1. Start-up Loans
A government-backed initiative to help budding businesspeople, aged 18+, to get their ideas off the ground through loans and mentoring. The size of loan you receive will depend on your needs but the average is £5,400, with a fixed rate of interest – 6% nominal, repayable within one to five years. You have to apply through one of Start-up loans’ delivery partners who help you develop your plan. There’s a full list here.
2. School for Creative Startups
This part-time course for creative entrepreneurs runs over 12 days between September and March. You’ll learn all the skills you need to launch your creative business, have the chance to network with industry experts and be part of a showcase at the end of the year. Applications are now closed but will open again soon. Register on the site to find out when they do.
3. Shell LiveWIRE
Each monthShell LiveWIREhands out four awards of £1,000 to young people (aged between 16 and 30) who have an innovative business idea. You must be based in the UK and be a new business, so you can’t have been trading for longer than 12 months. If shortlisted, you’ll submit a short “elevator pitch” video and an online public vote will combine with the judges’ scores to decide the winners.
4. Creative Industry Finance
This is an Arts Council England programme, run by ArtCo Projects, which offers creative entrepreneurs 12 hours of free mentoring and loans of between £5,000 and £25,000. Your business must be based in Greater London or Yorkshire and Humber and have been trading for at least six months.
5. The North West Fund for Digital & Creative
This fund helps small and medium-sized enterprises in the north west of England at various stages – from start-up to expansion. You can apply for between £50,000 to £1.5million, but in return you’ll give the Fund Manager an equity share in your business. If it’s loan funding you’re after, you can apply for the North West Fund for Loans Plus.
6. The Creative Enterprise Fund
If you’re aged 15 to 22 and based in Scotland, check out the Creative Enterprise Fund. They offer awards of up to £200 for individuals and £750 for groups starting creative ventures. The next deadline for applications is Sunday 24 November 2013.
7. The Prince’s Trust
Not currently in employment, education or training? Prince Charles’s youth charityoffers a whole range of grants, loans, courses and an enterprise programme for young people aged 18-30.
8. StartUp Britain
This national campaign aims to boost entrepreneurship in the UK through events, offers, networking and pitching opportunities with retailers, including John Lewis and Sainsbury’s.
9. New Enterprise Allowance
If you’re aged over 18 and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can apply for money to start a business through the New Enterprise Allowance. You’ll get an allowance of £1,274 over 26 weeks, a volunteer business mentor and help accessing start-up loans. Ask your Jobcentre Plus advisor for more information.
10. The British Library Business & IP Centre
The Business & IP Centre at London’s most famous library offers many useful resources and workshops. You can get help with everything from business planning to copyright and marketing. Read our interview with the British Library’s Frances Taylor to find out more.
Know any other great schemes for new businesses? Tell us in a comment below!
You’ll find lots more funding opportunities in our Funding hub. For more articles, resources and opinion, visit The Business.
Image by Trey Ratcliffe, on a Creative Commons license.
