15-05-2008
Beat the crunch – get creative with these routes to finding funding
European Union Grants Advisor
This organisation, led by Microsoft, aims to give business start-ups a better understanding of the funding that is available for small businesses and help with how to apply for it.
Visit: the European Union Grants Advisor website to find out more.
Finance for new and growing businesses
Simply Business offers advice and comparisons on a range of providers of Factoring and Invoice Discounting services. This type of lending suits businesses that invoice clients for payment, as money is advanced from the lenders against the value of those invoices. This type of funding is useful for managing cash flow and reducing the effect of late paying customers.
Finance for start-ups in the Tees Valley and surrounding areas
Five Lamps is an organisation that was set up by members of the Tees Valley community to solve the problem of unemployment in their area. As a member of the Community Development Finance Association (CDFA) they are able to lend money to start-ups and small businesses trading up to 12 months old, who for whatever reason cannot borrow money from the high street banks.
Community Development Finance Association
The CDFA is a trade association with members that are sustainable, independent financial institutions that provide capital and support for those who wish to start a business. You can visit the website for a list of member lenders, called Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs).
A resource for finding out about grants and funding
J4bGrants is a website offering a wealth of information about European Grants, UK government grants and various other types and sources of business funding. You can search online for available grants and loans.
Find an investor the easy way
Profit Engine is a company that will help a start-up or small business to find investment. It works by loading a business idea into their database which can then be matched to appropriate investors.
Get help finding the finance in Leeds, Bradford and North Yorkshire
The Business Enterprise Fund helps businesses that have been turned down for finance by the high street banks, or those that are looking for mainstream funding. This organisation has government backing and works with other business owners to provide a support package for small businesses.
Business Link
The Business Link website has information about business plans, borrowing, grants and government finance, investors, shares and equity and financial planning, as well as covering all aspects of starting and running a business.