Business Link South West - Business Link provides advice and information on finance and grants across the South West.  There is also a Grants and Support Directory tool on their website that allows users to search for potential sources of finance and support relating to their specific need.

Credit unions - A credit union is a non-profit financial institution that is owned and operated entirely by its members.  First Dorset Credit Union (FiDo) provides financial services for people living or working in West Dorset or Weymouth and Portland.  This includes providing loans to small businesses.

DCC External Funding - The External Funding Team can provide advice and guidance as well as links to a range of services.  There is also an enquiry form for organisations looking to obtain funding.

High street banks - A majority of small business loans are arranged through banks and building societies.  Conventional loans will require viable business plans and usually for your business to have enough assets to offer as security.  However, for business that are unable to offer a suitable level of security there is the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme that offers lenders a government guarantee against default.  The scheme is run by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the Department for Trade and Industry).

Princes Trust - The Prince's Trust aims to help young people make their way in life through self-employment.  Financial and other assistance is targeted at disabled people and young people (aged between 18 and 30) who are unemployed or disadvantaged and who have a viable business idea.

R&D grants - Formerly known as SMART awards, the grants for research and development are sponsored by the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).  The grants are administered by the South West of England Regional Development Agency but in the first instance you should contact your local Business Link offices.

Royal British Legion - The Royal British Legion provides a small business loan scheme to provide financial assistance to ex-service people wishing to start their own business.

Shell LiveWire - The Shell LiveWire scheme offers support for young people (aged under 26) starting up in business.

South West Investment Group - The 'Phoenix Business Development Fund' is aimed at new and small businesses in the region that have been trading for less than 12 months and do not have access to traditional sources of finance.  There is also a 'Women into Business Fund' that provides funding for small businesses owned by women, or where the lead applicant is a woman.

Wessex Reinvestment Trust - Wessex Reinvestment Trust provides business loans to people in Dorset who have a good business idea, but have not been able to get money from a bank.  They are especially keen to lend to social enterprises.

If you are aware of any other sources of finance for Dorset businesses, please contact us below:

• Senior Economic Development Officer
  Name: Helen Heanes
  Email: h.e.heanes@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224677
  Full details for Helen Heanes