Self-employment
Support for self-employed people and those interested in starting their own business.
Abri – support and training to start up a new business
Amazon Small Business Accelerator – online education programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one
Barclays Eagle Labs – information on starting and growing a business
Better Business Finance – support for business finance and writing business plans
British Chamber of Commerce – local business network that connects companies together to support each other
British Franchising Association – information on how business franchising works and how to choose a franchise
BT Skills for Tomorrow – training, tools and courses to help launch a business
Building Heroes – 5 week course for veterans and service leavers to start a career in construction or construction engineering
Business Debtline – free debt advice service for the self-employed and small business owners
Business Link on GOV.UK – information on setting up a business
Business Support Helpline on GOV.UK – a small business service for information on starting or growing a business
Community Catalysts – support for people building small community businesses and enterprises
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on GOV.UK – business information and government announcements
Digital Business Academy – courses to start, grow or join a digital business
Disabled Entrepreneurs – support for people with a disability seeking self-employment
Enterprise Cube – online meet up and discussion forum with other entrepreneurs looking to launch a new business
Enterprise Nation – free support for entrepreneurs from experts (not all services are free)
Federation of Small Businesses – membership service providing advice, financial expertise and support for small business owners
Franchise Directory – a directory of UK franchises
Franchise Magazine – publication dedicated to franchising
Fredericks Foundation – provides access to small business loans to entrepreneurs
Funding Circle – lending platform for established businesses
Future Learn – online entrepreneurship courses
Gingerbread – support for single parents who are considering self-employment or starting a business
Google Digital Garage – online courses to help start a new business
Grey4Gold – business skills matching service to support retail businesses
Growth Hub – support for digital entrepreneurs aged 18-24
HP Life – online courses and advice for people looking to start their own business
Informi – information and advice for the small business community
Institute of Directors – membership based organisation that provides tools, resources and facilities to grow a business
Kick Off in Business – contact your Work Coach about this start-up and self-employment training course
Let’s Do Business – network of business support organisations to support new start ups
Local Enterprise Partnerships – promoting local community partnerships to grow the local economy
Mentorsme – provides online business mentors
Money Advice Service – advice for starting a business and information about business and personal insurance when self-employed
National Enterprise Network – membership body that offers independent advice and support for people thinking about starting a business or running one
National Market Traders Federation – support and information on how to start your own market stall
Newable – support for businesses less than two years old
OpenLearn – free online courses to help someone start a new business
Princes Trust – training, mentorship and funding through an Enterprise Programme for 18-30 year olds
Qube Learning – contact your Work Coach about this level 2 Creating a Business Start Up course
Rebel Business School – business courses and business events
Royal British Legion – self employment support for serving and ex-service personnel
SAMEE Project – support and mentoring for people looking at self-employment
Self-employment business expenses on GOV.UK – information from HMRC away
Silver Workers – online support for people aged 50 and over considering self-employment
SIREE – support for refugees interested in self-employment or starting a business
Skillsmax – contact your Work Coach about this Move into Work programme aimed at people who have been self-employed
Start Up Donut – support for starting a business
Start Up Loans – part of the British Business Bank which provides start up loans for business
Startup Circle – mentoring program for self-employed people
Startup Direct – provides start up loans, mentorship, workshops and networking events
TERN – support for refugee entrepreneurs with a minimum of ESOL entry level 3 standard of English
The Blossom Charity – support for women setting up a new business
The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust – financial support for young entrepreneurs ages 18-30
Train4 – runs a No Cost Enterprise Course to prepare people for starting a business
Transmit Start-ups – provides loans, supports and an eBook for start up information
