In these difficult financial times, businesses are doing all they can to identify new sources of funding to boost their growth and development. Funding programmes are available to support a wide range of business activities and below we review many of the national offers available to businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Business Support
ACAS - Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Offers information, guides, videos, independent advice and training on employment law.
Website: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461
Tel: 0300 123 1100 - 8am-6pm Monday to Friday
Ask a question: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4489
UnLtd (Support for Social Entrepreneurs)
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Offers awards programmes providing funding and tailored support through mentoring, coaching, networking and peer support. Guides and resources are also available via the website.
Website: https://unltd.org.uk/
Tel: 0800 917 7113
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
HSE is a National regulator and government department that suppots employers, businesses and employees in meeting their responsibilities in staying safe and well at work. Regulated under the Health & Safety at Work act 1974.
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/
Online contact form: HSE do not give telephone advice on health & safety issues. For specific questions on applying health and safety law in your workplace that haven't been answered by the HSE website, complete the online enquiry form. If you are unable to fill in the form yourself, you can call 0300 003 1747 during office hours and a call handler will complete the form for you. You will then receive a response to your enquiry within 30 days.
Food Standards Agency
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK. It works with local authorities to enforce food safety regulations and has staff who work in UK meat plants to check that the requirements of the regulations are being met. It also commissions research related to food safety
The FSA is concerned with the whole food industry – from farming, food production and distribution, to retail and catering. It addresses food safety issues at every stage of the chain, providing information and guidance on best practice and legal requirements.
Website: http://www.food.gov.uk/
Tel:020 7276 8829 - general helpline
E-mail: [email protected]
Inspire2Enterprise
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Provides free-to-access specialist support, information and advice from starting up to growing your social enterprise. Initial support is delivered via telephone, e-mail and online. Free services are supplemented by optional face-to-face advice, coaching, mentoring and training. Charges apply for some services.
Website: http://inspire2enterprise.org/
Tel: 0844 9800 760
E-mail: [email protected]
Tech Nation
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Tech Nation aims to make the UK the best place to imagine, start and grow a digital business. Its mission is to empower ambitious tech entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge and connections; to build a UK economy fit for the next generation.
It helps start-ups compete globally to bring jobs, skills and higher productivity to the UK and build an economy that’s fit for the future.
Website: https://technation.io/
E-mail: [email protected]
WRAP - Waste Resource Action Plan
Who: Pre-start; start-up, established businesses and individuals.
WRAP works with businesses and individuals to help them reduce waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way. They offer sources of funding, online information, tools, and a voluntary agreement to support this sector in reducing waste and recycling more.
Website: http://www.wrap.org.uk
Online contact form: http://www.wrap.org.uk/help/contact
NCSC - National Cyber Security Centre
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
The NCSC acts as a bridge between industry and government, providing a unified source of advice, guidance and support on cyber security, including the management of cyber security incidents. Their vision is to help make the UK the safest place to live and do business online.
Website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/
Online contact form: https://live.ncsc.gov.uk/contact - for general enquiries
Tel: 0300 020 0964 - for urgent enquiries
Tel: 0300 123 2040 - Action Fraud - if you have been a victim of cyber crime
Visit Britain/England - Business Advice Hub
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Guide to legislation and licenses for accommodation providers in England. Free online marketing toolkit, best practice tips from successful operators and practical advice from case-study led features.
Website: https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice-hub
Mentorsme
Who: Start-up; established.
An online service for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that allows your business to search for mentoring services according to the stage of your business offering both free and paid for mentoring support.
Website: http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/
National Apprenticeship Service
Who: Start-up; established.
Supports the delivery of apprenticeships and traineeships in England. Has a dedicated helpline that offers free support to employers. Employers can advertise vacancies, and potential apprentices or trainees can apply for positions. Also offer guidance on funding options.
You can also search for an apprenticeship training scheme and provider in your area via the tool below:
Find apprenticeship training tool: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Website: https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships
Tel: 08000 150 600 - Employer Helpline
E-mail: [email protected]
Online contact form: https://sfacontactforms.azurewebsites.net/employer-enquiry
Small Business Commissioner – SBC
Who: Start-up; established.
Supports small businesses (under 50 employees) with complaints in relation to payments from larger businesses.
