Financial Assistance
eCoast Angel Network
The eCoast Angel Network was formed in July 2000 by a group of like-minded investors from the Portsmouth NH area. Members come from diverse backgrounds but have a unified purpose:
- To support economic development, principally in the eCoast region
- To foster entrepreneurial spirit
- To identify investment opportunities
The group's focus is on early-stage companies involved with advanced technology, e-commerce, healthcare, and industrial products and services, principally located in the New Hampshire coastal region. The group is most interested in companies requiring $250K-$2 Million at pre-money valuations of less than $5 Million, who have a credible multi-option exit strategy and Fare led by an experienced core management team.
The group maintains strong ties to other investment groups and many of the members have affiliations with early-stage Venture Capital firms. The eCoast Angels has been a leader in promoting best practices and encouraging cooperation between regional angel groups. The group is a charter member of the Angel Capital Association, North America's professional alliance of angel groups. In keeping with the group's purpose, it has offered advice and counsel to many companies that were not funded by the network.
Business Finance Authority (BFA)
The Business Finance Authority (BFA) provides financial assistance and credit enhancements to companies and local development corporations seeking to build or expand industrial or recreational facilities in New Hampshire.
Institute for Cooperative Community Development (ICCD)
The Institute for Cooperative Community Development (ICCD) provides assistence to small state entrepreneurs in maintaining self-sufficiency business. The Microloan Program/Capital Network provides New Hampshire-based businesses with small loans of up to $25,000 with no participation limits.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The U.S. Department of Housing arid Urban Development allocates Community Development Block Grant funds for a broad range of community-based activities for small businesses including:
- Housing
- Public facilities
- Public services
- Equipment
Contact Portsmouth Community Development Office
(603) 610-7226 / Community Development Home Page
Granite State Development Corporation (GSDC)
The Granite State Development Corporation (GSDC) Loan Program offers businesses up to 90% financing at approximately 2.5% over the ten-year U.S. Treasury note market rate for up to 20 years.
Eligible investments include the acquisition of fixed assets, such as land and buildings, new construction or renovation, or machinery and equipment. The loans from GSDC are funded through the private sale of debentures that are guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The program is designed for for-profit businesses with less than 500 employees, a net worth not to exceed $6 million, and an after-tax annual net profit less than $2 million. Individuals with 20% or greater ownership of either the small business concern or a designated real estate holding entity are required to provide an unsecured personal guaranty.
http://www.granitestatedev.com/
New Hampshire Export Finance Program (NHEFP)
The New Hampshire Export Finance Program (NHEFP) strives to assist New Hampshire businesses that export goods and services and need short-term working capital, export receivable insurance, or financing for the sale of capital goods and services to buyers. Available programs include the Export Working Capital Guarantee, funded through the Export Import Bank of the US (Ex-Im Bank) and Small Business Administration; Ex-Im Bank Export Credit Insurance; and Ex-Im Bank Foreign Buyer Credit.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small Business Administration (SBA) Guaranty Loans are made by private lenders and are guaranteed up to a specified percentage by the SBA. The 7(a) Guaranty Program helps lenders provide longer term financing for small business customers. The program limits the bank's exposure and allows lenders to consider larger loan requests. A secondary market exists for sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.
New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (Community Loan Fund)
The Community Loan Fund turns investments into loans and education to create opportunity and transform lives across New Hampshire. It collaborates with a wide range of donors and lenders; and with business, nonprofit and government partners; to provide the financing and support people need to own homes, have quality jobs and child care, and become financially independent.
Borrowers include small businesses, self-employed individuals, child-care providers, nonprofit housing developers, human-services nonprofits, and manufactured-housing cooperatives and homeowners.
Established in 1983, the Community Loan Fund was one of the first Community Development Financial Institutions in the nation, and has received industry awards and recognition for social impact, financial strength and performance.