Finance and support

 

 

Support across Devon

Business Link

Business support, information and advice for all businesses. From October 2011 this is now delivered via a comprehensive website and a national helpline service:

  • An improved national Business Link website with essential information, support and services for your business.
  • A new addition is a ‘growth and improvement’ service full of information you need to make your business work better and achieve growth objectives.
  • For start up businesses the Business Link website will have a new area called ‘My New Business’ providing tailored information and training to guide people through the process
  • A search service for public sector procurement opportunities at www.businesslink.gov.uk/contractsfinder.
  • A national mentoring network www.mentorsme.co.uk that puts your business in touch with mentoring organisations across the UK.
  • Website: Business Link
  • Contact: 0845 600 9 006

 

Crowdcube Funding

Exeter-based Crowdcube offers a new way for businesses to raise funding by facilitating crowdfunding via micro-payments.

  • Offers entrepreneurs and business pioneers a new way to raise business finance.
  • Enables investors to invest smaller amounts of cash in exchange for rewards and a stake in ther business.
  •  Crowdfunding has been made much easier by the internet, online micro-payment systems and social networking.
  • Crowdfunding can not only be used to raise money but also gain feedback and publicise an idea, project or business.
  • Website: Crowdcube

 

Devon Business Angels

Assitance for existing small companies wanting to expand:

 

Enterprise Europe Network South West

Provides high quality advice and practical support to businesses throughout Devon and the South West in relation to Europe, the Single Market and further afield. Excellent links in over 40 countries including the whole of Europe, China, Korea, Chile, Israel, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Egypt and more.

  • Advice and support in tackling the challenges of doing business in the Single Market, helping with EU regulations and issues, and introducing your business to relevant EU policies and programmes.
  • Hands-on help with R&D and innovation challenges – identifying and solving difficulties with innovation, technology and related issues and opportunities.
  • Guidance and support for firms wishing to understand the opportunities provided by EU funded programmes such as the R&D Framework, including help with the development of project ideas and proposals.
  • Website: http://www.enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk
  • Contact: 01275 370 997 | info@enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk

 

Grant for Business Investment

Grant for Business Investment offers grant support for sustainable business investment and job creation projects.

  • The scheme focuses support on high-quality, innovative, knowledge-based projects that lead to long-term improvements in productivity, skills and employment.
  • The majority of jobs created are expected to be at NVQ Level 2 and above.
  • Projects such as launching a new business, expanding existing companies, introducing new technology into manufacturing, or taking a new product from its early stages all the way through to production will be eligible for support.
  • Website: CLG
  • Paul Wilson | 0303 444 6577 | paul.wilson@communities.gsi.gov.uk
  • Richard Hoskin | 0303 444 6576 | richard.hoskin@communities.gsi.gov.uk

 

Growth South West

If your business can demonstrate ambition, innovation and high growth potential, Business West now offers three high impact business growth services to drive your success – and as they’re funded by European Region Development Fund, there is no charge.

  • Coaching for High Growth offers structured and focused coaching support, helping companies to build upon their own capabilities to achieve accelerated growth.
  • Available to businesses with a turnover of £1m plus.
  • Coaching for High Growth provides an independent business coach to work alongside the senior management team, supporting strategic decision-making, organisational development and management capability.
  • Three programmes available: Starting a High Growth Business; Coaching for High Growth; and Understanding Finance for Business.
  • Website: Growth South West

 

 iNets South West

iNets South West provides business support and advice to five specific sectors of the economy: Aerospace and Advanced Engineering, Biomedical, Creative Industries, Environmental and Microelectronics.

  • iNets South West is supported by £13 million of funding.
  • It works to strengthen and connect existing networks, nurture innovation and find new opportunities for businesses.
  • Website & contact: http://www.inets-sw.co.uk/

 

Manufacturing Advice Service

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) provides companies, whatever their size, with practical support on all aspects of manufacturing and offer direct access to manufacturing experts with a proven track record. Subsidised consultancy assistance is available where it is needed.

  • FREE helpdesk and research service – A quick query service. Our experts will be happy to answer questions on a wide range of technical issues or could spend up to 2 hours researching your problem. Call now on Tel: 0845 658 9600 or email: advice@mymas.org
  • Manufacturing Review FREE to SME manufacturers – our experienced manufacturing advisors will carry out a hands-on assessment and diagnostic of your business that will highlight areas of opportunity or action you can take to improve operational performance. All initial advice relating to this is also free of charge.
  •  Events – training and networking events to help improve awareness and skills related to manufacturing issues and best practice.
  • Subsidised Consultancy Support for SMEs – MAS can provide up to 50% of the cost of an expert to help you improve your business.
  • Signposting and Referral – for non-manufacturing queries, such as human resources, legal or environmental issues, MAS works closely with a range of organisations to ensure manufacturers have access to a full range of business support services.
  • Website: Manudacturing Advisory Service

 

MentorsMe

Government initiative that aims to connect companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth.

