Whether you’re thinking about setting up in business, you’re about to enter the world of ‘start-ups’, or you’re an established business owner there is help, advice and financial support available to you.  Below is a list of links to organisations and sites that will be able to advise you on applying for grants and how to go about finding funding.

Angel’s Den

“Where Entrepreneurs and Investors meet.” This website is a ‘softer’ version of the Dragon’s Den television show. Whilst they do charge for some services, there are quite a lot of free tips and ideas of where to look for funding and advice on what investors are actually looking for.

www.angelsden.co.uk

Community Development Finance Association

The CDFA Is the trade Association for Community Development Finance Institutions.  CDFI’s are sustainable, independent financial institutions that provide capital and support to enable individuals or organisations to develop and create wealth in disadvantaged communities or underserved markets.

www.cdfa.org.uk

Fredericks Foundation

They aim to help those people with nowhere else to turn realise their potential. This is achieved by providing resources to individuals in order that they may become self sustaining and to contribute to society economically. By far the most common way in which they execute this mission is by assisting individuals when starting their own businesses. They do this by providing loans, buddies and a support package.

www.fredericksfoundation.org

Funder Finder

FunderFinder is a small UK charity producing online and offline applications, mainly for grant-seekers based in the UK. Some of the things they produce do cost, however there is plenty of free advice and much of the software they sell is available through local libraries.

www.funderfinder.org.uk 

Grant Net

A free, searchable databse of funding. You have to register in order to use it, but registration is free.

www.grantnet.com

J4B Grants

On this site you can search for European and UK Government grants as well as other sources of business funding. By registering you will receive regular newsletters and updates about new grants that match your business needs. There is also a lot of step-by-step, practical advice on funding, such as how to approach it effectively and how to find out what funding is available.

www.j4bgrants.co.uk

J4B Community Funding

This site contains a list of grants and resources for the community and voluntary sector. There is also some limited information on grants for individuals.

www.j4bcommunity.co.uk

SmallBusiness.co.uk

This website offers networking opportunities, blogs, forums and advice for all small businesses.

www.smallbusiness.co.uk