The document provides information on various business support schemes and funding opportunities for UK businesses, including grants, loans, equity funding, and advice/mentoring. Contact details are given for each scheme, which are run by different government and private organizations and have differing eligibility requirements. Support includes help with start-ups, expansions, innovation projects, skills training, and accessing new markets.

1. Business support finder
You shortlisted the following support schemes for which your business may be eligible.
www.businesslink.gov.uk/businesssupportfinder
Business Support and Advice - Tewkesbury Borough
Description
The Economic Development Unit offers advice and support including:
• advice on set-up or expansion
• a signposting service for grants available from other sources
• a current vacancies list which details retail and office premises available within Tewkesbury town centre
• a comprehensive Business Directory of local suppliers and service providers
• access to local business groups
Eligibility
Available to start-up and existing businesses within the Tewkesbury area.
Contact Details
Website: www.tewkesburybc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articl eid=178
Contact: Tewkesbury Borough Council
Address: Gloucester Road
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 5TT
Tel: 01684 272 249
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2. Co-operative Research Projects
Description
This scheme encourages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack adequate research facilities to work with
organisations in the EU that have relevant facilities and capabilities. The EU contributes towards the cost of research
carried out by these organisations on behalf of SMEs.
Value
• Max amount: Discretionary
Up to 50 per cent of total costs are eligible for funding.
Eligibility
SMEs based in the UK working in collaboration with at least two partners from member or associated states of the EU.
Contact Details
Website: www.betatechnology.co.uk/research
Contact: Beta Technology Limited
Address: Barclay Court
Doncaster Carr
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN4 5HZ
Tel: 01302 322 633
Email: recep@betatechnology.co.uk
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3. Summit Group
Description
The Summit Group provides financial support in the form of venture capital for start-up and expanding businesses, in
return for at least 20 per cent voting rights and a board seat in the companies within which it invests.
Value
• Maximum amount £500,000
Eligibility
Businesses throughout the UK involved in the following sectors:
• finance
• marketing
• business services
• property services
• medical services
• energy
Evaluation
Applicants must have a creative and experienced management team.
Additional Info
Summit has a policy of not investing in retail or businesses whose customers are consumers.
Applicants should be aware that Summit does not provide loans or guarantees.
Contact Details
Website: www.summit-group.co.uk
Contact: The Summit Group Ltd
Address: 10 Cloisters House
8 Battersea Park Road
London
SW8 4BG
Tel: 020 7720 4262
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4. Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP)
Description
This scheme aims to develop best practice and increase the rate of productivity across the construction sector. Services
are tailored to specific needs of applicants and can include:
• product and processes benchmarking and recommendations
• strategy development programme
• process improvement masterclass
• supply chain and supplier development programme
• lean assessment
Eligibility
Construction businesses across the UK may apply.
Contact Details
Website: www.bre.co.uk/clip
Contact: BRE
Address: Bucknalls Lane
Watford
WD25 9XX
Tel: 01923 664 638
Email: clip@bre.co.uk
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5. Catapult Growth Fund
Description
This venture capital fund looks to make equity investments in young, developing small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) with the potential for rapid growth.
Value
• Min amount: £500,000
• Max amount: £2 million
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• have SME status
• be involved in specific industry sectors, see organisers for details
• have potential for growth and long-term sustainability
• have a well-defined business strategy and exit plan for investors
Additional Info
Contact fund administrators for further information.
Contact Details
Website: www.catapult-vm.co.uk/catapult_fund.shtm l
Contact: Catapult Venture Managers Limited
Address: 13 Narborough Wood Business Park
Desford Road
Enderby
Leicester
LE19 4XT
Tel: 0116 238 8200
Email: mail@catapult-vm.co.uk
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6. Constructionline
Description
Provides a register of over 12,500 local and national prequalified construction and construction-related services. In
addition, it offers a helpline where applications can be completed over the telephone on behalf of contractors.
Eligibility
Further details about the assessment criteria, including the various verification and assessment measures used by
Constructionline are available on the website.