Website: https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/
Tel: 0121 695 7770
E-mail: [email protected]
ECJU - Export Control Joint Unit (incl. SPIRE)
Who: Start-up; established.
Part of the Department for International Trade, the ECJU are responsible for the control of the exporting of 'strategic' goods which require a license (dual-use goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes and radioactive sources). It aims to help UK businesses export responsibly and within the law. Their licensing process asks what is being exported, to where and for whom. GOV.UK provides information about the UK Strategic Export Control Lists and guidance on whether or not an export licence is required. To apply for an export or trade licence for "strategic" goods, you can use SPIRE the EJU's online export licensing system. (best viewed in Google Chrome). Guidance on using SPIRE, including details of the types of licenses available and the conditions for using them, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spire-online-export-licensing-guidance. For help with the online system if you are applying for a licence Tel: 0207 215 4594 option 1 if you're having difficulties using SPIRE.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-organisation
Tel: 020 7215 4594 (select option 4 for general enquiries) The ECJU Helpline provides generalist information, redirecting calls to the relevant section(s) on GOV.UK.
E-mail: [email protected]
GREAT.gov.uk (DIT Portal for Exporters)
Who: Start-up; established.
Services available include creating a free business profile to help you to connect with international buyers, find online marketplaces, finding export opportunities, events and webinars etc. Information is also available to help you research your market, routes to market, communication with international partners, and selling overseas (on the web).
Website: https://www.great.gov.uk/
Digital Team (for website issues only): Tel: 0808 168 4202, E-mail: [email protected]
Be the Business - Productivity Leadership Group (PLG)
Who: Start-up; established.
Be the Business is a government funded initiative to boost management skills and overall productivity of businesses in the UK. It supports businesses by:
- Inspiring leaders to set goals and measure progress.
- Providing a benchmarking tool enabling businesses to measure themselves against competitors, focussing on the following 4 key areas:
The online Resource Hub provides funding information, tools, tips, and training to inspire and enable leaders across all sectors and sizes to transform their business. It also provides a Collaboration Hub, where businesses can share ideas, network and recommend local resources.
Website: https://www.bethebusiness.com/
Catapult Centres
Who: Start-up; established.
Catapult Centres are a network of world-leading centres designed to transform the UK's capability for innovation in ten specific areas and help drive future economic growth.
They are a series of physical centres where the UK's businesses, scientists and engineers work side by side on late-stage research and development - transforming high potential ideas into new products and services to generate economic growth. They:
- Allow businesses to access equipment and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach.
- In-house research and development.
- Help businesses access new funding streams and point them towards the potential of emerging technologies.
Website: https://catapult.org.uk/
Business Integrity Initiative (BII)
Who: Start-up; established. The service is available to importers, exporters and foreign investors in countries that receive official development assistance (ODA). You can also apply if your company has plans to do business with these countries in the future.
The BII provides guidance on issues such as bribery and human rights concerns to help businesses trade with, and invest in, new markets. Doing business with integrity means ensuring compliance with the UK Bribery Act and insisting local partners, agents and distributors adhere to the same high standards. It also means being checking for modern slavery and other human rights abuses, both in operations and supply chains, in line with the UK Modern Slavery Act.
Your company will need to pay a percentage of the total cost of the service. This is calculated by the size of the company:
- small companies pay 20% of the total cost
- medium-sized companies pay 40% of the total cost
Apply via the website.
E-mail: [email protected]
Arts Admin
Who: Start-up; established.
Support contemporary artists through a programme of projects, events and services (funded by the Arts Council). Specialising in work that is live, they collaborate with artists of all ages, from those with established careers to those who are new to making work.
• Offer advice, information and training (free one to one sessions, face to face, Skype, e-mail or telephone)
• Provide development opportunities, awards and sustained support
• Curate projects for and with young people
• Present and promote new work
http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/artist-development/advice-info-training
Tel: 0207 247 5102
E-mail: [email protected]
UKAS
Who: Start-up; established.
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognised by the government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. Businesses and individuals can use the search facility to search for product testing bodies by sector:
https://www.ukas.com/search-accredited-organisations/
If you are unsure what testing body to search for, you can contact 01784 429 000 or email [email protected] and speak with a technical member of staff who may be able to advise further.
HMRC – HM Revenue & Customs – The Growth Support Service
Who: If your business has a UK turnover above £10 million or at least 20 employees you can get help from HMRC during periods of growth.
