GROWING companies with a sound commercial future are being sought for a business support scheme offering finance and free consultancy.

Route 2 Investment (R2i) can help companies secure the finance needed to grow their business by helping them make informed decisions on the type of funding that could meet their current needs and by helping them understand how to meet the requirements of funding bodies and investors.

The Business Link programme also provides help with business proposals, with experienced consultants helping companies to present their opportunity in such a way as to make it as attractive as possible to a potential lender or investor.

"The impartial expertise and knowledge of the consultants helps companies maximise their potential and secure the finance they need," said Rachel Rice, R2i programme lead at Business Link West Mercia. Consultants will help companies write a suitable plan that has the lenders' or investors' perspective clearly in mind and thus attract the best support possible for their business proposal."

The R2i programme is delivered through a combination of seminars and workshops to help businesses understand the benefits, requirements and risks associated with different types of finance.

The advice and support from the advisers includes benchmarking where the company is presently and then diagnosing a way forward.

There is also one-to-one reinvestment consultancy support and grants are available for consultancy support in preparing the plan, which will demonstrate that the business is commercial, sustainable and has growth potential and will include how much finance is needed and for what purpose.

For more information about R2i phone freephone 0800 10 40 10 or go to the website: www.blwm.com