Contact Details
Website: www.constructionline.co.uk/static/suppli ers/index.html
Contact: Constructionline
Address: PO Box 6441
Basingstoke
Hampshire
England
RG21 7FN
Tel: 0845 892 0313
Email: constructionline@capita.co.uk
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7. Innovation Support
Description
The scheme provides a range of support services to help businesses develop and implement innovation projects. This
includes:
• specialist knowledge
• project management experience
• a number of useful contacts
Contact Details
Website: www.betatechnology.co.uk/commercial
Contact: Beta Technology Limited
Address: Barclay Court
Doncaster Carr
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN4 5HZ
Tel: 01302 322 633
Email: recep@betatechnology.co.uk
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8. Marie Curie Actions - Human Resources and Mobility (FP7)
Description
The overall strategic objective of the Marie Curie Actions programme is to provide broad support for the development of
abundant and dynamic world class human resources in the European research system, taking into account the inherent
international dimension of research.
Value
• Max amount: Discretionary
Eligibility
Eligible participants include research institutes, universities and industry.
Applicants must be prepared to move countries, and should not be a national of the state in which they plan to move and
carry out their research.
Additional Info
The minimum number of partners can range between one and three, depending on the Marie Curie Action.
Typically projects last between two and four years.
Contact Details
Website: cordis.europa.eu/fp7/mariecurieactions/h ome_en.html
Contact: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Address: 1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET
Tel: 0870 600 6080
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9. Mobility Projects
Description
Businesses and individuals can access placement opportunities designed to assist them in enhancing selected skills.
There are two types of mobility project available:
• placements for individuals seeking to develop work skills that will allow them to become better integrated into the
workforce
• opportunities for those based in design, delivery or implementation of training to visit similar organisations and
discuss best practice
Value
• Max amount: Discretionary
Eligibility
Organisations working in the UK may apply.
There are two closing dates per year for applications; the first is at the end of February and second at the end of June.
Additional Info
Financial support is also available to assist applicants in funding their placements.
Contact Details
Website: www.leonardo.org.uk/page.asp?section=000 1000100190001&sectionTitle=Mobility
Contact: Leonardo UK National Agency (London)
Address: Vincent House
Key Place
92-93 Edward Street
Birmingham
B1 2RA
Tel: 0845 199 2929
Email: leonardo@uk.ecorys.com
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10. South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN)
Description
The South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN) specialises in helping small and medium-sized businesses find
equity finance, as well as assisting private investors in the region that are searching for investment opportunities in
businesses with growth potential.
Value
• Minimum amount: £25,000
• Maximum amount: £750,000
Eligibility
Companies which are successful in raising equity finance share certain key attributes including:
• strong growth potential
• good management skills
• a sustainable competitive advantage in their market
• provision of a product or service which offers a high value proposition to its customers
Additional Info
SWAIN is a full member of the British Business Angels Association (BBAA). The BBAA is the new National Trade
Association for the UK's Business Angel Networks and its Associates and Affiliates.
Contact Details
Website: www.swain.org.uk
Contact: South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN)
Address: Argentum
510 Bristol Business Park
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1EJ
Tel: 08700 606 560
Email: enquires@swain.org.uk
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11. Training for Existing Staff
Description
The scheme provides funds to enable businesses to help their employees gain extra qualifications, which include:
• health and safety test
• NVQ/SVQ Level 2 achievement
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 achievement
Value
• Max amount: Discretionary
Additional Info
Provides both on and off the job training.
Contact Details
Website: www.citb-constructionskills.co.uk/traini nglearning/citbgrant/grantsavailable2006 07/
Contact: CITB-ConstructionSkills
Address: Bircham Newton
Kings Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577 577
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12. Seraphim Capital
Description
The scheme provides equity funding to businesses, through all stages of the investment process from due diligence to
post investment growth.
Value
• Min amount: £500,000
• Max amount: £2 million
Eligibility
Businesses must be based in the UK, and show substantial growth potential.
Businesses must have SME status.
A significant commitment to the venture must be demonstrated, preferably through a cash investment.
Contact Details
Website: www.seraphimcapital.co.uk
Contact: Seraphim Capital
Address: 2nd Floor
Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square
London
W1J 6BD
Tel: 020 7089 2318
Email: info@seraphimcapital.co.uk
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13. Business Accommodation Support - UK
Description
The scheme provides companies with subsidised managed offices and work space for new and small businesses.
Contact Details
Website: www.cbvltd.co.uk/business-accommodation- croydon.aspx
Contact: Croydon Business Venture
Address: Acorn House
74-94 Cherry Orchard Road
Croydon
Surrey
CR0 6BA
Tel: 020 8681 8339
Email: info@cbvltd.co.uk
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14. Starting a Business - South West
Description
The government's Solutions for Business portfolio includes support through Business Link to help individuals thinking
about starting a business.
