Latest on business finance and grants
Read our latest features and articles on business finance and grants.
Government sets out next steps for Small Business Plan
- Article
- 23 Jul 2026
Late payments and regulatory reform are the headline changes as the government issues an update on its Small Business Plan.
Trendwatch: Businesses on the move?
- Article
- 01 May 2026
Flourishing e-commerce led to a boom in pandemic-era logistics, that’s since been tempered by insular policy making and shortening supply chains. David Prosser asks if the sector will be going places this year.
Roadshow: Western promise
- Article
- 01 May 2026
Off the radar for many deal-makers, the South West boasts M&A stats that buck stuttering national trends. Rachel Willcox investigates what makes the region tick and whether its strong growth can be maintained.
Supreme Court decision highlights need to reform capital allowances
- Article
- 27 Apr 2026
ICAEW is calling on the government to deliver on a commitment made in its corporation tax roadmap to review the tax treatment of predevelopment costs for major infrastructure projects.
What will get the construction industry out of its rut?
- Article
- 23 Apr 2026
Plagued by high costs, low confidence and regulatory issues, the UK construction industry is in a slump. Could the ambitious New Towns initiative put the sector back on track?
Roadshow: Build and more will come
- Article
- 30 Mar 2026
Stark stats for deals in the North East belie a region brimming with optimism that's attracting private equity firms. But government investment in infrastructure is sorely needed, says Nicholas Neveling.
Career paths: Lessons in life science
- Article
- 30 Mar 2026
Keen to build experience as a life sciences lawyer, there was only one place to go for Nadege Serna of Taylor Wessing. She talks about life in the Cambridge ecosystem.
A busier business bank
- Article
- 30 Mar 2026
At 11 years old, the British Business Bank has a new strategic plan, more capital at its disposal, and a new statement of intent. Marc Mullen speaks to its first-ever chief investment officer, Leandros Kalisperas, about the bank’s renewed purpose.
ICAEW guides and advice
Debt for deals, Issue 67
- Helpsheets and support
- 2018
Debt for deals outlines the main features of the UK’s debt market, explores how it has developed since the start of the financial crisis in 2008 and offers guidance to corporate finance advisers and company executives on how to access the right debt finance for deals.
Business Finance Guide
- Helpsheets and support
- 2016
This independent guide draws on the expertise of partners from across the finance industry and business community to provide information on the financing options that may be available to entrepreneurs, startups and businesses at every stage of development.
Webinars
Why are female-led startups so underfunded?
- Podcast
- 02 Aug 2024
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss gender inequality in investment.
Getting SME investment back on track
- Podcast
- 28 Apr 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the obstacles and incentives to SME investment.
Exclusive
Risk management considerations for SMEs in challenging market conditions
- Webinar
- 14 Oct 2022
ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community webinar providing an in-depth overview of the SME market, the current economic conditions and challenges being faced and the specific risks SMEs are facing when starting up.
Exclusive
Top tips on growing a business
- Webinar
- 21 Sep 2022
Hear from our speakers about the different financing options available as you grow, what investors look for in a business and what should be included in your pitch deck. A ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community webinar.
Tax year end, Bounce Back Loans and cryptocurrency
- Podcast
- 23 Jun 2021
ICAEW’s Philippa Kelly and Lindsey Wicks and PwC’s Mike Jervis join host Tom Herbert to discuss the potential moving of tax year end, Bounce Back Loan repayment options, business restructuring and cryptocurrency.
eBooks
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive
Lawyer's guide to understanding hedge fund, private equity, and venture capital valuation, A
- eBook
- 2026
- Kenneth J. Pia Jr., Scott M. DeMarco, Vladimir V. Korobov, Jay E. Fishman
- American Bar Association
Provides guidance to help understand the valuation of entities that manage hedge funds and private equity funds.
Exclusive
Special considerations for private equity funds, venture capitalists and other equity providers
- eBook chapter
- 2026
- Susan Singleton
- Bloomsbury Professional
- Joint Ventures and Shareholders Agreements
A very general chapter on the types of transactions entered into by private equity funds, venture capitalists and other equity providers, as part of a guide to joint ventures and shareholders' agreements.
Exclusive
Building value: the business of venture capital
- eBook
- 2025
- Simon Barnes
- John Wiley & Sons
A guide to venture capital and how entrepreneurs and venture capitalists should engage with each other to arrive at constructive start-up investment deals.
