Growing Places Fund
Dorset LEP are currently accepting invitations for the Growing Places Fund - for capital investments of over £250,000 which benefit the Dorset County area. For more information look at the Growing Places Fund page of our website.
Angel Investment Network
Bringing together businesses looking for investment and investors with the capital, contacts and knowledge to help them succeed.
Visit the Angel Investment Network's website
Barclays Eagle Labs Demo Directory
The demo directory provides opportunity for ambitious founders to showcase their business to a selected group of attested investors.
Visit the Barclays Eagle Labs Demo Directory website
BCP Council
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
The Economic Development team at BCP Council is available to support businesses through the UKSPF and help them to succeed with this funding allocation. The Investment Plan sets aside a budget of £2.5 million to support the local business economy in the following areas:
- start-up and growth
- exporting
- research and development and innovation
- decarbonisation and improving the natural environment
- town and district centres
- development and promotion of the visitor economy
Find out more about the BCP Council's UK Shared Prosperity Fund
If you run a charity or volunteer group in the BCP Council area there are also options for funding.
Visit the BCP business support website
British Business Bank
The British Business Bank is 100% government owned, but independently managed. It brings expertise and government money to the smaller business finance markets.
Their aim is to make finance markets work better for small businesses in the UK at all stages of their development: starting up, scaling up and staying ahead.
Visit British Business Bank's website
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.
Visit Crowdfunder UK's website
Department for Business and Trade Finance Finder Tool
A wide range of financial support is available via the Financial Support Finder provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Visit the DBT Finance Finder Tool website
Dorset Business Angels
Where talent and investors meet. Dorset Business Angels invest in start-up and early stage high-growth businesses pitched to them at an Investors’ Dinners which run four times a year.
Visit the Dorset Business Angel's website
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), with funds available until March 2025.
Funds totalling £4.4 million will support the investment priorities of:
- communities and place
- supporting local business
- people and skills
Find out more about Dorset Council's UK Shared Prosperity Fund
If you run a charity, community interest or community group there area variety of options for local and national grant funding.
Visit Dorset Council's business support website
Focused for Business
Programmes focussing on demystifying the process of, and breaking down barriers to raising investment. They have a successful track record of helping founders get investor-ready and grow their businesses.
Visit the Focused for Business website
FSE Group
The FSE Group aim to provide help and support so that your business can achieve its maximum potential. They provide business loans and equity investment from £25,000 to £5million to high growth businesses looking to expand their operations.
Across the South West, FSE Group manage a number of funds on behalf of the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund (SWIF), providing loans from £100k - £2m and equity investments up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
Visit the FSE Group's website
Innovate UK
Innovate UK offers a wide range of competitions to access grant or loan funding as part of UK Research and Innovation to drive productivity and economic growth, by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base.
Visit Innovate UK's website
South West Enterprise Fund
Business grants and support for young entrepreneurs aged 18-30.
Visit the South West Enterprise Fund website
South West Investment Group (SWIG)
SWIG Finance provides viable SMEs and start-ups with access to finance through dedicated business loan funds in the South West.
Visit South West Investment Group's website
Start Up Loans
Start or grow your own business, borrow up to £25,000, fixed interest rate of 6% per annum (per year), repay over a term of 1–5 years, 12 months of free mentoring, Government-backed.
Visit the Start Up Loans website