my own HR business about 5 years ago and have been a member of The Business Community for almost the same length of time. Not only have I <strong>gained business</strong> from networking with the group but I've also found <strong>like-minded and supportive business owners</strong> who are always willing to listen and offer their advice. It is <strong>great value for money</strong> and I'd highly recommend giving it a go.</p>

I started my own HR business about 5 years ago and have been a member of The Business Community for almost the same length of time. Not only have I gained business from networking with the group but I've also found like-minded and supportive business owners who are always willing to listen and offer their advice. It is great value for money and I'd highly recommend giving it a go.

Sue Pardy - face2faceHR

<p>Thank you Paul for allowing me to be part of BusComm, I always look forward to the meetings, they are <strong>very friendly and helpful</strong> and there always seems to be a <strong>really good supply of support and advice</strong> if we need it! I have been a member now for several months and find it an <strong>excellent networking group for referrals</strong> and future business!</p>

Thank you Paul for allowing me to be part of BusComm, I always look forward to the meetings, they are very friendly and helpful and there always seems to be a really good supply of support and advice if we need it! I have been a member now for several months and find it an excellent networking group for referrals and future business!

Caroline Haylor - Red Pepper Catering