Startup Grants and Loans

[AntonMorris]

hey.
Ive been looking at starting up a new company and i need to secure around £5,000 - £7,000.
Ive heard that their are some places out their that provide grants and the like for new startups, ive heard also that the goverment can provide such grants.
So id just like to know if anybody knew of any information that would be helpfull, ive had a look around on the internet but so far i havnt come up with anything of interest.

It may be of help for you to know that i live south wales.

thanks, Anton

[Indizine]

Grant funding varies region to region so you should start with your nearest Business Link and Enterprise Agency. There is also a website www.j4b.co.uk where you can source grants and loans.

[SSD]

You could always try the Princes Trust - I know they have seriously cut back on the amount of grants they give now but worth a shot.

[Indizine]

if anton is unemployed and aged 18-30 he can look into PT for a loan. Grants (of maybe £250 or £500) are limited to real cases of hardship nowadays.

[AdviceChimp]

Hi, I found "smallbusiness" useful before - has some good info on all aspects of starting up a small business (as the name suggests )

[profitxchange]

You will spend too much time looking for grants that arn't there. The application process will take as long as writing your business plan. Finally there is virtually no funding anyway. Try your local Business link/enterprise agency - they will know. Family & freinds are the best source could also try SFLG scheme but thats for upto £250k

[Indizine]

Disagree with some of what profitexhange has said. Having delivered millions of pounds of BL and other contracts and funding, I can say F & F are not the best source because unless they have done it they wont know about it.

There is funding around but as I explained its limited to certain types of people or areas, by criteria.

I usd to put it like this, "so you're applying for £2k of funding and it will take you 4 hrs to do a business plan - where else can you potentially get £500/Hr?"

People spend an hour writing job application for £10 an hour or even just £5.50 an hour with the prospect of not getting the job if they fail the criteria, so what's the difference?

If you want or need it, you look for it, and If you think you have a chance, you should apply. I approved an average half a million pounds a year in funding just for our area alone. This bought stuff from computers, printing, business rent, stock, tools, vehicles, licences, websites, graphic design, consultancy, legal documents, software, ....the list goes on.

[Steven123]

agency funding can be there, but whether you can realistically achieve funding you require depends on a number of factors, not least your region's economic priorities and how your business fits with this.

[ParentsforPlay]

I have had some start up funding from my local community foundation (though as a non-profit it's probably a bit easier for me). But it might be worth a look, this is your nearest one I think:

http://www.cfiw.org.uk/

Sarah

[Miskellaneous]

I made an appointment with business link and the PT. Got a part loan, part grant from PT but that was over 2 years ago so it may of changed. Its well worth making an appointment with Business Link tho, they are v helpful.