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Advice on Finance

Raising finance for a new music business is not easy. If you expect a third party to finance you then you will need to produce a business plan. Generator has specialist consultants who can help you do this so speak to them if you need help with this. If you want to look at options yourself then here are a few alternatives:

Personal Investment

  • Your own money – this is your business and if you are not prepared to back it why should anybody else?

  • Private Investment – will friends and family back your idea?

  • Bank Loans - Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme at www.startups.co.uk

Public Sector Funding

Have a look at these websites for guidance and advice. Business Link advisors will be able to guide you about new funding streams that are being offered and Generator can also help with more specific music business enquiries.

You need to be aware that these organisations do have very different aims and objectives (outputs) so try and find out what they are. Business Link may have very different criteria to the Arts Council or Princes Trust.

Music Tank – search a wide range of funding sources relevant to the music
industry and general business sector: www.musictank.co.uk

Equity Investments – Business Angels

Business Angels are usually wealthy individuals who invest in new and growing businesses in return for a share of the equity. Contact: National Business Angels Network 020 7329 2929

Ingenious Media Investments Limited – private equity investment in film, television and music. Funding through ‘Ingenious Live VCT 1 & 2’ for live events spanning festivals, concerts and exhibitions: www.ingeniousmedia.co.uk

Fan Finance and Digital Finance

Marillion were one of the first bands to ask fans to ‘invest’ in their releases.  Since then, more and more established bands have been using other 'online' digital financing solutions through sites such as BandStocks, Slice the Pie and SellaBand. 

See the following links for more but do your own research on this also if you are interested.

Marillion - http://www.marillion.com/press/anorak.htm

Four Day Hombre - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4724650.stm

Patrick Wolf - http://popdirt.com/patrick-wolfs-team-makes-the-bandstocks-pitch/71084/

Public Enemy -  http://www.generator.org.uk/blog/public-enemy-sign-sellaband-aiming-raise-%C2%A3160-k-fans