UniLtd – charity that provides funding for social entrepreneurs looking to set up or scale up a business with a social value angle
Virgin Start-up – new business start up loans with mentoring support
Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) - support, skills and network for women in business who are just starting out
X-Forces – supports the UK Armed Forces community starting a new business
ACH Refugee and migrant support services - Enterprise support for any refugee or migrants that do not hold a UK, EU or Swiss passport and has the right to work in the UK wanting to start a business or need support with their existing business
Adult Community Learning Bath College - 8-week course for those looking to become self-employed. Check with Bath College Adult Community Learning for details of the next available course
CCBED - Level 1 Passport to Enterprise and Employment
Cool Ventures Limited Events - Contact Cool Ventures for details of the next available Starting in Business webinar or workshop
Future Bright - West of England Combined Authority - A free service to help people in paid work, including self-employment, to develop their skills and progress their careers
West of England - Outset - Introduction to Enterprise events that cover the fundamentals of setting up a business
Strong Foundations Bristol (NEBES) The School for Social Entrepreneurs - Free, virtual or face-to-face 4-week programme to support people in starting a business that makes a change for their community. available for those living or working in North, East or Central Bristol
Strong Foundations (South Bristol Enterprise Support) The School for Social Entrepreneurs- as above for those living in South Bristol
Universal Business Support - Growth Hub (westofengland-ca.gov.uk) - Support for self-employed customers, either planning to become self-employed, in start-up or trading
Start-Up Support Package Business West - Support and online seminars for customers looking to start their own business
North Somerset Enterprise Agency - Three day Business Start-up Course for anyone looking to start a business in North Somerset
Help to set up a business or become self-employed (kickoffinbusiness.co.uk) - deliver a fully funded, one week online course available to any adults (19+) who may be interested in exploring the option of self-employment or starting their own business
Contact - Pluss - If you meet the eligibility criteria you can access specialist support to help you assess and explore your options for those seeking to develop their own business
Somerset Business Agency Events - fully-funded, accredited programme is designed for Somerset-based individuals interested in starting their own business or going into self-employment
Adult Education in Gloucestershire - Adult Education in Gloucestershire – Be your own boss. Free 6-week business venture course
Pre-Employment & JobSmart - Gloucestershire College – Courses on How to grow your business and Steps to Setting Up Your Own Business
Help to set up a business or become self-employed (kickoffinbusiness.co.uk) - one week online course available to any adults (19+) who may be interested in / deemed suitable to explore the option of self-employment or starting their own business
Home - Start and Grow Enterprise - Free Support For New Businesses - offers free support to freelancers, budding entrepreneurs, and new business owners to help them start and grow their businesses
Stanta.co.uk - Free business advice and training for micro businesses and offices to rent St Albans
Berkshire Growth Hub - Support those considering self-employment or established businesses
Buckinghamshire Business First – see website for further information
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce - Advice for pre-start businesses and small trading businesses provided by Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
South & Vale Business Support - Starting your own business support
Wenta - can provide support if individuals have a business idea to explore or already running a small business. They run a series of Webinars
Cosmic - offering free workshops to customers in the East Devon area to help customers going / are self-employed looking for advice and support in improving the productivity of the business
DBI - Diversity Business Incubator - a Plymouth based Business Hub for Minority Ethnicity entrepreneurs
Growth Hub - a single point of access for businesses looking for advice and support and they can help identify funding support where available
PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK - Business support and advice
Go Train – contact your Work Coach about this 1 week introduction to self employment course in East London
New City College – contact your Work Coach about these business and enterprise courses for people in Tower Hamlets
NWES – provides start up and self employment support for East London
Successful Mums – provides a 6 week course for mums looking to become self employed in London
