Starting a business
Starting a business requires careful planning, research and preparation
There’s help available to support you when taking your first steps in business from a range of organisations locally and nationally. Take a look at the opportunities below to see which offer best fits with your plans to start your own business. Find out about start-up business funding on our grants and funding page.
If you are looking to set up a food business, please visit our dedicated food business page.
Government support
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.
There is also information to help with starting or running your own business if you are currently out of work.
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.
Local sources of support
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.
Other start-up support
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.
FSB has a step-by-step guide to setting up a business available to download from their website.
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.
UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs, helping social enterprises start up and grow.
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