I have developed a new system for the improvements in Wind Turbines, and I wish to develope the product and get it to market. I have little experience of this particular part of a business. What is available in the UK with respect to funding, and what are the best places to look for further research into this? What agencies are the best to approach with respect to providing funding? I am writing a business plan and working out what the requirements are in terms of development costs, though I am not that experienced at this either, and I am basing figures on existing products in this sector. Your help is very much appreciated.

Have a look at:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

for more info and pointers.

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Andy Fierman

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http://signality.co.uk
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Thanks for the suggestion. I've looked at business links, but they haven't been very helpful. I'll look again. I've also looked into government grants, but it's not really easy to work out their criteria. Will continue the search.

Have you looked into Business Angels?

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Andy Fierman

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http://signality.co.uk
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I know very little about Business Angels, they keep getting mentioned but I have yet to meet one. If you know how I could go about meeting a Business Angel, I would love to be told. VC's are another one that come across as some sort of black arts specialists. I am definitely lost at sea with these people.

Consider reading "The New Business Road Test", by Michael E. Porter before confronting any venture capitalist, friends, family or fools. The information contained within will guide your thoughts before actually writing the final business plan. It can be considered a feasibility study and covers the necessary framework for launching any new business idea. Particular consideration is placed in five (5) main areas, i.e. macro market (market attractiveness), micro market (target segment attractiveness), macro industry (industry attractiveness), micro industry (sustainable advantage) and team domain (mission aspiration, propensity for risk, ability to execute on critical success factors and your connectedness up, down and across the value chain).

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R Collins BTech(Hons) Dip(Eng) MIET
Lieutenant