Sources of start-up funding for small business run by ASD person

I also think that finding funding for a small business can be tricky, especially if you’re autistic or disabled, but there are definitely options out there. I once met a guy at a local networking event who started his own online store after struggling to find a job that suited his needs. He told me about grants specifically for entrepreneurs with disabilities. They can be a great help!

Glad I'm not alone, I feel my daughter isn't being supported in mainstream school, not enough support during lessons as she only has a ta she don't have a key worker, she has a few friends but they don't understand her needs, ie no detention because home work isn't done (too much information set for home work or just don't understand whats being asked). Being bullied in school when told by hospital why she can't  do PE no evidence given and forced to continue to do activities by teachers and friends who don't understand ASD Needs.

Accion Opportunity Fund, a nonprofit community lender, offers small business loans of $300,000 to $100,000. They can help with assistive technology, available jobs, and adaptive work vehicle costs. Businesses must guarantee the loan, and personal guarantees are often required. Requirements vary by region, so be sure to check. This way, you can start your own business or do as a friend did. He bought a franchise https://wolfoffranchises.com/episodes/ and is making passive income.

Unfortunately, I have not yet heard of funding available specifically for autistic/disabled entrepreneurs. Although, there are many ways to raise money for a start-up project. For example, you can apply to one of the many crowdfunding platforms. The most accessible fundraising platforms are Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, RocketHub, PeerBackers, and Boomerang. However, you must understand that the success of your crowdfunding primarily depends on how you present your idea. The first thing you need is a good business plan for investors. No one will want to invest their money in a bad idea, so try to present your idea by pointing out all the advantages of your product! [link removed by moderator]

Hi Richard,

I had my own distillery a few years back, and originally I had applied for funding via The Start Up Loans scheme. It's backed by the government and you'd get mentoring/support, it's also low interest and targeted for those who'd struggle to get an alternative:

https://www.startuploans.co.uk/

Having said that, given this seems more of a community project I'd then tend to lean towards a crowd funding platform, probably more relevant to one that has experience with, or a specific listing section for: community projects. I'd suggest that crowdfunder would seem the best:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk

With that site, you also have the ability to apply for +Extra funding, for projects relating to specific causes or regions, they do tend to vary, and its a case of what funding is open to applications. This is the page about +Extra:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds

As far as alternative grants etc, .gov.uk has a searchable list of grants and financing, relevant to different: regions, councils, cities or projects etc.

You may also want to contact you local councils. Both town: as the Mayor tends to have a discretionary pot of funds, and county/unitary authority: as they tend to have their own schemes to tackle localised needs, which are more charitable in nature, and don't tend to get shown on .gov.uk It should list any available things on their websites, but as with mayoral funds... it can be buried somewhere on the website...

Other than that, the usual stuff: Rotary Club, the Masons, Round Table and perhaps more generally: local business groups. All of which, at least outwardly, like to be seen to be 'helping the community'.

Best of luck with it all!

Chris

This topic has always been fascinating because I have several sick friends. And we often discuss with them some different ways of earning money. It would seem.. people with this disease cannot work, but some people are interested in participating in some business affairs. Recently, a friend of mine suggested an idea to me. That was before the pandemic. And it seems that everything worked out for us. We found suppliers and everything was fine. But with the arrival of the pandemic came a black streak. And our business has suffered a lot. The only ones who helped us restore the industry were the guys from the company [link removed by moderator]

It seems that to solve your question; there will be many nuances. And people with such diseases will not want to work. I have a friend who is 19 years old at the moment. Yes, he has an illness that prevents him from living everyday life, like many children—running and running around playing games, or just going for walks, as well as going on dates. I had questions about [link removed by moderator] , and this topic hit me hard. Because I'm not from a wealthy family, I always wanted to go out with friends or buy myself something others have.

Why don't you try looking for financial help from charitable organizations? That's the first option that comes to mind. If I were you, I would try that. You have a business plan, right? There are plenty of charities now that help young aspiring entrepreneurs. Or, as you were already advised above, try crowdfunding. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the ABC of finance. Running your own business will allow you to become financially independent, so think about things like [removed by Moderator] beforehand. Either way, I wish you the best of luck with your business!

Edited by Anna Mod

There is a tremendous demand for promising projects in the world right now for investor funds. The mechanisms used are very different. These are internet portals for investors, various meetings, exhibitions, and conferences where budding business people can present their projects. In addition, there are many funds active in the industry that are professionally engaged in investing in startups. Now I know, loans given by banks to individuals "for any needs" are one of the most popular tools for financing small businesses, so it wouldn't hurt to consult a (Removed by Mod)

There is a tremendous demand for promising projects in the world right now for investor funds. 

I would go CAB and ask them, they if there know of any opportunities for funding in your area. Also talk to your town/county council if there anything there in your area.
Also don't forget talk to your local businesses association/small business associations.

Some of this is a bit dated but nothing lost looking
https://entrepreneurhandbook.co.uk/grants-loans/

https://www.disability-grants.org/business-grants-for-the-disabled.html

http://www.grantsexpert.co.uk/grants-for-disabled-entrepreneurs.html

richardsw16 said:

May be harder to persuade people to donate for purely altruistic reasons

You never know.  I've heard of people donating for things like saving someone from bankruptcy, helping someone off the streets, helping a student to pay college fees, etc.  It's quite heartening sometimes to read of things like it: people willing to give money not just to a charity without really knowing what it's going to be spent on, but actually to be able to see tangible results of their giving.

I was once sub-contracted to an IT recruitment business that started up solely with £150k raised from crowdfunding.  Most of the investors were already quite well off IT professionals who stood to benefit from the contracts that the business could offer them once it was up and running - most of which came from companies like Microsoft and IBM.  They couldn't lose!  They were investing in their own future job offers!

Here's a news story about Ursula Stone's start-up...

Enterprise Flourishes on Blooms from Bin

Yes - I've backed a few crowdfunder projects myself, but they had a specific product at the end. May be harder to persuade people to donate for purely altruistic reasons, although I could offer them visits to their area/school (if it's not too far away!).

I haven't contacted NAS directly yet. A job for next week ...

Thx for your interest and help.

Wow! What an amazing business. I've been involved in crowdfunder projects before, but these were for music recordings where the people who donated got a copy of the CD or better - something tangible. Hadn't thought of crowdfunding for business start-up funds. Thx for the link. This has really got me thinking.

Like Martian TomI was going to suggest crowdfunding - I have backed several projects (music production, book publication, film making, student art show). It's a good way to raise funds if your project has popular appeal and you can think up rewards which will appeal to people. If it is for a good cause altruism may be reward enough but offering sponsors updates on the progress of the project is often appreciated. 

I would speak to NAS as they will have access to specialist software which can be used to find funding sources. This might even be of interest to them in which case a joint funding bid might be worth considering. There should be a local enterprise scheme in your area to offer funding advice too. 

Here's an encouraging recent success story.  This woman started up her floristry business after being made redundant.  She retrieves 'past sell-by' bouquets from supermarkets, then reproduces them for residential homes, mental health groups and other charitable organisations.  She got her £70,000 start-up money from crowdfunding.

The Flower Bank

I'd also suggest looking at your local area, learning disability and autism charities and approaching the local authority such as your local learning disability partnership board (members), no harm in trying  

I've heard it's a lengthy process, but another idea could be national lottery funding, children in need.

That's a possibility.