Business Funding / Assistance April 2012

Advance manufacturing supply chain initiative

http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/advanced-manufacturing-supply-chain-initiative.ashx

The £125 million Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, which will open for applications from 29 March. There are two different funding Streams (£100m is available for 'Stream 1' and £25m for 'Stream 2') within this initiative and applicants will need to consider the eligibility criteria for each and which would be most appropriate to support the aims of the application.

Stream 1 has two rounds of funding with the deadline for applications of 13 June 2012 or 12 September 2012 (both deadlines are at 12 noon). Applicants for Stream 1 must choose which round they wish to enter. The deadline for applications for Stream 2 is 13 June 2012 at 12 noon. Please see Guidance for more information. A briefing day for potential applicants for both Streams of funding is on 27 April 2012.

Smart

http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/smart.ashx

Formerly known as Grant for Research and Development, Smart is available to single companies. Three types of grant are available:

• - Proof of market grant
• - Proof of concept grant
• - Development of prototype grant

Pre start-ups, start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses from all sectors across the UK may apply for the Smart programme

Small Business Rate relief

Government has now doubled small business rate relief for two and a half years. http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/2124550

2012/2013 business rates deferral scheme

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bril32012

Business Rates Information Letter (3/2012): The Business Rates Deferral Scheme and Confirmation of the 2012/13 Multiplier

Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG)

More information can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/efg

How does it work? EFG is a loan guarantee scheme designed to facilitate additional lending to viable SMEs lacking the security or proven track record for a commercial loan. It is not a replacement for commercial products and will account for 1%-2% of total lending to SMEs. The Government provides the lender with a 75% guarantee for each individual loan, subject to a cap on total claims arising from a Lender’s portfolio.

Who delivers the scheme? Accredited lenders. There are currently 45 accredited lenders, including all main UK High Street Banks. New lenders are being accredited, including Metro Bank, who will offer EFG guaranteed loans from January 2012. All lending decisions are made by the lender.

Who can apply? EFG is open to SMEs with an annual turnover of up to £25m [rising to £44m from January 2012] seeking loans between £1000 and £1m, repayable over a period of 3 months to 10 years.


Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee (ExEFG)

More information can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/ex-efg

How does it work? ExEFG facilitates the provision of short term export finance to viable SMEs which lack the security necessary to obtain such facilities commercially. As required by EU State Aid rules, the scheme operates on a commercial basis. The Government provides the lender with a 60% guarantee for each individual facility, subject to a cap on total claims rising from a lenders annual portfolio. The borrower pays an upfront 3% per annum (pro rata) premium regardless of facility utilisation or drawdown, to meet the costs of the scheme.

Who delivers the scheme? Accredited lenders, which are: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS and Santander.

Who can apply? ExEFG is open to viable SMEs with an annual turnover of up to £25m seeking short term export finance between £25,001 and £1million for terms of up to 2 years (available in increments of 3 months).


Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs)

More information can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/policies/enterprise-and-business-support/access-to-finance/enterprise-capital-funds or http://www.capitalforenterprise.gov.uk/

What are they? For many young innovative firms equity finance is the best option to reach their high growth potential but many struggle to obtain this form of finance. This is often because the relative high costs of undertaking due diligence in early stage companies, in relation to the deal size, often means that investors prefer to make larger investments in later stage companies. This disconnect is called the 'equity gap'. Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) address this market weakness.

How does it work? The ECF uses government funding alongside private sector investment to bridge this gap. Nine such funds have been launched since 2006.

Who delivers the scheme? ECFs are administered by a government-appointed fund manager Capital for Enterprise Limited (‘CfEL’). CfEL can be contacted on 0114 206 2131 or by email on info@capitalforenterprise.gov.uk.

Informationon Notion Capital fund here:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=424106&SubjectId=2

Business Angel Co-Investment Fund

More information can be found on http://www.angelcofund.co.uk/

What is it? The £50m Business Angel Co-Investment Fund aims to support angel investments into high growth potential early stage SMEs, particularly in areas worst affected by public spending cuts.

How does it work? The fund has been created with a grant from the Regional Growth Fund and is able to make initial equity investments of between £100K and £1M in to SMEs alongside syndicates of business angels (subject to geographical restrictions and upper limit of 49% of any investment round). Investment decisions will be made by the independent Investment Committee of the fund based on detailed proposals put forward by business angel syndicates.