Exclusive
Private equity and venture capital
- eBook
- 2022
- Serena Gallo, Vincenzo Verdoliva
- Springer
This book summarises the theoretical background of private equity and venture capital industry; provides and updated overview in terms of volume and trends of private equity and venture capital; and includes practical examples of valuation in the private equity and venture capital industry.
Exclusive
Valuation: measuring and managing the value of companies
- eBook
- 2020
- McKinsey & Company Inc, Tim Koller, Marc Goedhart, David Wessels
- Wiley
This latest edition has been revised and updated throughout, and includes new insights on topics such as digital, ESG (environmental, social and governance), and long-term investing, as well as fresh case studies. Clear, accessible chapters cover the fundamental principles of value creation, analyzing and forecasting performance, capital structure and dividends, valuing high-growth companies, and much more.
Exclusive
Early stage valuation: a fair value perspective
- eBook
- 2020
- Antonella Puca
- Wiley
Addresses significant developments in the valuation of early stage enterprises at fair value with emphasis on practical applications--features a broad selection of case studies of early stage valuation.
Exclusive
Business start up bundle for dummies
- eBook
- 2020
- Colin Barrow
- John Wiley & Sons
A one stop shop to all your business start-up needs! Covers everything budding entrepreneurs need to know to get their business up and running. Whether readers are just starting out, planning a new venture, setting up at home or extending a current business online, this book is all they need to succeed.
Exclusive
Digital finance: big data, start-ups, and the future of financial services
- eBook
- 2019
- Perry H. Beaumont
- Routledge
This book takes a thoughtful look at how the digital finance industry is evolving. It explains how to integrate digital finance concepts into existing traditional finance platforms and explores what successful companies are doing to maximize their opportunities in this context.
Terms of use
You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.
External resources - Funding sources
Alternative Business Funding
- Website
- Alternative Business Funding
A matchmaking service for small businesses and alternative finance providers.
British Business Bank
- Website
- British Business Bank
Government-owned Economic Development Bank, operating independently, that aims to provide improved access to financing for businesses in the UK. Site includes a finance options tool and articles on the different types of finance available for businesses.
Development Bank of Wales
- Website
- Development Bank of Wales Plc
Created by the Welsh Assembly, the DBW offers a range of flexible business finance products for companies based in Wales. Options include loans and equity, secured and unsecured.
Enterprise Europe Network
- Website
- Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network helps small businesses develop into new markets, source or license new technologies and access EU finance and funding.
European Investment Fund
- Website
- European Investment Fund
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is involved in a number of initiatives to promote regional business development.
Finance and support for your business
- Website
- GOV.UK
List of publicly-backed finance or business support schemes. With hundreds of schemes available, this is a good starting point to find out which ones you are eligible for and which suit your needs.
Good Finance
- Website
- Good Finance
A UK website aimed at charities and social enterprises. It provides information and advice on locating socially responsible sources of finance.
GrantFinder
- Website
- Idox plc
Subscription database established in 1985. Grantfinder is designed to advise business professionals on grant aid processes, from the location of funding through to completing an application. The database is searchable for location, industrial sector, purpose of grant, project cost and size of company.
Invest Northern Ireland
- Website
- Invest Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s economic development agency aims to 'support business development, attract investment and stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation'.
Scottish Enterprise
- Website
- Scottish Enterprise
Providing business advice and support for businesses in Scotland.
Start-up loans
- Website
- GOV.UK
A government funded scheme to provide loans and mentors for entrepreneurs. As well as start-up finance the scheme offers coaching to applicants to prepare for the pitch for the loan, help prepare a business plan and mentoring for a period after the loan has been received.
Terms of use
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
External resources - Associations, reports and guides
Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF)
- Website
- ACF
A membership association for trusts and foundations in the UK. The website provides information about the organisation and its membership, advice on applying for funding, and information on policy, legislation and regulations affecting charitable grant-makers.
Responsible Finance
- Website
- Responsible Finance
The trade association for community development finance institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs provide loans and support to individuals and businesses who find it difficult to access finance from the commercial banks.
SME Finance Monitor
- Website
- BDRC
Annual large-scale study of UK SMEs and their access to finance. BVA BRDC surveys 5,000 businesses every quarter about past borrowing events and future borrowing intentions.
Terms of use
ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.
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