I did type this out on another forum and then noticed there is a small news article about it on the Startup news page. However, if like me you very rarely read the news pages here (apologies to Startups!), here are details on funding opportunities for new/small businesses. Small businesses and startups in deprived areas will get more support through an extra £10.5m being given to an ongoing fund. This money is aimed at helping Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) which provide finance and business assistance to potential entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized firms that are unable to access conventional funding such as banks etc. The funding comes from the Small Business Service's "Phoenix Challenge Fund". CDFIs are an American idea that have been implemented over here and, whilst aimed at deprived areas, they can be aimed at underrepresented groups such as ehnic minorities and women. Further info on the Phoenix Fund and other business support from WWW.SBS.GOV.UK You can also find out about any local CDFI Naturally, I'm sure, there will be a number of hoops people have to jump through to get any source of funding, but I am sure this may benefit some people on here who may not have otherwise heard of this. Also, I never actually knew there was a "Small Business Minister" -Nigel Griffiths MP who is a Parliamentary Undersecretary at the DTI. Saying that, does it mean he is a Minister for Small Businesses or a Business Minister who is vertically challenged? We should be told! But I digress so, again, further info from www.sbs.gov.uk Marketeer marketeer@lycos.co.uk P.S. Anyone else get annoyed with those sponsored links or just me being grumpy again?!
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Marketeer
marketeer@lycos.co.uk