This includes free access to clear information and advice for all. It may also include free mentoring and more intensive
support for those from under-represented groups or those whose businesses are expected to grow rapidly and are in a
priority sector for the region.
Eligibility
Anyone starting a business in England is eligible for the scheme.
Additional Info
Products and services in the Solutions for Business portfolio are designed to help qualifying businesses grow and
succeed.
Contact Details
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
Contact: Business Link in the South West
Address: Great Western Business Centre
Emlyn Square
Swindon
SN1 5BP
Tel: 0845 600 9966
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15. SfB Finance for Business (FfB) - South West
Description
This Solutions for Business product offers a range of financial solutions for businesses who are unable to get help from
commercial banks and investors but have a viable business plan. Possible financial solutions include equity funds, debt
funds and loans.
Eligibility
Small and medium-sized businesses who are unable to raise all their financial needs from mainstream lenders, despite
having a viable business plan, are eligible.
Additional Info
Products and services in the Solutions for Business portfolio are designed to help qualifying businesses grow and
succeed.
Contact Details
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
Contact: Business Link in the South West
Address: Great Western Business Centre
Emlyn Square
Swindon
SN1 5BP
Tel: 0845 600 9966
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16. Be the Boss
Description
Be the Boss is a new service from the Royal British Legion with Poppyscotland aimed at supporting recent UK Service
Leavers to plan, fund and grow their own small businesses. Funded by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills (BIS), the Legion and its partner organisations will offer training in small business set-up, assistance in writing a
business plan and financial forecast, funding to assist in the launch or growth of a business, and periodic health checks
and business mentoring to applicants from across the United Kingdom.
The scheme has three main components:
• Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) on starting a business and self-employment
• financial support to assist with vocational training, help with start-up costs and growing the business
• mentoring and business healthchecks to help ensure success and growth
Value
New businesses with low to moderate start-up costs will be initially eligible for Access funding of up to £4000.
New businesses with moderate to high start-up costs will be initially eligible for Aspire funding of up to £7500.
Existing businesses that have been trading between 13-24 months will be eligible for Accelerate funding of up to £30,000.
Funding will be provided in £500 increments where 25 per cent of the total is a grant and 75 per cent is a loan.
Eligibility
The programme is open to anyone who left active service in the UK Armed Forces after 7 October 2001 and intends to
start-up or grow a small-business in the UK.
In order to be eligible for grant and loan funding, applicants must complete training in business start up or growth with
their local enterprise agency, including specialised agencies co-operating with the Legion that work with youth and
disabled people. By completing a full business start-up programme, applicants will create a business or growth plan and
financial forecast and submit a funding application to the Legion for funding support.
Additional Info
Applicants should first register on the Legion's employment and training portal, CivvyStreet (see website) and select Be
the Boss for more information and to access the online application form.
Contact Details
Website: www.civvystreet.org/tabid/5880/default.a spx/
Contact: The Royal British Legion
Address: 199 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1AA
Tel: 0800 678 5787
Email: betheboss@civvystreet.org
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17. CompeteFor
Description
Offering a particular focus on supply chain opportunities, CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching buyers with
potential suppliers.
Registering on CompeteFor will bring you closer to accessing new business opportunities relevant to your sector.
This service is delivered through a partnership between public and private sector organisations, working closely with the
London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority and other public
sector organisations.
Contact Details
Website: www.CompeteFor.com
Contact: Regional Development Agencies, led by London Development Agency
Address: 3 Whitcomb Street
London
WC2H 7HA
Tel: 0845 217 7804
Email: help@competefor.com
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18. South East Capital Alliance (SECA)
Description
The South East Capital Alliance (SECA) business angel network was established to enable private investment into quality
high growth businesses.
Investor Forums are held throughout the year and showcase between four and six companies on each occasion.
SECA works with businesses to maximise the chance of success, supporting through the entire fundraising process with
advice and assistance.
Value
Between £100,000 and £2 million of investment.
Eligibility
Businesses must be able to demonstrate a sustainable competitive advantage in a growth market through an innovative
product range and/or intellectual property rights.
Businesses can be based in any region.
Additional Info
Please see the website for further information.
Contact Details
Website: www.financesoutheast.com/businessangels/ index.aspx?id=298
Contact: Finance South East Limited
Address: Riverside House
4 Meadows Business Park
Station Approach
Blackwater, Camberley
Surrey
GU17 9AB
Tel: 0127 660 8510
Email: seca@financesoutheast.com
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