First things first. Have you checked out our Enterprise programme? We help unemployed 18 to 30-year-olds become their own boss, helping young entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into a business reality with training, funding and mentoring support. 

Apply for our Enterprise programme today. 

If, for some reason, we can't help you, we know some other organisations that can:

Association of Disabled Professionals

The Association of Disabled Professionals (ADP) has written and produced a plain English Resource Guide, Directory of Support and Quick Reference guide to support disabled people who want to set up in business.

Business Gateway

Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland. 0300 013 4753

The Company Warehouse

The Company Warehouse offer free business consultancy to anyone who registers with them. They specialise in company formations and business registrations and can advise young people on the best legal structure for their new business. As a UK tag holder they manage domain names and have an in house team of web developers, designers and consultants who can help young people to get their businesses online. 0800 0828 727

Entrepreneurial Spark

Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures. The Entrepreneurial Spark programme lasts for six months and can continue for up to 18 months.

Enterprising Women

Enterprising Women help women achieve the success they want, by empowering, connecting, training, inspiring, campaigning, promoting, celebrating and supporting them in whatever way they can. 0800 012 1365

everywoman

everywoman is the UK’s leading provider of training, resources and support services for women in business. They work to increase the number and raise the status of women in the UK economy, using their experience and expertise to help women achieve their aspirations and realise their business and career ambitions. 020 7981 2574

Flying Start

Flying Start is dedicated to getting graduate businesses started (including social enterprises).

Fredericks Foundation

Fredericks Foundation provides small loans to help people start or grow their business when they can’t access traditional funding. Their loans come with the offer of a free business mentor.

Gov.uk

If you’re thinking of starting up a business, visit the Starting a Business pages. For information about the steps you can take to help grow your business, visit the Growing your Business pages.

Great Business

With Great Business, you can find the information and practical support you need to make your new venture a success, as well as be connected to expert advice to grow your enterprise. 0300 456 3565

The National Enterprise Network

The National Enterprise Network provide an array of services to new and emerging businesses, including independent and impartial advice, training and mentoring. 01908 605130

NESTA

NESTA offer business start up support for creative businesses. 020 7438 2500

The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust

The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust helps young people, from all backgrounds, get their business ideas off the ground and turned into sustainable, profitable organisations, whatever their scale. The aim is to provide financial support, where other methods of fundraising may have failed, and to offer advice. Grants will be considered for those applicants aged between 18 to 30 years old.

Prowess Women in Business

Prowess Women in Business offer business advice and a directory for local support.

RNIB

Royal National Institute of the Blind and Action for the Blind have merged together. They provide business and other support for blind and partially sighted people. 0303 123 9999

Start Up Donut

Start Up Donut is an online resource covering the different stages of business start-ups.

Start Up Loans

The Start Up Loans Company can give you access to personal loans for business purposes and free mentoring. 0344 264 2600​

Start Your Own Business

Start Your Own Business provides contact information for regional agencies which can offer advice and support to assist in starting your own business.

Start Up Overseas

Start Up Overseas provide support for those looking to start a business abroad.

Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise is the United Kingdom’s largest business and enterprise education charity. Every year they help 250,000 young people learn about business and the world of work in the classroom under the guidance of a network of 5,000 volunteers from 3,500 companies.

NatWest Business Builder

NatWest Business Builder is a digital tool designed to give people the right support, at the right time for them and their business. Whether you are looking to validate an idea, find new customers, or explore the funding options available, there is  support available online from NatWest’s Business Builder.

UnLtd

UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs – “enterprising people with solutions that change society for the better”.

Google for Startups

Google for Startups is Google’s initiative to help startups thrive across every corner of the world.

Money.co.uk

Money.co.uk allows you to navigate through other competitive organisations offering business start up loans, and to find the loan you need to get your business venture up and running.

Swoop!

Swoop has partnered with UK and European business grant providers, as well as Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), to offer you access to these grants and schemes all in one place. This platform allows you to navigate through a range of support avenues and tailor a grant to your needs.

Call: 0203 514 3044

Gov.UK

The government website offers an overview and extensive informative details on how to set up a business. Whether this be becoming a sole trader, limited company, or a partnership.  Have a look at the following links which may be of use to you

New Enterprise Allowance

NEA could give you money and support to help you start your own business. You need to be receiving certain benefits and have a business idea that could work.

To gain this support, you will need to speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach – they will explain how NEA could help you. They will also tell you about the support volunteer business mentors offer in the early months of trading

England 

You can contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free advice relating to your business / idea. You can also find free support, guidance, advice and sources of finance through your local ‘Growth Hub’.

If you are looking for business support or guidance, your local Growth Hub is there to help you. Use the list below to locate the Growth Hub nearest to you, there are 38 across England so there's one near you.

Call: 0800 998 1098

Scotland 

Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies are there to help you with the latest updates on the advice and support available to businesses. They are there to help you find the business support you need, including help and advice for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Call: 0300 303 0660

Wales 

Business Wales offers information information, advice and guidance you need to support you with your business start up / growth.

Call: 0300 060 3000

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list and there may be other support, which is better suited to you, available from another provider. The Prince’s Trust cannot verify whether any or of the above providers’ advice, guidance and/or services will be right for your needs. The decision as to whether a service will benefit you is yours alone. The Prince’s Trust do not take responsibility for any decisions or consequences that come as a result of you accessing any of the above platforms.