Close up of a calculator

finding finance

When it comes to business funding, it can be difficult to navigate your way around all the different types of financial support or to understand which organisations can help.

Below we have listed a selection of funding and services that can deliver them. A wide range of financial support is also available via the Financial Support Finder provided by the Department for Business & Trade. 

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

Local businesses can participate in a research project by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Behavioural Insight Team (BIT).

The project will provide your business with fully funded HR support as a part of the research. The bespoke consultancy is valued at up to £800 and can transform your business by helping you:

  • hire the right people
  • reduce staff turnover
  • increase productivity
  • avoid costly legal non-compliance

Registration is now open. To apply your business must:

  • be a Small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with 5 to 249 employees
  • have its sole or main place of business in Bournemouth, Christchurch, or Poole

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