Christchurch Seagulls Swimming Club, Chaplin’s Bar, Coda Music Trust, the Dorset Artists Emergency Fund and Nothe Fort in Weymouth are amongst businesses which have taken advantage of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign.

The initiative offers micro, small and social enterprise businesses up to £5,000 of match-funding, provided they can raise an equivalent amount from 10 or more supporters.

Developed as part of Crowdfunder UK’s pay-it-forward campaign and with support from Enterprise Nation, the scheme has so far pledged over £36,000 in match-funding to 9 businesses and projects across Dorset.

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director said: “While there has been a substantial amount of government funding available to businesses in Dorset throughout the pandemic, there are inevitably businesses and organisations who fall through the cracks or that have been – and continue to be – affected more than others. Along with a range of other business support schemes, we created Crowdfund Dorset Business as an additional opportunity to help local businesses and organisations – from sole traders through to larger SMEs – adapt to the challenges of trading through the pandemic. We have seen how it has made difference to some businesses already, and while restrictions remain in place, we’re sure it can benefit others as well.”

The Crowdfund platform provides great access and support to attract investors and supporters and once eligible applicants have reached 25 per cent of their target, Dorset LEP will commit match-funding of up to £5,000 payable when the target is met. 

Businesses and organisations interested in finding out more should visit www.dorsetlep.co.uk/crowdfunder.