If you're thinking about moving or growing a business, one of the toughest challenges you'll face is securing funding for the project.
Aylesbury Vale District Council
AVDC offers a start up grant, provided a business has been trading for at least three months or is an existing business which is looking to expand in terms of employment headcount.
National Government www.bis.gov.uk
Other alternatives include national government grants, but they tend to have quite strict eligibility criteria. The best place for small businesses to find out what grants are available is www.gov.uk and grants pages. It would also be useful to look at the document below for more information.
Banks
Banks offer a small business start-up service and advice, so they're a handy port of call. Before applying for any grant, you should prepare a business plan, working out how much money you need to start and whether there is a market for what you are doing.
Chamber of Commerce www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
The Buckinghamshire Chamber of Commerce (part of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group) has re- launched the Business Advice Service in Aylesbury town centre, with the support of Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking. The Business Advice Service has been set up to help pre-start and trading businesses in the region through free one-to-one advice sessions with qualified, volunteer counsellors.
Pre- and start-up businesses interested in this re-launched service, who would like an appointment with an advisor, should contact Customer Services on 01753 870 500, or email customerservices@tvchamber.co.uk.
The Prince’s Trust www.princes-trust.org.uk
The Prince’s Trust is open to 18 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed or working fewer than 16 hours a week. In addition to business training schemes, the programme provides funding of up to £4,000 (or £5,000 for partnerships), along with support for your business idea.
European funding www.enterpriseeurope-se.eu
There's a range of funding schemes available from the EU, but it's best to consult an expert in EU funding to navigate the various schemes and determine the relevance for your business.
European Investment Bank funding www.eib.org
The EIB provides funding to SME’s through the Banking sector and is aimed at UK businesses businesses across a range of sectors. The loan term is for a minimum of 2 years and is subject to a maximum single loan value of £12.5m.
