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Many business owners need help at some point in terms of raising finances for their brand, such as through a business loan. This includes eCommerce businesses such as yours that may be looking for eCommerce financing. New eCommerce companies, for example, may require working capital or an advancement of funds. Existing online retailers, for example, may have a business plan for business growth for their online store, but cash flow is tight. If you are looking for potential eCommerce funding for your eCommerce business, it is helpful to know what funding options may be available to you. This article will, therefore, explain possible business funding in the UK for your eCommerce business.
What Is eCommerce Business Funding?
E-commerce business funding is money, such as business grants, which provide capital for your internet brand. They are a way to fund your internet business, perhaps to start your new brand or to expand an area within it. For example, you may want to introduce a new line for a product. eCommerce business funding may include, for example:
- UK government financial grants;
- financial grants from private organisations;
- business grants in the form of property;
- business grants in the form of services; or
- tax-efficient schemes.
What Potential Funding Could I Get for My eCommerce Business?
As an eCommerce business, it is helpful to know what funding may be available for your business to aid its growth and productivity. We list some options below, focusing on government funding and investment schemes. They will probably not all be relevant to your internet brand. However, one of the below options may suit your eCommerce business.
1) Government Funding
A potential form of business funding in the UK for your eCommerce brand is through the form of government grants. For example, if your eCommerce brand is an innovative idea or an internet business that wishes to grow, you may decide to apply for an innovation grant. There are various funding bodies which you could potentially get an innovation grant from.
Where your eCommerce brand covers the science or technology industry, you may want to start a new development project. Alternatively, you may wish to conduct research in a specific science or technology area. If so, the R&D tax credit may interest you. These are cash payments that the government can give you to help you with this.
Alternatively, you may be an eCommerce business in the making. Therefore, you have not yet started your internet brand but are on the verge of doing so. If so, and where you currently receive certain benefits or match specific criteria, you may be able to apply for the New Enterprise Allowance. This includes where you or your partner:
- receive Universal Credit;
- receive the Job Seekers Allowance;
- qualify for Employment and Support Allowance; or
- receive income support and either qualify as sick, have a disability or are a single parent.
The New Enterprise Allowance supports your new business as well as gives you the business funding you need to kick-start your internet brand’s growth.
If your eCommerce brand is keen to be environmentally friendly, you may wish to consider the Carbon Trust Green Business Fund. This is specifically for businesses, including internet businesses, which want to reduce their carbon footprint. Alternatively, you may wish to improve at being an environmentally sustainable eCommerce brand.
2) Investment Schemes
In addition to potential business funding in the UK in the form of grants for your eCommerce business, you may also be able to consider an investment scheme. These concern tax relief as a way to help your business funding. For example, this can include the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) or the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme could be an option for your eCommerce brand if you are a start-up and qualify accordingly. This works by investors investing in your internet brand. As a reward for doing so, the government then gives them tax relief on the following on their investment:
- income tax of up to 50%; and
- capital gains tax.
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) may be an option for your eCommerce brand if you are a large online business.
This guide sets out how to set up, finance and grow an online business in the UK.
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Key Takeaways
If you are an eCommerce business, you may wish to get potential business funding in the UK for your internet brand. This may be in the form of a government grant, for example, or an investment scheme. Different types of business funding are available and depend on whether you meet the criteria or what you wish to do with your business. This article has explained some government grant funding schemes you may want to consider. For example, if your internet brand is in the science or technology industry, you may apply for the R and D tax credit, which is a government grant. Alternatively, your internet business may want to consider an investment scheme. This article has explained two available, which depend on the size of your brand: the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).
If you need help understanding the various ways your eCommerce business may obtain funding, contact our experienced eCommerce lawyers as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
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