Small and micro business can apply for help from Crowdfund Solent 2021
SMALL and micro businesses in the Solent area are encouraged to apply for funding as the Solent LEP relaunches its crowdfunder programme.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is expanding the criteria for the 2021 Crowdfund Solent programme to help more micro and small businesses as they continue to face challenges or look for opportunities to grow.
SJ Hunt, deputy chair of the
Solent LEP, said: ‘Following the recent announcement that national restrictions are due to lift further, we are relaunching our Crowdfunder programme for micro and small businesses who may now be looking for help with their plans to grow and start to build business resilience, as well as those still in 'survival' mode.
‘With different businesses affected in different ways, our Crowdfund Solent programme is an opportunity to help small businesses who continue to face a number of challenges brought about by factors outside of their control, such as the pandemic and new trading arrangements with the EU, and who have had to adapt and evolve at pace in order to survive.’
This is the second year of the Crowdfund Solent programme. In its first year, the programme helped 84 businesses across the region in a range of sectors.
Portsmouth-based drone photography specialist, Solent Sky Services, was one such business, benefitting from £5,000 from Crowdfund Solent.
Founder Mike Woods said: ‘Unlocking the extra funding from the Solent LEP helped us survive 2020 and the coronavirus lockdowns. The crowdfunding campaign also raised awareness of Solent Sky Services - which will stand us in good stead for the future.’
Crowdfund Solent is open to micro and small businesses in the Solent area who have faced national and international challenges, and are looking for some financial support with a project to help them survive or grow. Businesses with fewer than 10 (full time equivalent) staff can apply for up to £2,000 and businesses with fewer than 50 (full time equivalent) staff can apply for up to £5,000, contributing up to 50 per cent towards the total project costs.
For more go to solentlep.org.uk/