  • Provides a searchable directory of mentoring support available in different parts of the country
  • Website: http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/

 

Prince’s Trust

If you are young, unemployed, struggled at school, have been in trouble with the law, or have been in care, the Prince’s Trust can provide support in a number of ways.

  • Courses for 16-25 year olds, working on motivation, skills and experience. They help individuals get their lives on track.
  • Grants are available if you want to get a job or get on a course, but need some money to do so.Grants are also available if you want to start a community project. A Development Award or a Community Cash Award could help if you are aged 14-25.
  • The Prince’s Trust supports unemployed young people aged 18-30 to work out if their business ideas are viable and whether self-employment is right for them.
  • Website: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/in_your_region/south_west.aspx

 

Social Enterprise Support Centre

The Social Enterprise Support Centre (SESC) is a small, dynamic organisation delivering support services to the social enterprise sector through our networks, events, communications, workshops and consultancy. SESC specialise in providing support in:

  • Business Planning and Strategic Development
  • Market Development
  • Tendering for Contracts
  • Marketing
  • Sales and Branding
  • SROI (SESC is the home of Selling Added Value)
  • Website: Social Enterprise Support Centre

 

South West Investment Group (SWIG)

SWIG is the largest provider of complementary loan finance to small and medium sized businesses in the South West.

 

Rural Focus

Rural Focus replaced Business Link’s Rural Service in october 2011. Rural Focus provides easy access to the advice, support and funding that today’s rural, agricultural and land based businesses need to succeed. The service gives rural businesses access to:

  • A team of Rural Advisers
  • Specialist advice for rural business in the South West
  • Access to support and funding through the Rural Development programme for England (RDPE)
  • A programme of events on a range of business support topics
  • Tailored resource efficiency advice for farmers (R4F)
  • Website: Rural Focus

 

 UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) staff are experts in helping your business grow internationally.

  • Provide expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies wishing to grow their business overseas.
  • With 2,400 staff and a presence in 96 countries, UKTI can assist you on every step of the exporting journey.
  • Whatever stage of development your business is at, UKTI can give you the support that you need to expand and prosper.
  • Website: UKTI

 

Local Support

Business Buddies

Provides experienced business mentors at no charge to eligible small businesses in areas of North Devon and Torridge.

  • A mentor will provide a high quality sounding board for all issues that arise in the business.
  • Mentoring is not a business advisory service, counselling service nor coaching service.
  • We will usually provide up to 10 mentoring sessions to a business client and would expect these would be with the same mentor although mentors are used to working in teams where appropriate to ensure you have the relevant skills and experience available to you.
  • Free workshops also available
  • For an informal discussion on the service and how it might help you achieve your business goals contact 01237 809167 or email on enquiries@businessbuddiesnd.co.uk.
  • Website: Business Buddies

Devon Business Mentors

Offers a range of business mentoring services that are provided either free of charge or on a subsidised basis to eligible businesses in some parts of Devon.

Exeter Business Support

Assistance for start-ups and existing small business.

  • Assistance for start-ups includes free one to one advice, business coaching and mentoring, opportunities to promote and market your business, all aspects of business planning, access to the Exeter Enterprise Club and full support during your pre-trading period and for a full year after you have started your business.
  • Advice and support also available for existing small businesses in the city, including a free Business Health Check to help you with growth planning, sustainability and business recovery.
  • Download: Exeter Business Support Information Sheet
  • Website: http://exeterbusinesssupport.co.uk
  • Contact: Phil Deem | 0775 2222 676 | phil.deem@exeterbusinesssupport.co.uk

Assistance for new and existing social enterprises.

 

North Devon Plus

Offers a comprehensive suite of business advice for new and developing businesses in North Devon.

 

West Devon Business Information Point (BIP)

Assitance for start-ups, small businesses and farm enterprises in West and East Devon.

  • Provides support and advice to businesses from start-up to development.
  • Runs business workshops on a range of topics.
  • Administers the new Enterprise Allowance, and associated Okehampton and Honiton Enterprise Clubs.
  • Website: http://www.bipwestdevon.biz/
  • Contact: 0800 592872 | team@bipwestdevon.biz