Who delivers the scheme? The fund has been designed and established by a consortium of private and public bodies with expertise in business angel investment. It is a private sector body with clear objectives to boost the quality and quantity of business angel investing in England, and to support long-term, high quality jobs in high growth companies.

National Loan Guarantee Scheme

More info http://nationalloanguaranteescheme.co.uk/

Background : http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN06182

The scheme allows banks to raise up to £20bn of funding guaranteed by the Government, to lend directly to smaller businesses (who are more reliant on bank finance) at a lower cost than would otherwise be the case. UK businesses with a turnover of up to £50m will be eligible to benefit from the scheme.

Business Finance Partnership (BFP)

This is a new Scheme that was announced by the Government on the 29 November and will be launched soon.

How does it work? The BFP will invest an initial £1bn in loan funds, alongside private sector co-investors. These funds will then lend to mid-sized businesses, helping to diversify the channels of finance available to them. The Government will also consider options for investing through other non-bank lending channels that reach SMEs.

When will it be up and running? The Government is now engaging with relevant stakeholders on the BFP, and inviting expressions of interest from potential fund managers for the Government’s co-investment. Further details have been set out at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/business_finance_partnership.pdf.

The Government expects to commit the first funding to loan funds in spring 2012.

Who will deliver the scheme? HM Treasury will operate the BFP, making decisions about which loan funds to invest in. However, the managers of those loan funds will then make individual lending decisions. It will focus initially upon co-investment, with private sector investors, in managed funds that lend directly to UK businesses. The Government is currently inviting expressions of interest from potential fund managers for the Government’s co-investment.

Who is eligible? Businesses in the UK with a turnover of up to around £500m. The exact definition will be set early in 2012.

How will businesses benefit? The BFP will aim to both increase the supply of capital through non-bank channels and, in the longer term, to help to diversify the sources of finance available to businesses.

Enhanced Capital Allowances

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) enable a business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery. There are three schemes for ECAs:


Energy-saving plant and machinery
Low carbon dioxide emission cars and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
Water conservation plant and machinery

Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these technologies against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment.
This can deliver a helpful cash flow boost and a shortened payback period

http://etl.decc.gov.uk/

New Enterprise Allowance

On 5 October 2010 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that the Government will give extra help to unemployed people who want to start their own business, through the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).


NEA is available to Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants aged 18 and over who have been claiming for 26-weeks or more.

Participants will get access to a volunteer business mentor who will provide guidance and support as they develop their business plan and through the early months of trading. Once a claimant can demonstrate they have a viable business proposition with the potential for growth in the future, they will be able to access financial support. This will consist of:

a weekly allowance worth £1,274 over 26 weeks, paid at £65 a week for the first 13 weeks and £33 a week for a further 13 weeks, and

the facility to access a loan of up to £1,000 to help with start-up costs, subject to status.

The total package of support could be worth up to £2,274 to each participant who starts their own business.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)

This is a new Scheme that was announced by the Government on the 29 November and will be launched soon.

How does it work? SEIS will provide income tax relief of 50% for individuals who invest in shares in qualifying companies, with an annual investment limit for individuals of £100,000 and cumulative investment limit for companies of £150,000.

In addition, the Government will offer a capital gains tax holiday for investments made into the new scheme. This will provide for a capital gains tax exemption on gains realised on disposal of an asset in 2012-13 and invested through SEIS in the same year.

When will it be up and running? The seed scheme will be operational from April 2012; the CGT holiday is time-limited to the tax year 2012-13 to 2013-14.

New Enterprise Allowance (NEA)

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/

Low Carbon and ‘green’ innovation funding

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/funding/funding_ops/innovation/innovation.aspx

Enterprise nation funding (open again in May)

http://www.enterprisenation.com/fund-101-open-again-soon/


RBS and Natwest regional growth scheme http://www.natwest.com/business/products/borrowing/government-lending-support.ashx

HSBC asset finance scheme

http://www.business.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/commercial-banking/loans-and-finance/asset-finance


Big Society Capital

http://www.bigsocietycapital.com/

They enable organisations tackling social issues to grow by encouraging investments made for social as well as financial return.