Adult Community Learning – provides a business start up course for people in Essex
Colbea – runs online seminars for starting a new business across Essex
Lightbulb – contact your Work Coach about this Creating a Business course for people in Essex
Qube Learning – contact your Work Coach about this Creating a Business course for people in Essex
Twin Training UK Ltd - contact your Work Coach about this Creating a Business level 2 course for people in Essex
Ashford Borough Council – local information on business support services
Business (dover.gov.uk) – local information on business support services
Folkestone and Hythe District Council – local information on business support services
Gravesham Borough Council – local information on business support services
Her Biz – contact your Work Coach about these business start up workshops for women in Kent
Kent Foundation – provides support to young entrepreneurs and business owners to grow a business in Kent
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce – offers business advice services across Kent
Kent and Medway Growth Hub – support for new and growing businesses in Kent and Medway
Kick off in Business – contact your Work Coach for this one week business start up course in Kent
Locate in Kent – business support for people looking to locate or expand their business in Kent
Optivo – runs a 3 day business start up course for people in Kent, not just Optivo residents
Sevenoaks District Council – local information on business support services
Swale Borough Council – local information on business support services
Thanet District Council – local information on business support services
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council – local information on business support services
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council – local information on business support services
MLB Learning Solutions – contact your Work Coach about this Introduction to Self Employment opportunity for people in North London
Blackpool Unlimited - Self-employment advice and support
Boost Business Lancashire - Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub
Community Catalysts - Support for anyone running a social enterprise providing care services to people within Allerdale.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce - Business support
Digital Marketing Skills4all - Join our 8-week bootcamp and learn digital marketing
Enterprise Mentoring - supporting individuals with disabilities into Self-Employment.
The Growing Club - designing and delivering training by women for women and to start and grow sustainable businesses.
Hyndburn Enterprise Trust Lancashare - One-to-one business interviews, workshops, and seminars on a range of business issues and advice on available grants.
Selnet - Social Enterprise Lancashire Network - supporting social enterprises across Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen to connect, develop and grow
County Durham Growth Fund - Capital funding to support small to medium businesses looking to expand or establish new operations in County Durham
Durham County Council - Retail business support services
Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups (DABS) - Helping to start and develop business in County Durham.
EMS (Enterprise Made Simple) - Business Support- provides support for people who think they might have a business idea and work with them.
NEBSF (North East Business Support Fund) - Grant funding for North East Businesses
NEEA (North East Enterprise Agency) - Providing advice on starting a new business
North East Fund - Funding for companies based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham
North East Growth Hub - Information and advice on setting up and growing a business, funding and online tools to support customers and employers
Ask About Business - Libraries supporting start ups, entrepreneurs and jobseekers across the North West
Build a business Greater Manchester - advice for small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.
Franchising Works - provides free training, advice and support to customers considering supported self-employment through franchising.
Get Oldham Working - Oldham Council - a Council service that aims to help people find work and training opportunities
HEY Start-ups - Help and advice with starting a business
MC4C - for young people aged 16-29 who would like to start their own business.
North East BIC - Business Support
Reviving the Heart of the West End - Business Support and Personal Development across Newcastle-upon-Tyne
TEDCO - North East business support to start, grow and fund
Advance - self-employment support
South Yorkshire MCA - business support
Ad:Venture - Supporting Start-Ups across the Leeds City Region & West Yorkshire
Business & IP Centre Leeds - Free support to new and existing businesses, or anyone with a business idea in Leeds and West Yorkshire.
Peat Project - support individuals in the South East of Wakefield District.
Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project - offers entrepreneurship support
Access To Business - offers professional services supporting local people into employment and self-employment
Black Country Chamber of Commerce – provides support for businesses
Netcom Training - offers a Website and Marketing course for those who own their own business
Sweda – offers self-employment advice
Cambridge Regional College – contact your Work Coach about this service for helping you start a new business in Cambridge
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – support for starting a new business
City College Peterborough – contact your Work Coach about this service for helping you start a new business in Peterborough
Clarion Housing Group – contact your Work Coach about this service for helping you start a new business across East Anglia
Fredericks Foundation – charity that provides microloans and business support for new start ups in Cambridgeshire
Future Business Centre – provides self employment support for people in Cambridge and Peterborough
Harlow College – runs a business start up course for most of East Anglia
MENTA – cotact your Work Coach about this business start up support service for Dereham, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, North Walsham and Norwich
New Anglia Growth Hub – provides support across Anglia for small and new businesses
NWES – provides start up and self employment support for East Anglia
Voncap – contact your Work Coach about this entrepreneur programme for people in East Anglia
Business Gateway Growth Hub – provides support including a range of free services if just starting out or been trading a while
Business Start Up and Training Northampton – provides help with business growth and development
Business support advice - LibraryPlus - offers a wide range of one-to-one sessions for anyone who is considering self-employment, and new start-ups
Fredericks Foundation – provides start-up finance or capital to expand an established business
NBV Small Business Support – offers a starting in business programme
The Zinthiya Trust - Offers support to people to start and grow their own business
WEA Work for yourself – provides courses for self-employment
WENTA Start-up Programme – provides free access to 12 hours of support for new business owners
NBV Starting in Business Programme – offers their programme available to individuals residing in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire Leicestershire and Lincolnshire areas
Business and IP Centre Nottingham City Libraries - provide free business support to start-up business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors across Nottinghamshire and neighbouring areas
Business Start Up Support - Worcester City Council - offers business grants for start-ups
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce - offers a range of free business start-up workshops designed to help those considering self-employment or those who have recently started
Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub - offers impartial advice for growing businesses
CWRT Business Loans and Start up Support - offers business support programmes to support business start-up and growth. Also, offers loans to individuals, partnerships, companies and social enterprises
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce - offers a range of free business start-up workshops designed to help those considering self-employment or those who have recently started
Marches Growth Hub - offers information and guidance on business grants, loans, support and advice
Support for new and existing businesses – Coventry City Council - offers a programme of activities to support and help new and existing businesses
The Highlife Centre - offers a range of Business and Enterprise Training
Worcestershire Growth Hub - offers self-employment support and courses
Being Your Own Boss - offers support to anyone aged 19+ who is interested in starting their own business and earning less than £16,000 per annum or unemployed
Erewash Partnership - helps new and established businesses by providing information and advice on every aspect of running a business
Push The Button Today - offers all Derbyshire residents the opportunity to explore business potential and learn how to set up a new business
Business Support in the East Midlands with NBV - supports businesses across the East Midlands whether looking to start a new business or grow an existing one
Vision Derbyshire Business Support scheme - Business Start-Up and Business Support Grant Scheme open to people who live in Derby and Derbyshire
Acorn Training - offers training covering basics like; finance, marketing, business planning and legislation
Enterprise for Success - Blue Orchid - Business Start Up Masterclass - online live sessions offer help with business planning, marketing and finance
Business Enterprise Support - offers self-employment support programme to residents of Staffordshire
Community Catalysts - helps people and communities across Stoke on Trent to use their talents to start and run small enterprises and community businesses
Staffordshire Chambers - offers a 2-3 week programme for anyone interested in starting a business
Abri – support and training to start up a new business
Amazon Small Business Accelerator – online education programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one
Barclays Eagle Labs – information on starting and growing a business
Better Business Finance – support for business finance and writing business plans
British Chamber of Commerce – local business network that connects companies together to support each other
British Franchising Association – information on how business franchising works and how to choose a franchise
