HOW TO FIND FUNDING
This guide is brought to you by Digital Jersey and Jersey Business.
You will be asked a series of questions to assess which type(s) of funding is most appropriate for you and your venture. Please note this is an initial model, and feedback is welcomed at : info@digital.je
At the end of the process you will be given further information guiding you towards providers of the relevant type(s) of funding.
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How much cash have your sales brought in over the last 12 months (if any)?
No Sales
<£5,000
£5,000-£25,000
£25,000-£100,000
£100,000-£500,000
>£500,000
How much cash have your sales brought in over the last 12 months?
No Sales
£5,000
£5,000-£25,000
£25,000-£100,000
£100,000-£500,000
more than £500,000
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Which best describes your business?
Sales to date have grown by more than 50% per annum.
Expect sales over next 2yrs to grow at 10% to 75% per annum
???
Sales to date have grown by more than 50% per annum.
Expect sales over next 2yrs to grow more than 75% per annum
???
No sales yet or any sales to date have grown by more than 10% but less than 50% per annum.
Expect sales over next 2yrs to grow at 10% to 75% per annum
???
No sales yet or any sales to date have grown by more than 10% but less than 50% per annum.
Expect sales over next 2yrs to grow more than 75% per annum
???
Which best describes your business?
Sales grown over 50%, expect 10-75%
Sales grown over 50%, expect over 75%
Sales grown by 50% or less, expect 10-75%
Sales grown by 50% or less, expect over 75%
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Is your enterprise Not for Profit, Digital Health or Cleantech?
Yes
No
Wider Funding - Business categories
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A business plan is a written statement of the targets a company has, the reasons they are attainable and an outline of how they are going to be achieved
You must have an update-to-date and realistic Business Plan, regardless of which type of funding you may be seeking.
Before you proceed with seeking any funding you should consider contacting Jersey Business who can provide assistance with producing your plan.
Here you can find guidance for funding:
Guide to Securing an Angel Investor
Guide to Raising Equity from Private Investors
Accessing Finance
Guide to Writing a Business Plan
Template Business Plan
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You must have an update to date and realistic Business Plan, regardless of which type of funding you may be seeking.
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You should first determine if the local services you need can be provided for free, at a discounted rate or in return for a share of the business.
Consider contacting:
You will need a basic Business Plan to talk through with these providers.
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You should first determine if the local services you need can be provided for free or at a discounted rate or in return for a share of the business.
service_provider
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About 9x more funding is provided to small and medium businesses through loans compared to other sources.
Loans do not dilute your ownership of the business and can provide the easiest and least intrusive means of financing growth.
Consider contacting:
You will need a full Business Plan together with details of the security you can offer and you will need to be credit worthy.
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Secured Loan Providers
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Your answers to the Wider Funding questions appear inconsistent.
It may be that some answers suggest you are a high growth business whereas others do not.
It may also be that your business simply does not fit one of the normal profiles.
Whatever the reason, the underlying issue needs to be thought through and rationalised.
You should now consider contacting Jersey Business directly and asking for a specific business funding review so that the most appropriate funding can be identified for you.
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Your answers to the Wider Funding questions appear inconsistent.
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The Funding sources that best match your requirements are highlighted below. Alternative options that don’t match your needs can also be accessed via the arrows.
Chosen funding source:
Personal
Friends and Family
Acceleration Funding
Unsecured Loan
Angel Investors
Quasi Funds
Funds
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Of course, the easiest means of funding is to provide the money yourself.
If you are dedicated to the business then think about what you could do to raise the money on your own. However, startup businesses are inevitably higher risk and you should carefully consider the appropriate balance of risk and investment, taking financial advice if necessary.
Consider:
- Equity release (eg. mortgage) - if you own a property, could you take out a loan against that property?
- Disposal of Assets - could you sell an unneeded asset to fund your business?
- Personal Savings - can you invest your own money?
- Personal Loan - can you take out a personal loan from your bank?
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personal_funding
If you are dedicated to the business then think about what you could do to raise the money on your own.
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As well as funding the business yourself as Founder, the people who are often easiest to convince for help are your Family and Friends.
This groups is often referred to as 'FFF'.
Friends and Family will have expectations of you and your business.
Expectations
A clear strategic plan should be accessible from the Founder(s).
The Founder should have significant time and money invested into the opportunity £10,000 and 6 or more months.
The Company needs to have up to £10,000 in funds for research and development as well as proof of concepts.
Sales should be up to £100,000 per annum but it is more realistic that this is a start-up or early stage business.
There should be a team established.
Money will be expected to cover 1-2yrs so a relevant implementation plan and cash flow forecast will be needed.
Key planned milestones required could be a marketing strategy, recruitment of people, registering of IP and cash flow forecast.
Consider:
Asking members of your family to support you. Maybe they could lend you a small amount of money to get you going.
Share your project with friends. Maybe they can lend you some money or make a investment as an angel investor.
Talk to trusted colleagues/suppliers/potential customers. If they are familiar with your business sector they may be willing to support you.
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Your Funding Option : Friends and Family Funding friends_and_family
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Do you have an up-to-date Business Plan, including details of forecasted revenue and costs, ready to share with others?
