There are a number of organisations who provide help and information about different grants or funding schemes that are out there to help your business, as well as providing other general advice for businesses. 

GOV.UK

The GOV.UK website [2] provides a range of information on grants, finance and loans, and business support such as mentoring, consultancy and funding for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups.

British Business Bank

The British Business Bank [3] is 100% Government owned, but independently managed, and brings expertise and Government money to the smaller business finance markets. They do not lend or invest directly. Instead, they work with over 80 partners such as banks, leasing companies and web-based platforms to make finance markets work better for small businesses in the UK.

Enterprise First

Enterprise First [4] provide businesses help with writing a business plan, securing funding and scaling, as well as general advice. The services they offer include:

• A business toolkit which offers a host of documents that are free for you to use.
• Help to apply for funding by working with Virgin Start Up Loans.
• Providing pre and post start support to businesses that have plans for growth, as a delivery partner for the Start and Grow programme.
• Free advice and mentoring sessions in Hampshire.
• Help to find a new office or workspace in your local area.

Enterprise M3 Funding Escalator

The Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership [5] has announced a new £5.5 million funding scheme [6], aimed at businesses in the early stages who have the potential of high growth and are likely to provide jobs in the area. They aim to drive the economic growth of the area by working with businesses, key delivery partners and central government.

J4B Grants

J4B Grants [7] provide information on all the latest European grants, UK Government grants and other sources of funding to help start and grow your business.

Bright Ideas Fund

Bright Ideas Fund [8] supports new community business ideas through the start up and planning stages with tailored business support, to the implementation stage with grants of up to £15,000.

Start Up Loans

A Start Up Loan [9] is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed.

Startups

Startups [10] is the UK’s leading independent, online resource for anyone starting or growing a business.

Fredericks Foundation

Fredericks Foundation [11] is open to anyone who has a viable business proposition but cannot obtain mainstream finance. Start-ups can attain a maximum of £15,000. For established businesses with a financial track record of at least three years, the maximum loan is £35,000.

GRANTfinder

GRANTfinder [12] is Europe’s leading provider of grants and policy information and has been providing support to UK organisations since 1985. It is a user-friendly, accurate, and professional funding tool, which has helped its users to facilitate the securing of millions of pounds’ worth of support.

Grants Online

With nearly 5,000 funding schemes available within the UK, there's a lot of information to keep on top of. Grants Online [13] is trusted by hundreds of organisations to keep them up to date with the latest funding opportunities. By providing up to date grant funding information, alerts and newsletters, they help businesses maximise funding potential.