Finding Finance

Securing funding for your business can be challenging, with many options to navigate and various organisations offering support.

To help, we've compiled a selection of funding opportunities and the services that provide them.

Access to Finance South West

A community to help businesses stay up to date on funding news and opportunities.

Angel Investment Network

Bringing together businesses looking for investment and investors with the capital, contacts and knowledge to help them succeed.

Barclays Eagle Labs Demo Directory

Provides the opportunity for ambitious founders to showcase their business to a selected group of attested investors.

BCP Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

BCP Council have been allocated funding via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for use within the BCP Council county area (excludes Dorset area).  

British Business Bank

Bringing expertise and government money to the smaller business finance markets, making finance markets work better for small businesses in the UK.  

Crowdfunder UK

Crowdfund your business - raise funds for your start-up or existing business. Whether you’re just starting out or need a little extra support, you can raise money for your business.

Department for Business and Trade Finance Finder Tool

A tool to find a wide range of financial support. 

Dorset Business Angels

A private equity investment network dedicated to connecting high-net-worth and sophisticated investors with early-stage, high-growth businesses. 

Dorset Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

Dorset Council have been allocated funding via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for use within the Dorset Council county area (excludes BCP area).  

Focused for Business

Programmes focussing on demystifying the process of and breaking down barriers to raising investment. 

FSE Group

Providing business loans and equity investment including South West Investment Fund (SWIF) from £25k to £5m to high growth businesses looking to expand their operations. 

Innovate UK

A wide range of competitions to access grant or loan funding as part of UK Research and Innovation to drive productivity and economic growth. 

South West Enterprise Fund

Business grants and support for young entrepreneurs aged 18-30.

South West Investment Fund (SWIF)

£200m fund for smaller businesses across the South West. 

South West Investment Group (SWIG)

Provides viable SMEs and start-ups with access to finance through dedicated business loan funds in the South West.

Start Up Loans

Government-backed start-up loans.