Yes
No
Business Plan (including revenue and costs)
business_plan
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Expectations
A clear strategic plan should be accessible from the Founder(s).
The Founder should have significant time and money invested into the opportunity £10,000 and 6 or more months.
The Company needs to have up to £10,000 in funds for research and development as well as proof of concepts.
Sales should be up to £100,000 per annum but it is more realistic that this is a start-up or early stage business.
There should be a team established.
Money will be expected to cover 1-2yrs so a relevant implementation plan and cash flow forecast will be needed.
Key planned milestones required could be a marketing strategy, recruitment of people, registering of IP and cash flow forecast.
friends_and_family_funding
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Consider:
- Asking members of your family to support you. Maybe they could lend you a small amount of money to get you going.
- Share your project with friends. Maybe they can lend you some money or make a investment as an angel investor.
- Talk to trusted colleagues/suppliers/potential customers. If they are familiar with your business sector they may be willing to support you.
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Friends and Family Funding - Consideration friends_and_family_funding
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The level of funding that you are seeking (£50.000 - £200.000) is not well provided for in Jersey and, if other funding sources are not available, your requirements falls into a recognised “funding gap”.
This apparent gap in the funding pathway is being investigated and initiatives are in place to remedy the situation.
In the meantime, there are options to consider:
- Crowdfunding – although most UK platforms do not accept Jersey businesses.
- Unsecured loans may go up to £100,000 in exceptional circumstances.
- Some angel group networks may look at funding less than £250,000.
If none of these routes are viable then talk to Jersey Business and The Digital Hub
Crowdfunding platforms can be an excellent way to raise small amounts of individual support from a large number of people.
This method often works best when your potential backers are also your customers – a B2C business tends to be better at raising funds than a B2B business.
Crowdfunding also includes crowd lending and pre-order pledging.
Platforms and investors for crowdfunding will have expectations of you and your business.
However, Jersey Registered businesses are not usually able to access UK crowdfunding platforms.
Expectations
Your business should offer a product or service that is liked by the investor, part of a wider community supporting the venture.
A clear business plan with financial details on it and profile of the Senior Team will be required.
Also needed, will be plans in the public domain that will be exposed to external scrutiny
Crowd funders will expect a small equity stake so diligence levels may be less than for Friends & Family Funding ‘FFF’.
A return within three or more years and regular company updates will be required, looking for a 3x return.
The company needs to have reasonable professional support to provide legal documentation (i.e. agreements and share certificates).
Crowd Funding
There are no specific crowdfunding platforms in Jersey and as a locally based business you are not eligible to join most of the UK crowdfunding sites.
Despite this you can access US sites such as Kickstarter
Even if you cannot raise finance through UK crowdfunding sites, they can provide excellent practical materials for review, examples include:
Crowdcube
Seedrs
Syndicate Room
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Crowdfunding platforms can be an excellent way to raise small amounts of individual support from a large number of people.
This method often works best when your potential backers are also your customers – a B2C business tends to be better at raising funds than a B2B business.
Crowdfunding also includes crowd lending and pre-order pledging.
Platforms and investors for crowdfunding will have expectations of you and your business.
However, Jersey Registered businesses are not usually able to access UK crowdfunding platforms.
Back
Expectations
Your business should offer a product or service that is liked by the investor, part of a wider community supporting the venture.
A clear business plan with financial details on it and profile of the Senior Team will be required.
Also needed, will be plans in the public domain that will be exposed to external scrutiny
Crowd funders will expect a small equity stake so diligence levels may be less than for Friends & Family Funding ‘FFF’.
A return within three or more years and regular company updates will be required, looking for a 3x return.
The company needs to have reasonable professional support to provide legal documentation (i.e. agreements and share certificates).
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Crowd Funding - Expectations
crowd_funding
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Crowd Funding
There are no specific crowdfunding platforms in Jersey and as a locally based business you are not eligible to join most of the UK crowdfunding sites.
Despite this you can access US sites such as Kickstarter
Even if you cannot raise finance through UK crowdfunding sites, they can provide excellent practical materials for review, examples include:
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Crowd Funding -can provide excellent practical materials for review.
crowd_funding
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The Jersey Innovation Fund (
) is the main vehicle for securing government financial support for growing businesses.
JIF's website suggests it provides both loans and grants. However, to date it has only provided loans.
JIF will have expectations of you and your business.
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Jersey Innovation Fund Loan
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Expectations
Business is not a Start-up and has been in operation for 2-3yrs minimum.
Expect monies/loan to be directed towards activities linked to significantly growing the business or a significant pivot of the model.
Want detailed business plan and financial information to support the potential repayments.
Need to meet and get comfortable with Senior Team.
Look at potential benefits to the island – employment of local people.
Business can at least double in size within 2yrs.
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Jersey Innovation Fund Loan - Expectations
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You will need both a Business Plan and a completed application form.
Consider:
Finding out more about JIF here
You can find the form and guidance notes at this URL
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Jersey Innovation Fund Loan - Considerations
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Unsecured business loans can be a good source of funds to get your business growing.
