Starting a business

GOV.UK is the Government's online resource for businesses. It contains essential information, support and services for start-up businesses including advice and information if you are planning to run your business from home.

HMRC provides free webinars, emails and videos on a range of topics including help and support if you’re self employed and with self assessment, VAT and employing people.

HMRC also has a dedicated online community for new businesses and self-employed individuals to get help and support.

The Intellectual Property Office provides information to help you protect your intellectual property.

If you are currently claiming unemployment benefit and would like to set up your own business, the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme can provide money and support to help an unemployed person start a business.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Growth Hub provides free resources and guidance to individuals considering starting a business of their own. They can also signpost potential entrepreneurs to other sources of support including grants and finance.  

The Business and IP Centre Cambridgeshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses through Intellectual Property and Market Research advice sessions and workshops on a range of business support topics.

The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge offers a range of interesting resources for entrepreneurs to help you start your business successfully through its Entrepreneurship Centre.

The British Library Business and IP Centre (BIPC) offers a range of free and low cost resources, face to face advice sessions, workshops and events to help businesses with everything from protecting their intellectual property rights to running a Linkedin business page.

Service-leavers, veterans, military spouses, reservists and cadets (over 18) who would like to start-up a business can contact X-Forces Enterprise for advice and support.

The Prince’s Trust works with 18 to 30-year-olds to turn big ideas into a business reality through their Enterprise programme. You could benefit from training and mentoring support, funding and resources.

The British Franchise Association (BFA) provides advice and training if you are thinking of joining a franchise.