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Business finance and grants

Use our selection of guides, links, books and articles to find more information on sources of business finance.
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Latest on business finance and grants

Read our latest features and articles on business finance and grants.
How to raise finance to scale up your business
  • Article
  • 28 Apr 2025
From start-up to scale-up: understanding the expectations of lenders and funders and getting your financial ducks in a row will oil the cogs for raising finance.
ICAEW calls for infrastructure acceleration to boost growth
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2025
In its submission to the Spending Review 2025, ICAEW welcomes reforms to how public spending is managed, but says the government needs to go further and faster to deliver savings and maximise growth.
How Forvis Mazars got started with Science-Based Targets
  • Article
  • 13 Feb 2025
Senior management buy-in is an essential starting point for embarking on a net-zero pathway validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, according to the firm.
The SME view: ‘VAT needs to be an asset to the UK economy’
  • Article
  • 08 Jan 2025
The founder of a tech company and ICAEW member explains how VAT reform could make a difference for growing businesses in this country.
ICAEW outlines effective grant management for government entities
  • Article
  • 09 Dec 2024
Grant-paying government entities could save £1.9bn through effective grant management. A new ICAEW helpsheet offers advice on designing a grants assurance framework and highlights some of the main pitfalls to avoid.
What’s next for LEPs and growth hubs?
  • Article
  • 05 Aug 2024
Local enterprise partnerships’ functions were transferred to local authorities in April 2024. What role will they play now?
National Wealth Fund to unlock green and growth investment
  • Article
  • 15 Jul 2024
Fund will bring together UK Infrastructure Bank and the British Business Bank to unlock billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s green and growth industries, government says.
British Business Bank launches Recovery Loan Scheme successor
  • Article
  • 12 Jul 2024
Running until 31 March 2026, the new Growth Guarantee Scheme aims to support small businesses by offering loans of up to £2m, with 70% government-backed guarantees.
Read more

Topics in depth

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Crowdfunding
  • Hub page
Learn about the benefits and risks of crowdfunding with our selection of guides, reports, articles and books.
Science lab microscopy looking at samples
Grants and local funding
  • Hub page
Selected information resources on grants and business funding in the UK and Europe.
Teamwork groups inclusive
Peer-to-peer lending
  • Hub page
Peer-to-peer lending is a popular way for businesses to secure loans. It is most suitable for businesses which have been trading for a few years.
Hands holding plant
Venture capital and business angels
  • Hub page
Learn about financing your business through venture capital and business angels with our selection of guides, links, books and articles.
London skyline
Working capital
  • Hub page
Find out more about the benefits and risks of using your assets to finance your business. Options available include hire purchase, leasing, invoice factoring and discounting, and commercial mortgages.

ICAEW guides and advice

What to know about business and personal taxation
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2025
ICAEW's Tax Faculty has answered some key questions on issues concerning business and personal taxation.
Accessing finance in challenging times
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2025
An overview of finance options for established business under stress, considering restructuring or facing challenging times. See the potential options for organisations wanting to improve their cash position or reduce the cost of their borrowing.
Financing your start-up
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2025
When setting up a new business one of the first questions you must answer is ‘Will I need finance to set up my business?’ This might be to fit out a premises, to pay staff while they are training or to buy equipment. Many businesses start off with ‘owners equity’ – money they put into the business to fund the start-up. But when they get the business going they may need finance.
Financing a growing business
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 2025
An overview of finance options for growing businesses, highlighting which types best support different growth plans from launching new products to international expansion. Guidance includes questions to ask when considering finance options and tips on getting the most from your bank.
Access to finance special
  • Hub page
  • 2023
ICAEW Insights examines the finance options and support available to businesses, as well as the challenges they face in obtaining it.
ICAEW BAS
  • Promotional material
  • 2020
ICAEW’s Business Advice Service puts small and medium business owners in touch with both ICAEW members or regulated ICAEW member firms who can provide a free initial consultation, without obligation, to discuss any business issues the owners are facing.
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.
Exclusive Special report - Growing your business
  • Report
  • 2014
This report is primarily aimed at smaller businesses seeking to grow and develop and to achieve their full potential through practical guidance and advice.

Webinars

Exclusive Funding for business: get investment ready and explore funding options
  • Webinar
  • 13 Mar 2025
Aimed primarily at manufacturing businesses, this webinar will inform you about available commercial funding and how to get it.
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.
Disruptors, innovators, start-ups - exploring roles for accountants
  • Webinar
  • 22 Mar 2021
Considering making a move from a practice or established corporate world into a start-up, or exploring expanding your portfolio into this space? Hear insights and experience from our panel of speakers.
More webinars

Business press

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive Supporting diverse business owners
  • Article
  • 01 Nov 2024
  • Kelly Burch
Discusses the challenges faced by diverse business owners in the US, including people of colour, women, veterans and those with disabilities. Barriers such as limited access to capital are highlighted. Provides a list of resources and funding for entrepreneurs from marginalised groups in New Hampshire, including support from organisations both locally and nationally.
Exclusive Demand for trade finance is set to grow
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • Paul Golden
Over 60% of respondents to Euromoney's Trade Finance Survey 2024 anticipate an increase in use of trade financing over the next three years. The factors behind this expected rise are discussed, including the need for companies to optimise working capital and reshore projects to reduce risk and secure strategic sourcing.
Exclusive Running out of oxygen
  • Article
  • 01 Feb 2024
  • Jessica Mathews
Discusses the challenges faced by venture capital-funded start-ups, particularly unicorns, due to current market upheaval. A number of factors have made it more difficult for start-ups to sustain growth, and the lack of funding and dried-up acquisition market have also played a role in the failure of some of these. Sectors such as AI and mission-critical technologies continue to attract funding however.
Exclusive Does writing a business plan still matter for searching and obtaining external equity finance?
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2024
  • Gresa Latifi, Luca Grilli, Andrea M. Herrmann
This study suggests that writing a business plan is no longer essential for securing funding. Instead, investors increasingly rely on alternative tools to assess venture performance.
Exclusive Alternative financing in uncertain times
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2023
  • Brian Belley
Provides an overview of alternative financing options for small businesses and startups outside of traditional banks and grants. Discusses various dilutive and non-dilutive financing options and suggests the types of businesses for which they are most suitable. Written from a US perspective.
Exclusive Supply chain finance in the trenches
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2023
  • J. Stephen McNally
Former Campbell's Soup supply chain finance executive J.Stephen McNally shares stories 'from the trenches' on how CFOs and their teams can effectively collaborate with their cross-functional colleagues in supply chain management to mitigate supply chain disruption and build stronger operations.
More articles

Online magazines

Some online journal titles are available only to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. To view the full range of titles available to you, please log in.
Corporate Financier
  • Journal
  • ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty
Analysis and insight from ICAEW's Corporate Finance Faculty.

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
An economic development bank launched in 2013 to create more effective finance markets for smaller businesses in the UK.
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.
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

Environmental grants and loans
  • Website
  • Atom Content Marketing
If you are considering making your business more environmentally responsible, there are a variety of grants, loans and government-sponsored initiatives can help you. This MoneyDonut guide covers environmental support basics, finding a grant, what you can get a grant for, making the application, your financial contribution, environmental loans and environmental awards.
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.
Start up business grants
  • Website
  • Atom Content Marketing

Securing grant funding could really help your business develop and grow. This MoneyDonut guide covers grant funding - potential problems, grant schemes, identifying possible grants, applying for a business grant, writing your grant application and grant payments.

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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