The Growth Support Service helps mid-sized businesses that are experiencing certain types of growth to understand tax issues they may face and incentives or reliefs they may be able to claim. They will appoint a dedicated tax specialist to work with you (or your agent) and help you:
• understand any new tax issues and reporting requirements
• get your tax right before you file your return
• consider reporting and governance risks caused by the growth of your business
• access any financial incentives and reliefs you may be eligible for
• access other HMRC specialists, services and guidance that are relevant to you
Details of the types of growth which are eligible and how you can access the service can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-tax-as-a-growing-mid-sized-business
Business Finance
Start Up Loans
Who: Pre-start: start-up (trading for a maximum of two years).
A UK-wide, government-backed initiative providing loans for people starting a new business or have been trading less than 2 years. Loans range from £500 to £25,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6% over 1-5 years. The scheme also offers 12 months mentoring for successful loan applicants.
Eligibility: https://www.startuploans.co.uk/am-i-eligible/
Website: https://www.startuploans.co.uk/
Tel: 0344 264 2600
E-mail: [email protected]
NEA - New Enterprise Allowance
Who: Pre-start; start-up.
Provides advice and financial support in the form of a weekly allowance to unemployed people who want to start their own business.
Eligibility: You may be eligible if you or your partner get Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance or you receive Income Support and you’re a lone parent, sick or disabled.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/moving-from-benefits-to-work/starting-your-own-business
Speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach to see if you are eligible for the scheme. If you are claiming Universal Credit, you can also contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344.
Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Subsidised broadband installation for businesses who cannot access an affordable broadband service with a speed of at least 2 Mbs per second. You can check your eligibility, what services you can currently access, and apply via the website.
Closing date: Due to close 31st December 2019.
Website: http://basicbroadbandchecker.culture.gov.uk
Tel: 0207 211 6468 (customers can leave a message and someone will contact them within 48 hours)
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Offers a grant of between £500 and £2,500 to pay towards the capital costs involved in upgrading your business broadband to a Gigabit capable connection. Additional financial support may be available for SMEs in rural areas (check the website for terms and conditions).
General website: https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/
Broadband for Rural Communities web page: https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/rural/
Arts Council England
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Invests money from government and the National Lottery in arts and culture across England. This funds a wide range of activities – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, crafts to collections:
Website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/
Tel: 0161 934 4317 (enquiries team)
Funding application FAQs can be found here: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding-application-faqs
Advanced Learner Loan (19 years +)
Who: The scheme is for anyone aged 19 or over (subject to nationality or residential status).
It helps with the costs of a college or training course. The course must have started on or after 1 August 2016 and be an eligible Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 course, e.g. A Levels or graduate certificate. Information about how to apply can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
The loan, which must be paid back, doesn't depend on income and there are no credit checks.
There is also a bursary fund; you may be eligible for support from the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund for help with learning or living costs, e.g. childcare, accommodation expenses, course materials, a support assistant for learners with a disability or learning difficulty. Applications for the bursary are made directly to the college or training provider and can be applied for as soon as you have received your confirmation letter of the Advanced Learner Loan. In some cases, money from the fund may have to be paid back.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Who: High growth pre-start and start-up SMEs (potential to serve large markets)
Equity investments of between £25,000 and £750,000 for businesses focussed on science developed in laboratories, science and technology campuses and synthetic biology
Website: https://ukinnovationscienceseedfund.co.uk/
Tel: 0121 710 1990
E-mail: [email protected]
Better Business Finance
Who: Pre-start; start-up; established.
Online support to help businesses raise finance with guides mentors and Finance finder tool.
Website: www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk
Innovate UK
Who: Start-up; established.
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency and works with companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy. They do this by offering loans, grants, competitions, and access to academic resources and support via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, the Knowledge Transfer Network, and Catapult Centres.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
Funding website: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search
Tel: 0300 321 4357
E-mail: [email protected]
SEIS - Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme
Equity scheme aimed at small riskier, early stage UK companies willing to hand over equity in their business in exchange for capital funding.
Eligibility: https://www.seis.co.uk/about-seis/criteria
Website: https://www.seis.co.uk/
EIS - Enterprise Investment Scheme
Who: Start-up (over 4 months old); established (businesses trading less than 7 years from first commercial sale).
