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>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

<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>The Business Community has been <strong>extremely helpful to my business</strong>. The <strong>meetings are well run</strong> - they have<strong> a well-defined structure</strong>, but have a <strong>good mix of formality and informality</strong>. I enjoy meeting other members, have made some <strong>good connections</strong>, got <strong>great business advice</strong> from Paul and the wider group and, last but not least, <strong>gained work whose value is several times the cost of membership</strong>.</p>

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

<p>Having just started networking I realise what great opportunities there are in the local area and get to meet some <strong>very interesting people</strong> and businesses.</p>
<p>I'm very positive that given time the fruits of my effort will pay off, so keeping my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>In any case, The Business Community is a <strong>very welcoming environment</strong> and not the stuffy corporate atmosphere I used to in my past life.</p>

Having just started networking I realise what great opportunities there are in the local area and get to meet some very interesting people and businesses.

I'm very positive that given time the fruits of my effort will pay off, so keeping my fingers crossed.

In any case, The Business Community is a very welcoming environment and not the stuffy corporate atmosphere I used to in my past life.

Geraint Williams - Fourwinds Photography Services