All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012 (see transition and closure section). With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current. If in doubt, please contact us directly.

Finance for business

Outside the South West Loans Fund (small loans) there are other potential sources of finance for your business:

Enterprise Capital Funds

There are a number of equity funds available through this route for funding to a maximum of £2 million. These are available if you are seeking early or development stage equity funding.

View availability of Enterprise Capital Funds through www.capitalforenterprise.gov.uk.

The South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN)

This service connects private investors, or business angels, with businesses in the region looking for equity finance.

SWAIN can be contacted through www.swain.org.uk.

South West Cleantech Co-investment Fund

This is an co-investment fund providing businesses within the Cleantech sector, which are receiving fresh equity finance from experienced new 'keystone' investors, with a potential source of additional mezzanine loan funding of between £50,00 and £100,000. For details of eligible business types and how the fund operates contact either www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest or www.swain.org.uk/CleanTech.aspx.

The South West Loans Fund

The fund can also provide larger loans of £50-£250,000 to eligible businesses with viable business plans that have been unable to raise finance from traditional sources. The fund is available by contacting Business Link who will take you through the first stage of the application process.

The Business Link service can also help connect you with the other finance sources, call
0845 600 9966 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest.

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