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Start-up funding

There are different funding options to consider for your business, depending on your circumstances. 

On this page there are some suggestions to help you find out more about what support you can access and what might be right for you or you may want to consider crowdfunding or angel investment. 

Business Start-Up Loans

Start Up Loans

The British Bank can provide loans between £500 to £25,000 to help start or grow your business. This is an unsecured personal loan not linked to your business. You can also get free support and guidance to help write your business plan, and successful applicants can get up to 12 months of free mentoring.

Find out how to apply for start up loans.

Prince's Trust Free Enterprise Programme

This is for 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK who want to start their own business. There are 4-stages to the programme, including a 4-day workshop, business planning and idea testing with help of a mentor and a business launch stage with access to a low interest business loan of £5,000.

Find out more on the Princes Trust website or contact Samuel Steel, Partnerships Manager:

High Street Banks

You can check the latest loan facilities with high street banks such as:

First Enterprise Business Agency

Offering a range of funding opportunities for businesses with finance between £3,000 and £250,000 for start-up and existing businesses looking to grow. These funds are all designed to ‘plug gaps’ in High-Street lending and are backed by the Government to help businesses and individuals who might not otherwise be able to access business finance. First Enterprise also provide loans from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund Small Business Loans fund.

Find out more on the First Enterprise Business Agency website or contact Sukveer Chirrimar, Fund Manager:

Business Start-Up Grants

Grant for New Business

Nottinghamshire Business Ventures (NVB) can provide up to 25% of agreed project costs up to a maximum of £2,500, however you must be registered with company’s house and be trading B2B.

Find out more on the NVB website or contact Glen Starbuck, NBV Business Advisor:

Government-backed Start-Up loans

Government-backed Start-Up Loans of £500 to £25,000 are available to start or grow your business. Unlike a business loan, this is an unsecured personal loan.

Free support and guidance is available to help write your business plan, and successful applicants can get up to 12 months of free mentoring.

Find out more on the Start-Up Loans website.

First Enterprise Business Agency

First Enterprise Business Agency provide support to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic minority communities. This service is not exclusive and everyone is welcome.

They can provide loans of between £3,000 and £250,000 but they also offer business support services helping with procurement, office space, virtual services and ‘hot desking’.

Find out more on the First Enterprise Business Agency website. 

The British Business Bank

The British Business Bank is a Government-owned business development bank dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses. They will support early start-up companies that are less than 2-years old, or who are looking to scale up, or just need to stay ahead.

They often work through local partner companies such as the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and Nottingham Business Ventures.

Find out more on the The British Business Bank website or contact Lewis Stringer, Senior Relationship Manager at British Bank

Nottingham Business Ventures (NBV)

NBV is a business support provider and they have some grants that can provide between up to 25% of project costs to a maximum of £2,500, however you must be registered with Companies House and be trading B2B.

This grant can be used to purchase services or equipment as part of business growth needs but there are certain restrictions so please check the criteria’s carefully.

The minimum project spend is £4,000 and you will receive a £1,000 grant, so to get £2,500 you need to spend £10,000.

For more information contact Gina by:

Prince's Trust

The Prince’s Trust works with 18- to 30-year-olds living in the UK, including support for Start-Ups.

Food and Drink Forum

Can offer a range of free support services to help food and drink manufacturers of all sizes.

Grants of up to 25% of project costs for capital projects only, minimum projects £4,000 to a maximum £200,000. They also provide 12-hours free technical advice and access to events.

Find out more on the The Food and Drink Forum website or contact Trudi Davison. 

Ways to contact business support

The best way to contact us is through our online form so we have the right information to help you as quickly as possible. Contact us by: 

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