Typically the maximum unsecured loan is around £25,000-£30,000.
The advantage of a loan is that you do not have to give up any ownership of your business. However, you will be committing to paying back the loan.
Loan companies will have expectations of you and your business.
Expectations
Business should ideally be two or more years old with an established trading and banking record, but some lenders do work with start-up businesses.
A very solid and convincing Business Plan will be required.
You will also need to have excellent credit worthiness and the personal credibility to deliver the Business Plan.
The circumstances for requiring the money must be understood – capital expenditure on equipment or a short-term working capital issue.
The fact that having evidence of solid sales and cash flows to ensure repayment of the loan is more important than a long term strategy should be recognised.
Loan Providers
Generally, the independent loan companies have more flexibility to consider unsecured loans than more traditional providers.
Consider:
Acorn, 618628
Future Finance, 493933
Cherry Godfrey, 711666
QuidsIn, 634001
Close Finance, 737341
PBS Lending, 761419
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Does your Business Plan contain all of these sections:
- What does your business do?
- Who does it sell to, what is it's market?
- What makes it special?
- How much money does it make now or plan to make in the future?
- Who are the key people in the team?
Yes
No
Does your Business Plan contain all the necessary sections?
business_plan
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Expectations
Business should ideally be two or more years old with an established trading and banking record, but some lenders do work with start-up businesses.
A very solid and convincing Business Plan will be required.
You will also need to have excellent credit worthiness and the personal credibility to deliver the Business Plan.
The circumstances for requiring the money must be understood – capital expenditure on equipment or a short-term working capital issue.
The fact that having evidence of solid sales and cash flows to ensure repayment of the loan is more important than a long term strategy should be recognised.
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Unsecured Loan - Expectations unsecured_loan
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Generally, the independent loan companies have more flexibility to consider unsecured loans than more traditional providers.
Consider:
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Angel investors can provide both money and assistance with your business, through introductions, expertise and experience.
Angel investors invest individually in your business in exchange for some of the ownership (equity/a share of business).
The popular “Dragon’s Den” is a form of angel investing.
The great majority of angel investors are members of investing groups.
Angel investors (investor groups) will have expectations of you and your business.
Expectations
You should ideally be an early stage business which has been in existence for two or more years.
Your business having a strong strategic plan and being in the process of implementing it is preferable.
There should be a Strong Executive Management Team in place with preferably a strong Chairman and/or existing investors providing support/oversight.
Evidence of professional management and ability to deliver on financial/cash targets and sales/commercial forecasts will be needed.
Brands and IP should be protected.
You should have a clear focus on an exit of between 5x to 10x the money invested.
Angel Investors
Some groups will assist you in preparing for angel investment but charge for the overall service.
You will typically pay 5-6% of investment raised as fees to the angel group.
Consider:
Envestors
Cambridge Capital Group International
Beauport Partners
AVI partners
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Expectations
You should ideally be an early stage business which has been in existence for two or more years.
Your business having a strong strategic plan and being in the process of implementing it is preferable.
There should be a Strong Executive Management Team in place with preferably a strong Chairman and/or existing investors providing support/oversight.
Evidence of professional management and ability to deliver on financial/cash targets and sales/commercial forecasts will be needed.
Brands and IP should be protected.
You should have a clear focus on an exit of between 5x to 10x the money invested.
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Angel Investors - Expectations
angel_investors
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Some groups will assist you in preparing for angel investment but charge for the overall service.
You will typically pay 5-6% of investment raised as fees to the angel group.
Consider:
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Quasi funds provide a means of securing capital from pools of investors with local connections.
Unlike angel investors, who commit individually, quasi funds pool money from investors together.
This usually means that you only need deal with the Fund Managers rather than several or many angel investors.
Quasi funds will have expectations of you and your business.
Expectations
There should be a strong understanding of the business, which will be over three years old, to ensure that it fits in with the investment sector and profile of the members of the Quasi Fund.
A Robust strategic/implementation plan will need to be in place.
Your Company will need a Management Team with good management disciplines in place who understand their market/sector.
Both the Board and professional advisers will need to be strong.
On account that management fees are in place there will be greater external scrutiny with focus on monitoring performance against budgets/targets.
It will be expected that certain key portfolio companies will perform to offset losses from other investments.
You should have a good understanding of where the company will exit and be seeking 5x money invested, plus exit.
Quasi Funds
You may well be charged for access to the quasi funds – up to 5% of investment plus possibly an annual fee.
Consider:
Harwell Capital
RAW Capital
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Expectations
There should be a strong understanding of the business, which will be over three years old, to ensure that it fits in with the investment sector and profile of the members of the Quasi Fund.
A Robust strategic/implementation plan will need to be in place.
Your Company will need a Management Team with good management disciplines in place who understand their market/sector.
Both the Board and professional advisers will need to be strong.
On account that management fees are in place there will be greater external scrutiny with focus on monitoring performance against budgets/targets.
It will be expected that certain key portfolio companies will perform to offset losses from other investments.
You should have a good understanding of where the company will exit and be seeking 5x money invested, plus exit.
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Quasi Funds - Expectations quasi_funds
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