Are there any business start up grants available

polpoo

I am planning to start a new business designing, supplying and installing kitchens. I have premises, insurance, software and an agency for a German kitchen. I was just wondering if anyone out there has any experience of setting up a new business and what kind of help/assistance or funding are available and how do I go about finding them. It would also be good to learn about any drawbacks or pitfalls that I might encounter.
I am based in Belfast

yorkie98

I would start with Invest NI, even if they can't help with grants etc, they can offer lots of advice/support and certainly point you in the right direction.

polpoo

Hi Yorkie
Thanks - I will give them a go and report back.

Milko

All grants for new businesses stopped in 2009 ... I know because I set mine up in 2010 & got very little "help" but plenty of advice and absolutely no money, funding, low interest loans etc...

smokiewater

I would agree, try InvestNI - but also agree that there is very little in the way of funding around at the minute.

But it is worth doing the start a business programme and talking to Invest, we have been clients of invest for a few years now, and the information and opportunities available through them often outweigh the funding, if that makes sense

cdog

Work on your business plan. Make sure it is solid and you know it inside out. If you don't have a business plan research it on-line (it's easier than you may think) Before anyone will invest or loan you money you need a clear, well thought out and structured plan showing how you will be making money from your business going forward.

But definitely try InvestNI as has been previously suggested. They offer lots of useful advice in all areas, the advisor's are generally very approachable and helpful. InvestNI are very interested in companies that promote business from other countries of the world, so use the fact you have German ties in your company already to your advantage. Also, ask for access to their extensive library (you need to book an appointment for this) - the library may not contain much in terms of your specific business but there should be lots of useful documents to help with the legal end of things (perhaps even some finance).

Other sources I suppose could be -
Family & Friends?
The Bank (You will need a business plan for this)
Business "Angels" and investors (Toughest to get a hold of but they are definitely out there)

It's great to hear of new business ventures springing up in Northern Ireland. So well done for acknowledging you need help in certain areas and good luck with it.

MSE should also be a good source of knowledge.

A.L.D.A

Milko wrote: »

All grants for new businesses stopped in 2009 ... I know because I set mine up in 2010 & got very little "help" but plenty of advice and absolutely no money, funding, low interest loans etc...

In addition the grants for energy conservation seem a lot better, more coherent, elsewhere. Here we seem to have so many employed to give advice, but no substantial aid of any kind. Indeed most businesses pay disgraceful levels of rates and get what in return? Don't even get their bins collected! I think it tells you where our priorities lie and perhaps is a fair indication as to why the commercial base of NI is so poor.

I would be very interest to get any feed back on any grants available, not advice, not business liaison officers, but real substantial aid, loan support or similar. I have clients who may benefit and who in turn may create employment.