BT Skills for Tomorrow – training, tools and courses to help launch a business
Building Heroes – 5 week course for veterans and service leavers to start a career in construction or construction engineering
Business Debtline – free debt advice service for the self-employed and small business owners
Business Gateway – online support, local workshops and a business advisor network for people in Scotland looking to start or grow a business
Community Catalysts – support for people building small community businesses and enterprises
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on GOV.UK – business information and government announcements
Digital Business Academy – courses to start, grow or join a digital business
Disabled Entrepreneurs – support for people with a disability seeking self-employment
Enterprise Cube – online meet up and discussion forum with other entrepreneurs looking to launch a new business
Enterprise Nation – free support for entrepreneurs from experts (not all services are free)
Federation of Small Businesses – membership service providing advice, financial expertise and support for small business owners
Find business support in Scotland – a search tool for public sector business support
Firstport – advice and workshops for new or emerging social entrepreneurs across Scotland
Franchise Directory – a directory of UK franchises
Franchise Magazine – publication dedicated to franchising
Funding Circle – lending platform for established businesses
Future Learn – online entrepreneurship courses
Gingerbread – support for single parents who are considering self-employment or starting a business
Google Digital Garage – online courses to help start a new business
Grey4Gold – business skills matching service to support retail businesses
GrowBiz – support for small businesses, social enterprises and the self employed in rural Scotland
Growth Hub – support for digital entrepreneurs aged 18-24
HP Life – online courses and advice for people looking to start their own business
Informi – information and advice for the small business community
Institute of Directors – membership based organisation that provides tools, resources and facilities to grow a business
Let’s Do Business – network of business support organisations to support new start ups
Local Enterprise Partnerships – promoting local community partnerships to grow the local economy
Mentorsme – provides online business mentors
Money Advice Service – advice for starting a business and information about business and personal insurance when self-employed
National Market Traders Federation – support and information on how to start your own market stall
Newable – support for businesses less than two years old
OpenLearn – free online courses to help someone start a new business
Princes Trust – training, mentorship and funding through an Enterprise Programme for 18-30 year olds
Qube Learning – contact your Work Coach about this level 2 Creating a Business Start Up course
Rebel Business School – business courses and business events
Royal British Legion – self employment support for serving and ex-service personnel
SAMEE Project – support and mentoring for people looking at self-employment
School for Social Entrepreneurs – ongoing support and advice for people starting a social business
Scottish Business Mentoring – provides a matching service between growing businesses and mentors
Scottish Enterprise – support and funding for starting a business or project
Self-employment business expenses on GOV.UK – information from HMRC away
Silver Workers – online support for people aged 50 and over considering self-employment
Skillsmax – contact your Work Coach about this Move into Work programme aimed at people who have been self-employed
Start Up Donut – support for starting a business
Start Up Loans – part of the British Business Bank which provides start up loans for business
Startup Circle – mentoring program for self-employed people
Startup Direct – provides start up loans, mentorship, workshops and networking events
TERN – support for refugee entrepreneurs with a minimum of ESOL entry level 3 standard of English
The Blossom Charity – support for women setting up a new business
The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust – financial support for young entrepreneurs ages 18-30
Train4 – runs a No Cost Enterprise Course to prepare people for starting a business
Transmit Start-ups – provides loans, supports and an eBook for start up information
UniLtd – charity that provides funding for social entrepreneurs looking to set up or scale up a business with a social value angle
Virgin Start-up – new business start up loans with mentoring support
Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) - support, skills and network for women in business who are just starting out
X-Forces – supports the UK Armed Forces community starting a new business
Young Enterprise Scotland – offers enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes and opportunities for young people in Scotland
Cre8te – support and advice for starting a new business in East Edinburgh
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce – regular events for businesses to connect
Fife Chamber of Commerce – regular events for businesses to connect
Launch It – service for people aged 18-30 to rent space to start a business and get access to peer support in Dundee
Micro Enterprise Fund – a fund to support businesses with ten or fewer employees that are looking to expand their business in Perth and Kinross
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce – regular events for businesses to connect
E3 Hub – enterprise hubs in Lanarkshire that provide support for early business development
Abri – support and training to start up a new business
Amazon Small Business Accelerator – online education programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one
