Starting a business
UK
If you are founding a business in the UK, here are some places to find information around administration, tax, and help
We haven't provided a link that tells you whether to be a limited company, sole trader, or social enterprise, because for very small companies it's fairly nuanced and when you are starting out, the decision can be marginal. We recommend some quality time with your favourite search engine before you decide, as well as conversations with qualified professional advisors
DISCLAIMER: We are not lawyers or tax advisors, the information in these pages is not complete, the links are to third party sites, and you should seek legal and financial guidance from qualified professional advisors (we are not) when setting up a business.
| Practical information | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local enterprise partnership | Map of LEPs in England | LEPs provide support, mentoring, funding, and in some cases, grants (free money) to startups in England (only, sorry). You should be able to search for equivalent programmes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. |
| British library | Business and IP centre | A range of business services and workshops intended for small and new businesses, great support for market research. It's not just London: check out the national network |
| Companies House | Setting up a business | Lots of information about the formal side of setting up a business |
| Company research | Search company register | If you followed the 'Setting up a business' link above, you will have registered with Companies House. This isn't a one-way exercise, it creates an immensely useful place to look up information about other businesses. We recommend you review suppliers, potential business partners or customers, and consultants before you enter a relationship with them. |
| Self assessment | HMRC's own checker | Self assessment is the UK tax process for filing a personal tax return. As a sole trader or company director, depending on how much you earn, you may not need to complete one, there's a handy checker on the HMRC website |
Networking and co-working spaces
Even if you don't need a desk yet, many of the co-working spaces organise useful events for small businesses. Networking groups generally charge for membership, with most you can attend one or two events for free or a one-off cost.
If you are in or near Hampshire, also check out Hampshire links
| Organisation | Notes |
|---|---|
| Barclays Eagle labs | Eagle labs have co-working spaces around the UK, also check out their frequent and free events. |
| British Chambers of Commerce | Find your local chamber of commerce. The BCC was founded in 1860, so there's a lot of history, and they are politically active on behalf of businesses |
| Network my club | Business networking at sporting venues, with the option to combine your day with sport. |
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