Interesting that the Royal British Legion is exhibiting at the London Franchise Show at Excel in February to promote their “Be the Boss” scheme which provides funding, training, and mentoring to ex-Servicemen who want to run their own business.
Now open to all Service leavers, regardless of the date of their discharge, the scheme offers start up grants and loans for any business model of up to £7,500 and up to £30,000 in growth funding once the business has been running successfully for six months.
The Legion provides health and welfare to the serving and ex-Service community and their families. Part of the Legion’s resettlement programme for Service leavers and funded by a grant from the UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills, the scheme is delivered by the Legion through experienced business professionals across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It has had more than 1,000 registrations in its first year of operation, including many people looking at opportunities in franchising. Applicants and their businesses must be domiciled in the UK and existing businesses seeking funds must have traded for no more than two years. They welcome applications from Service leavers who have an injury, long-term health conditions or a disability.
First step is a programme to evaluate your specific needs and assistance in developing a business start up or business growth plan. A funding proposal is then assessed by the Legion’s professional partners. After receiving funding, the applicant benefits from ongoing mentoring along with period business health checks.