Barclays Eagle Labs – information on starting and growing a business
Barriers to Start-up Grant – a grant for 25 year olds and over to cover essential business start up costs
Better Business Finance – support for business finance and writing business plans
Business Online Support Services (BOSS) – information and courses to prepare for starting a business
British Chamber of Commerce – local business network that connects companies together to support each other
British Franchising Association – information on how business franchising works and how to choose a franchise
BT Skills for Tomorrow – training, tools and courses to help launch a business
Building Heroes – 5 week course for veterans and service leavers to start a career in construction or construction engineering
Business Debtline – free debt advice service for the self-employed and small business owners
Business in Focus – advice and guidance to help start a business and Enterprise Hubs for a dedicated work space
Business Link on GOV.UK – information on setting up a business
Business Wales on GOV.UK – information, advice and guidance on starting and growing a business, including a Barriers Grant
Community Catalysts – support for people building small community businesses and enterprises
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on GOV.UK – business information and government announcements
Development Bank of Wales – business finance and advice for companies based in Wales
Digital Business Academy – courses to start, grow or join a digital business
Disabled Entrepreneurs – support for people with a disability seeking self-employment
Enterprise Cube – online meet up and discussion forum with other entrepreneurs looking to launch a new business
Enterprise Nation – free support for entrepreneurs from experts (not all services are free)
Federation of Small Businesses – membership service providing advice, financial expertise and support for small business owners
Franchise Directory – a directory of UK franchises
Franchise Magazine – publication dedicated to franchising
Fredericks Foundation – provides access to small business loans to entrepreneurs
Funding Circle – lending platform for established businesses
Future Learn – online entrepreneurship courses
Gingerbread – support for single parents who are considering self-employment or starting a business
Google Digital Garage – online courses to help start a new business
Grey4Gold – business skills matching service to support retail businesses
Growth Hub – support for digital entrepreneurs aged 18-24
HP Life – online courses and advice for people looking to start their own business
Informi – information and advice for the small business community
Institute of Directors – membership based organisation that provides tools, resources and facilities to grow a business
Let’s Do Business – network of business support organisations to support new start ups
Local Enterprise Partnerships – promoting local community partnerships to grow the local economy
Mentorsme – provides online business mentors
Money Advice Service – advice for starting a business and information about business and personal insurance when self-employed
National Market Traders Federation – support and information on how to start your own market stall
Newable – support for businesses less than two years old
OpenLearn – free online courses to help someone start a new business
Prime Cymru – support for mature people in Wales to set up a business
Princes Trust – training, mentorship and funding through an Enterprise Programme for 18-30 year olds
Qube Learning – contact your Work Coach about this level 2 Creating a Business Start Up course
Rebel Business School – business courses and business events
Royal British Legion – self employment support for serving and ex-service personnel
SAMEE Project – support and mentoring for people looking at self-employment
Self-employment business expenses on GOV.UK – information from HMRC away
Silver Workers – online support for people aged 50 and over considering self-employment
Skillsmax – contact your Work Coach about this Move into Work programme aimed at people who have been self-employed
Start Up Donut – support for starting a business
Start Up Loans – part of the British Business Bank which provides start up loans for business
Startup Circle – mentoring program for self-employed people
Startup Direct – provides start up loans, mentorship, workshops and networking events
TERN – support for refugee entrepreneurs with a minimum of ESOL entry level 3 standard of English
The Blossom Charity – support for women setting up a new business
The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust – financial support for young entrepreneurs ages 18-30
Train4 – runs a No Cost Enterprise Course to prepare people for starting a business
Transmit Start-ups – provides loans, supports and an eBook for start up information
UniLtd – charity that provides funding for social entrepreneurs looking to set up or scale up a business with a social value angle
Virgin Start-up – new business start up loans with mentoring support
Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) - support, skills and network for women in business who are just starting out
X-Forces – supports the UK Armed Forces community starting a new business
Young Person’s Start Up Grant – a grant for young people starting a business
Community Catalysts – contact your Work Coach about this 2 year development programme for people in Wrexham looking to run a small business, enterprise, venture or group
The Wrexham Enterprise Hub – a Business Wales hub and collaborative space for entrepreneurs to work together
Encouraging Enterprise – contact your Work Coach about this enterprise advice service run by Merthyr Tydfil local authority