Looking for Funding?
The current economic situation has created an environment wherby access to funds for the development of a new business or even existing businesses is now highly competitive.
Through our fund finder service we will endeavour to update this page with details of funds that are available for businesses to access across a key range of business functions. These may include training, R & D, Business Start Up, etc.
A list of the current opportunities are highlighted below:
The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity in Leicester offers interest free loans to candidates looking to start up their own business or pursue further educational interests. Further information is available via the link below:
http://www.stwcharity.co.uk/site/
Natwest Bank currently offers new businesses up to 2 years of free business banking. Find out more via their website below:
http://www.natwest.com/business.ashx
UnLtd is a charity which supports social entrepreneurs - people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better. We do this by providing a complete package of funding and support, to help these individuals make their ideas a reality. Further information available via the website:
The Harry James Riddleston Charity has been in existence since the early 1970's and was set up with the money Harry James Riddleston bequeathed to the Trust on his death. Born in Leicester in the late 1800's, Harry James Riddleston was a self-made man who founded two successful businesses in Leicester. Having begun these businesses with very little initial capital, Harry Riddleston chose to assist future entrepreneurs by establishing a charitable trust to help young people start their own businesses.
http://www.harryriddleston.org.uk/help/
Fund101 targets UK-based entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a new business and existing small companies wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level.
Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. The initial funding pool is £50,000 and this will be topped up each month with an additional £5,000. Individual grants ranging from £50 to £500 can be requested.
The grants can be used to fund miscellaneous capital costs associated with starting up a new venture and for existing small businesses to purchase equipment, promotional flyers, hardware etc, in order to boost their operations.
UK-based start-ups looking to commence trading and those who are already in business and need funding to further their enterprise may be eligible for assistance through Fund101.
To apply, entrants must complete an online application, explaining how much money they require and for what purpose. They must then raise an equivalent number of votes to the grant they are seeking - if they need £100, they must engage 100 people to vote for them online.
When the target is met, the funds will be deposited into the successful candidates' PayPal accounts. Grant recipients must agree to be profiled on the Fund101 webpage to explain how the grant has benefited their business.
http://www.enterprisenation.com/fund-101-open-again-soon/
Financial assistance is available for East Midlands-based small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the food and drink sector to help with the costs of delivering an innovation project.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the East Midlands Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham.
The iNet offers grants to small and medium-sized enterprises working in the food and drink sector or the supply chain (excluding primary producers, retailers and restaurants, unless they are looking to start manufacturing) to help them turn their innovative ideas into new business.
In 2012/13 the iNet will be offering grants designed to cover up to 40% of project costs, drawn from a fund with a total value of £100,000.
Interested companies are advised to contact the Food and Drink iNet for a preliminary discussion.
If the business is eligible to apply for funding, they will be assisted in their application by an innovation support advisor.
Applications may be made at any time until the fund has been allocated.
http://www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk/