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is designed so that your company can raise money to help grow your business. It does this by offering tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in your company. Under EIS, you can receive up to £5 million each year, and a maximum of £12 million in your company’s lifetime. This also includes amounts received from other venture capital schemes.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/venture-capital-schemes-apply-for-the-enterprise-investment-scheme
The Enterprise Investment Scheme is administered in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by the Small Company Enterprise Centre (SCEC) who can give advice on the scheme.
Small Company Enterprise Centre (Admin team)
Tel: 0300 123 1083
E-mail: [email protected]
UK Export Finance
Who: Start-up; established businesses (who have at least one year's trading accounts).
The UK's government run credit agency specifically for exports.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-export-finance
Find an Export Finance Manager website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager
Music Export Growth Scheme – Round 17
Who: Start-up; established.
Offers grants from £5,000 - £50,000 to UK-registered independent music companies to assist them with marketing campaigns when looking to introduce successful UK music projects overseas. You are eligible to apply if you are a UK-based music company with a turnover of less than €50 million and fewer than 250 employees, as per the EU definition of an SME (Small to Medium Enterprise).
https://www.bpi.co.uk/news-analysis/music-export-growth-scheme/
Tel: 020 7803 1300
E-mail: [email protected]
Creative Europe
Who: Start-up; established.
Creative Europe is the European Union's programme to support the cultural, creative and audiovisual sectors. News, events, funding and calls for tenders/opportunities.
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/
Culture e-mail: [email protected]
MEDIA e-mail: [email protected]
Countryside Stewardship Scheme
Who: Start-up; established.
Countryside Stewardship provides incentives for land managers to look after their environment. It is open to all eligible farmers, woodland owners, foresters and other land managers. The scheme includes funding support for fencing, hedgerows, stone wall restoration etc.
The Countryside Stewardship grant opened on the 18 February 2019.
Higher Tier applications closed on the 3 May 2019. Mid Tier applications close on the 31 July 2019. The Wildlife offers close on the 31 July 2019. The Hedgerows and Boundaries grant closed on the 3 May 2019. The Historic building restoration grant will close on the 31 August 2019. Eligibility criteria and details of how to request application packs can be found on the website. The Woodland Creation Grant application window is now open year round.
Natural England will handle initial Countryside Stewardship enquiries:
Tel: 0300 060 3900
E-mail: [email protected]
Angel CoFund (Business Angel Co Investment Fund)
Who: Start-up; established.
A £100m fund created with a grant from the Regional Growth Fund that invests alongside business angel syndicates from across the UK. Equity investments to SMEs range from £100k to £1m. The fund is not open to direct approaches from businesses. If you are seeking investment you should first secure the interest of a business angel syndicate or network. For information on angel networks, see the UK Business Angels Association website.
UK Business Angels website: http://www.ukbusinessangelsassociation.org.uk/
E-mail: [email protected]
Angel CoFund website: http://www.angelcofund.co.uk/
E-mail: [email protected]
British Business Bank website: http://british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/angel-cofund/
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
Who: Start-up; established businesses. They also support UK Higher Education researchers and organisations. Check relevant funding schemes for eligibility criteria.
UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England and operates across the UK with a combined budget of more than £6 billion.
Businesses and academic organisations can continue to apply directly to Innovate UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/innovation-apply-for-a-funding-award
Eligible organisations and groups can find the latest funding opportunities from the research councils and Research England here: https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-opportunities/
Website: https://www.ukri.org/
Check contacts page for specific telephone numbers: https://www.ukri.org/contact/
Sport England - Small Grants
Who: Start-up: established registered not-for-profit organisations based in the UK.
Sport England is the government agency responsible for building the foundations of sporting success, by creating a community sport system of clubs, coaches, facilities and volunteers. Its purpose is to increase the number of people doing sport and activity – no matter what their background, ability or age – and they do this through a range of programmes, including grant funding for businesses, communities, sporting clubs etc.
Website: https://www.sportengland.org/funding/small-grants/
Tel: 03458 508 508
E-mail: [email protected]
British Business Bank
Who: The British Business Bank does not engage directly with individual businesses. Nor does it get involved in selecting which smaller businesses receive debt funding from the lenders it works with. Businesses need to approach the lenders themselves.
