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>1 year ago I made the decision that I needed to start Business Networking. Scary stuff! Or so I thought. Walking into the meeting room for my first meeting was quite frankly, terrifying. <strong>I really shouldn’t have worried</strong>. I was immediately taken under the wing of one of the more experienced networkers. I can count a <strong>number of BusComm members as clients</strong>, and <strong>even more who have passed work my way</strong>. It’s important to note that there is absolutely <strong>no pressure to refer</strong> – so you truly know it’s on merit. It’s a<strong> fabulous community</strong>.</p>

1 year ago I made the decision that I needed to start Business Networking. Scary stuff! Or so I thought. Walking into the meeting room for my first meeting was quite frankly, terrifying. I really shouldn’t have worried. I was immediately taken under the wing of one of the more experienced networkers. I can count a number of BusComm members as clients, and even more who have passed work my way. It’s important to note that there is absolutely no pressure to refer – so you truly know it’s on merit. It’s a fabulous community.

Hayley White - VirtuHR

<p>Since starting my business 18 months or so ago, I have gone from a networking novice to being a solid contributor through meeting and getting to know the <strong>wealth of business skills</strong>, <strong>knowledge</strong> and <strong>experience</strong> of Paul Green and the members of The Business Community. I mainly attend the Wellingborough session, but have plans to spread myself further afield in Northamptonshire during the rest of this year as membership allows this, unlike others.</p>
<p>The <strong>format of the meetings is fun</strong>, <strong>but has meaning</strong> ... and you can always be assured <strong>a friendly welcome</strong> (as I got recently when attending the Daventry session for the first time). I have made <strong>loads of good business contacts</strong> that I would have only made through The Business Community ... if you are starting or have recently started a business, book yourself on a session and find out for yourself ... breakfast is good too!</p>

Since starting my business 18 months or so ago, I have gone from a networking novice to being a solid contributor through meeting and getting to know the wealth of business skills, knowledge and experience of Paul Green and the members of The Business Community. I mainly attend the Wellingborough session, but have plans to spread myself further afield in Northamptonshire during the rest of this year as membership allows this, unlike others.

The format of the meetings is fun, but has meaning ... and you can always be assured a friendly welcome (as I got recently when attending the Daventry session for the first time). I have made loads of good business contacts that I would have only made through The Business Community ... if you are starting or have recently started a business, book yourself on a session and find out for yourself ... breakfast is good too!

Andy Sarson - APS Marketing Consulting Services

<p>I'm a long-term member of a national networking group. I've now also joined BusComm and I'm finding it a <strong>breath of fresh air</strong>. A <strong>very welcoming and supportive atmosphere</strong> where the focus seems to be about helping each other instead of sell, sell, sell. BusComm meetings don't take themselves too seriously but are still <strong>professional and informative</strong>.</p>

I'm a long-term member of a national networking group. I've now also joined BusComm and I'm finding it a breath of fresh air. A very welcoming and supportive atmosphere where the focus seems to be about helping each other instead of sell, sell, sell. BusComm meetings don't take themselves too seriously but are still professional and informative.

Paul Drake - WhiteStar

<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