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

Have you thought about crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding: What You Need To Know

That's a possibility.

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. 

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.

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.