The British Business Bank does offer a Business Finance Guide, Asset Finance Guide, a Finance Hub, and a simple six-step tool that enables smaller businesses to explore and identify finance options that might work for them:
https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-your-growth/find-finance-options/
Website: http://british-business-bank.co.uk/
Data Analytics Innovation Voucher
Who: Start-up; established. Micro, small or medium-sized businesses, local authorities, charities or not-for-profit organisations.
The innovation vouchers are provided by the Business and Local Government Data Research Centre and will allow you to access up to £2,000 (excl. VAT) to work with experts from the Universities of Essex, East Anglia, Kent, and the London School of Economics.
The voucher can be used to access consultancy from university researchers to review your business' data and improve your analytics, or it can be used to upskill your staff with data analytics training. You can apply for up to two vouchers a year, for up to a maximum of three years.
Website: www.blgdataresearch.org/DAIV
Apply via the website. You are encouraged to take part in the Expressions of Interest campaign prior to submitting an application.
Home Building Fund
Who: Start-up; established. Small builders, community builders, custom builders and regeneration specialists, as well as larger builders and developers.
The Home Building Fund is a flexible source of funding administered by the Homes England on behalf of the government. The fund provides:
- Development Finance: Loan funding to meet the development costs of building homes for sale or rent. Development projects must build a minimum of 5 homes
- Infrastructure Finance: Loan funding for site preparation and the infrastructure needed to enable housing to progress and to prepare land for development.
Loans of £250,000 to £250 million are available with smaller loans considered for innovative housing solutions and serviced plots for custom builders. Typical terms are up to 5 years for development finance and up to 20 years for infrastructure loans. Interest is payable at pre-agreed variable rates.
Website: https://homebuildingfund.campaign.gov.uk/
Tel: 0300 1234 500
E-mail: [email protected]
CRACK IT Challenges
Who: Start-up; established.
The Crack-IT fund helps industry, academics and businesses interested in working together to solve business and scientific ‘challenges’. Run by the National Centre for the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) the programme enables research to meet the challenges set by the NC3RS.
The competitions run annually. Please check with the provider for the next phase.
Website: https://nc3rs.org.uk/crackit/
Tel: 020 7611 2233
E-mail: [email protected]
National Tooling Loan Fund
Who: Established (at least 2 years).
Loans from £50,000 to £2 million. Loan fund has been created to help toolmakers and component manufacturers fund the design, development and manufacture of tooling or the expansion of tooling capacity. Open to manufacturing companies seeking a loan of £50,000 to £2m, although funding requests in excess of this will be considered by exception.
Website: https://www.frontierdevelopmentcapital.com/tooling/
Tel: 0345 319 4528
E-mail: [email protected]
Momentum Music Fund
Who: Established artists/bands who must be at a crucial tipping point in their careers, showing progression and the potential to significantly develop over the next two years.
he Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5k-£15k for artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers. Activities eligible for support include recording, touring and marketing. The Fund is open to applications from artists and bands in England that are at a crucial point in their development, with the potential to significantly further their career within the next two years. Applications can be submitted by the artists themselves or those who are working on their behalf, e.g. a manager, an independent label or publisher.
Website: http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/Funding/Momentum-Music-Fund/
E-mail: [email protected]
European Space Agency (ESA)
Who: Start-up; established.
Funding, technical & business expertise, network & partnership building for businesses who are looking to develop a space-based service.
The European Space Agency aims to help businesses develop services that use Satellite communications, Earth Observation, satellite navigation or other space technologies.
Website: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises
E-mail: [email protected]
Registration form: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/How_to_do/esa-star_Registration_Process
Contact form: https://business.esa.int/contact
Fit for Nuclear
Who: Established manufacturing SMEs with 10 or more employees or with a turnover of £1.6 million and upwards.
A scheme to help businesses to get ready to bid for work in the civil nuclear supply chain.
Website: http://namrc.co.uk/services/f4n/
Tel: 0114 222 4993
E-mail: [email protected]
Fair Business Loans
Who: Established (trading a minimum of 24 months).
Loans from £10,000 to £30,000 to businesses unable to access mainstream finance
Website: http://www.fairfinance.org.uk/business-loans
Tel: 020 8988 0627
Online contact form: https://www.fairfinance.org.uk/contact-us/