Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience in obtaining funding (grants not loans) for their business ventures. I hear all about this European money available and, living in a so called regeneration area, I'd be interested where to start as, to date, my enquiries (via Business Link) have given me the impression that funding is not available.

Cheers,

Dave.

Grants through the Princes trust up to the age of 30 years. Grants given and loans at low rate. Think you have to go through SENTA,I thinkit's on Earl Street,Sheffield

SENTA are based on Savile Street up near the Wicker opposite YES Car Credit place. Their business advisors can help you with starting a business and it's all free of charge. Their number is 0114 281 4621 or visit www.senta.co.uk - good luck.

Grants from the European Fund are only available to train existing staff of already established companies.
It's not actually there to fund start ups of businesses.

The only way funding would be available (IIRC) is if the industry you're starting your business is under represented in Sheffield and was a requirement to the local economy and even then you'd have to have one hell of a fool proof business plan so whoever administered the grant knew the venture wouldn't fold.

If you don't want a loan how about investors?
OK profit sharing will be required when you've got investors involved which is not like a loan (i.e. the loan has a term before it's paid off) investors take the risk that there money may get lost forever (i.e. no loan repayment) but if your business succeeds you are then stuck with the investors as a silent partner for some time.

Swings and roundabouts mate.

May I ask why you don't want a loan?

Are you confident that your business plan is sound?

Loans have to be paid back, simple as that and I didn't really want to saddle myself with debts from the word go especially if there is free money out there! It is an option of course but someone in London gave me the impression that the European union is throwing money about to new biz so that obviously raised my eyebrows when I started down this new biz route, especially in areas in need of regeneration, but you really have to wade through a lot of doors to find the sources etc. Maybe it's not that straightforward.........

Fortunately I don't need a big outlay for my new biz but thought I'd try here so see if anyone knew owt.

Thanks for all the replies, all useful, I may give these SENTA folks a ring.

Dave.

Senta in my opinion are a joke.
I would Recommend you get in touch with Richard Campos of RC business support.
He has already got £6000 of grants for my company and we have a further £100,000 applied for (these things take time!)

His number is 07917190804

I'm curious what the 'grant' you refer to actually is that you got/getting through Richard??

If you have an idea for a techie company, namely in software, mobile applications etc then I suggest you contact Sheffield Technology Parks. www.shefftechparks.com We work closely with the funding bodies in South Yorkshire and some of our clients have received a lot of funding and support.

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience in obtaining funding (grants not loans) for their business ventures. I hear all about this European money available and, living in a so called regeneration area, I'd be interested where to start as, to date, my enquiries (via Business Link) have given me the impression that funding is not available.

Cheers,

Dave.
you need to get in toutch with the princes trust
www.princestrust.org.uk
they can give out loans and grants for small businesses.i got a loan from them for £1000 and a grant for £1000.free mentoring as well.they are very good.