Finding Finance

Business Eye
Business Eye can help you find finance for your business. Visit the website or telephone: 08457 96 97 98

DTI: Finding Finance
This online guide is designed to help you get the right advice and finance for your business.

Wales Tourist Board
WTB can provide financial assistance for capital projects. Eligible tourism businesses include hotels, self-catering apartments/cottages, restaurants, caravan and camping parks, attractions and activity centres. WTB can also assist projects that improve the tourism infrastructure of the locality.

UK Steel Enterprise Business Support in Wales
Actively supports new and growing businesses in the following seven traditional steel areas: Deeside, Llanelli, Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent, West Glamorgan, South Glamorgan, and South Gwent. Their main activities include providing the types of finance and the sort of premises which may not be available to these businesses from elsewhere.

Wales Spinout Programme
An all Wales programme to assist in the start-up of businesses that have a connection with one of the eleven Higher Education Institutions in Wales. The main elements of the support are a small (max. £25000) unsecured interest free loan, access to rent-free space for twelve months, consultancy budgets (to £5000 per company) and the mentoring by one of the programme managers - there are six based in the HEIs.

Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
The Small Business Service (SBS) Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme guarantees loans from banks and other financial institutions for small firms that have viable business proposals but who have tried and failed to get a conventional loan because of lack of security.

Finance for Small Firms Report
Published by the Bank of England, this annual report found that the small business sector as a whole finished 2001 in a reasonable financial state. The report, which is in its ninth year, also looks into policy issues which may influence the future of SME finance, including the findings of the Competition Commission, and legislation changes affecting secured lending. Two articles are also included in the Report, entitled "Finance for small businesses in deprived communities" and "The financing of university spin outs." The full 91 page report can be downloaded in pdf format.

Choosing a Bank
All of the major banks provide special services for business customers and for people who are starting a business.

British Bankers' Association
The BBA is the principle representative body for banks active in the UK, with over 300 member banks from more than 60 countries. The website provides a list of members and includes useful features on the relationship between banks and small businesses.

Business Account Finder
An information service provided by the BBA and Business Moneyfacts allows you to compare accounts, charges & services. Includes a breakdown of all business accounts that provide introductory offers & has the facility to compare the full details of two accounts side-by-side.

Bank of Scotland
Barclays Bank
HSBC Bank
Lloyds TSB Group
National Westminster Bank

Venture Capital
xenos
The Wales Business Angels network. A business introduction service which introduces investors to companies seeking additional funding. Information can be found on their web site or by phoning 01222 828614.

Wales Fund Managers Limited
Wales Fund Managers Limited was incorporated in 1994 to launch and manage The HSBC UK Enterprise Fund for Wales L.P. It can access funding from as little as £25,000 to £1,000,000 from five sources.

Investment Readiness
A new website which offers investment advice to small businesses. Through the site, businesses are able to take part in interactive questionnaires to assess their suitability for investment, prepare themselves for funding and be introduced to potential investors.

Corporate Venturing UK
Sponsored by the DTI, the objective is to provide a web based ‘shop window’, which companies looking for corporate venturing opportunities can access to locate partners matching their requirements. Most users will be corporates, small companies and their advisers. There is also strong interest from universities, research organisations, incubators, business angel investors and other providers of early stage finance.

British Venture Capital Association
A comprehensive source of information on the UK venture capital industry.

Venture Capital Database
This database contains information on over 120 funds operating in the UK.

Factoring
Factors & Discounters Association
An introduction to factoring, invoice discounting and other forms of asset-based finance. Includes an A-Z of member firms with contact details.