Norfolk Chambers Launches Funding Platform for Members
Norfolk Chambers has launched a new membership benefit designed to make it easier for local businesses to find and secure finance.
The Chamber Finance Finder, powered by Swoop and delivered in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, gives Norfolk Chambers members free access to a smart funding platform that searches over 1,000 providers to match businesses with the right loans, grants, equity investment, and savings opportunities.
Members can create a free account in minutes, with the platform automatically pulling business information from Companies House and using open banking technology to build a personalised funding profile. From there, businesses are matched with every relevant funding option available to them, from startup loans of £500 through to £20m commercial finance, as well as grants with an average value of £150,000 and equity investment opportunities.
A dedicated team of funding specialists is on hand to support members through the application process, and the platform tracks progress in one easy-to-use online dashboard. Importantly, using the platform has no impact on a business’s credit score.
Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said: “One of the most common conversations we have with members is around funding. Businesses often come to us looking for financial support, and until now, our solution has been to point people in the right direction, as we are not a funder ourselves. That’s always frustrated us, because we know how much is riding on businesses getting the right finance at the right time.
“The Chamber Finance Finder changes that. Now we can genuinely say to any member, come to us, and we’ll help you find and explore every funding option available to your business. It won’t guarantee a loan or a grant, ultimately those decisions rest with the lenders and funders, but it does put you in the best possible position to find the right opportunities and make the strongest possible application. It’s included in membership, it’s comprehensive, and it means no Norfolk business should ever have to give up on finding finance simply because they didn’t know where to look.”
The benefit is available to all Norfolk Chamber members, including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and public companies. Members also have access to a dedicated five-days-a-week Chamber Finance Finder hotline, a free financial health assessment, and regular funding updates delivered via the Chamber newsletter.
To get started, visit: norfolkchamber.co.uk/chamber_finance_finder