Funding only available in some areas:

Homeworking Fund (North East Only)

http://www.entrust.co.uk/people/home-working-fund

The innovative £1.1 million Fund will help organisations overcome the initial cost barrier of implementing a home working operation. The Fund is open to any appropriate businesses in the region and will provide direct financial support, up to a maximum of £3,000* per FTE home worker. This comprises of up to £2,000 for skills development and up to £1,000 towards capital equipment.* The capital equipment supported will be specific computer hardware, software, associated telephony and home office furniture. This Fund will operate on a "first come, first served" basis. Interested parties are encouraged to register interest early to avoid disappointment. For more information or to request a copy of the pilot evaluation findings to date, please contact:

Sarah Belton on 0191 244 4008 Email: homeworkingfund@entrust.co.uk


Regional Growth Fund for SMEs

Some Local Enterprise Partnerships / Local Authorities have managed to access RGF monies for the local area for SMEs:

Plymouth: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=36701

Southampton: http://www.solentlep.org.uk/regional_growth_fund

Birmingham: This project is being supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. Bournville College and Birmingham Post will be making further announcements in the coming weeks. For media and general enquiries, please contact Bournville College’s Press Office on 0121 477 1385. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2012/05/04/applications-flood-in-for-birmingham-post-business-growth-fund-65233-30895298/

Liverpool: http://liverpoollep.org/opportunities/rgf.asp and http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/02/02/get-your-share-of-the-1m-liverpool-echo-business-booster-fund-to-transform-your-business-100252-30243231/

East Kent: Expansion East Kent have £35 million available in the form of 0% interest loans to invest in East Kent.  http://www.kent.gov.uk/business/business_support_centre/help_and_advice_for_businesses/local_and_national_support/expansion_east_kent.aspx


Newcastle: watch this space!


Bristol Enterprise Development Fund

http://www.bedf.co.uk/

Rural Support

Big lottery fund SOS Village fund

Aims to support rural community enterprise

http://www.villagesos.org.uk/funding

Rural Growth Networks pilots

DEFRA are supporting five rural growth network pilots Cumbria, Devon,Somerset, Durham & Northumberland, Coventry & Warwickshire and Swindon & Wiltshire

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/economy/regr-rural-growth-networks.pdf

Rural Economy Grant (REG) (DEFRA)

Provides large grants of between £25,000 and circa £1 million (no set upper limit) to enable a significant ‘game-changing’, transformational performance in farm, forestry, tourism, agri-food businesses and micro businesses in rural areas in England. Project applications will need to demonstrate that as a result of a grant their business will achieve a significant step change in performance (such as job creation, increased turnover, access to new markets etc).


http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant


DEFRA - to be launched soon:

Farm and Forestry Improvement Scheme (small grants of between £2,500 and £25,000) due spring 2012

Rural Community Broadband Fund (grants to establish Superfast Broadband in hard to reach locations) due spring 2012.


Skills and Knowledge Transfer (up to £20 million) – a flexible and locally targetable skills training programme to enable rural business growth. To be launched Autumn 2012

An additional £3m will support schemes to improve footpaths and access, skills training for new entrants to the forestry workforce, and developing tourism support building on those being piloted by a leading AONB in the South East. The timing of the launch of these initiatives is to be confirmed.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/rdpe/


The Key Fund

Key Fund provides investments from £2,500 to £150,000 to Social Enterprises based or working in the North and North Midlands.


http://www.thekeyfund.co.uk/


EU funding

Microfinance

http://ec.europa.eu/contracts_grants/microfinance_en.htm

Supporting Every Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise

http://www.gileschichestermep.org.uk/SESAME2011.pdf

Search for grants: http://ec.europa.eu/contracts_grants/index_en.htm

Also read:

BIS SME Access to Finance FAQs

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/enterprise/docs/s/10-1375-smes-access-to-finance-faqs.pdf

Skills

Apprenticeships
The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 40,000 Apprenticeship grants to smallmedium sized employers recruiting 16 to 24 year olds with a value of £1,500 to encourage new employers to take on new apprentices.


The £1,500 is in addition to the training costs of the Apprenticeship framework which are met in full for young people aged 16 to 18 and 50% for those aged 19 to 24.

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/The-Basics.aspx


Employer Ownership of Skills - Pilot


The Employer Ownership pilot offers all employers in England direct access to up to £250 million of public investment over the next two years to design and deliver their own training solutions. The pilot is jointly overseen by UKCES, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education.

http://www.ukces.org.uk/ourwork/employer-ownership

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)

Subsidised consultancy support for SME's (in manufacturing sector) to help grow the business (funding can be used to susbsidise the cost of a consultant of a company's own choosing)

http://www.mymas.org/services/subsidised-consultancy-support-for-smes





Anything Missing?  Let me know at lorna_gibbons@hotmail.com