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:

Action for the Blind

Business support and other support for blind and partially sighted people 0800 915 4666

Association of Disabled Professionals

The Association of Disabled Professionals 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

Practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland 0845 609 6611

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. All businesses that they work with have access to advice from our qualified accountants to make sure their finances are in order and to help them with VAT, PAYE and other requirements.

In addition to offering legal and accountancy services they help businesses establish their online presence. 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. Tel: 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. If you have an accelerated business idea, click the link for more details.

Enterprising Women

At Enterprising Women, our goal is to help women achieve the success they want, by empowering, connecting, training, inspiring, campaigning, promoting, celebrating and supporting them in whatever way we can. We warmly welcome all female business owners, new and well-established, from any sector, background and from all parts of the UK

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. Their clients range from blue-chip corporations, who want to develop the next generation of female leaders, through to entrepreneurs and women looking to start up their own companies. www.everywoman.com is the largest online network of women in the UK. 020 7981 2574

Flying Start

Flying Start is dedicated to getting graduate businesses started (including social enterprises).0121 503 2233

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.

These resources are supported by the Business Support Helpline, Tel: 0300 456 3565 (9.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday).

Great Business

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

J4B Grants

Comprehensive information on government grants for both business and voluntary groups and a database of organisations that provide business advice.

National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

NFEA is the national enterprise network. Our members are drawn from local enterprise agencies and a wider range of enterprise support organisations and provide an array of services to new and emerging businesses, including independent and impartial advice, training and mentoring.   01234 831 623

NESTA

Business start up support for creative businesses. 020 7438 2500

Oli Bennett Charitable Trust

As a tribute to Oli, his family and friends have created the charity to help 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, and who are UK residents.

Prowess Women in Business

A website with help and advice aimed at Women in Business and a directory for local support.

Shell Live Wire

Shell Livewire offers a fully interactive website with a huge range of information on starting a business including a social network and discussion forum. They also have funding for young people to start businesses through the Shell Livewire Grand Ideas awards, in addition to the annual ‘Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition’. 0845 757 3252

Start Up Donut

An online resource regarding the different stages of business start-up.

Start Up Loans

Register your interest and work with a business advisor to apply for a business loan and access free mentoring. 0344 264 2600​

Start Your Own Business

The organisation provides contact information for regional agencies which can offer advice and support to assist in starting your own business. Select the region from the drop down menu on the home page for local listings.

Start-up Overseas

Support for those looking to start a business abroad.

yoodoo

yoodoo is a free online resource that takes you step by step through planning your own business.  Even if you’ve got no idea what to try, Yoodoo builds you a personal journey of interactive episodes and quizzes to develop both your skills as an entrepreneur and create a blueprint for your new business.

Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise is the United Kingdom’s largest business and enterprise education charity. Every year we 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.