Category

Starting a Business

Advice on how to start your own business, with guides to help you plan, develop and finance a start-up company, plus recommendations on registering the business, its legal structure and finding financial backing for growth. Whether you are just beginning or have already taken the first steps and want to keep everything on track, our expert articles will give you the knowledge to help lead you to success, whilst maintaining a good work-life balance.

Starting a business can initially seem daunting, but with good support and a strong idea you can quickly pass through the key stages of the setting-up process and be able to launch your company with a solid foundation.

Topics covered include: regulations and requirements for company owners, finding and selecting the professional services you may need (such as banking, insurance, accountancy etc.), legal structure options (self-employed person, sole trader, a partnership or a limited company), business planning, UK start up funding sources and finding your first customers.

The essential guide to starting a business in Oxford

Oxford is a very popular spot for starting a business, so we thought we'd look at what it's like to be based there.

Advice

Investing in a franchise

What franchise support should you get from a franchisor?

Tim Harris, managing director at ChipsAway and Ovenclean, part of Franchise Brands, explains what you should expect from a franchisor during your business journey.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Bristol

If you're looking into starting a business in Bristol, this guide may help to answer some of the questions rattling around your mind

Alternative finance

5 reasons why SEIS and EIS are the best funding routes for tech startups

Tax-based startup funding raised through the Government’s SEIS and EIS schemes is amplified if you work with a tech startup specialist, argues Alistair Marsden.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Birmingham

Is Birmingham the right place for starting your business? We explore the city's key lifestyle indicators and speak to firms who set up there.

Advice

Where to get support when starting a new business

There’s no need to go it alone – here are four places where you can get the support you need when starting up a new business

Setting up a company

Entrepreneur Q&A: Peter Hillary, co-founder of Edmund Hillary clothing

Edmund Hillary's son, Peter, tells us about recreating Edmund’s expedition gear in a new clothing line and keeping his father's legacy alive.

Setting up a company

Fewer than 1 in 10 small businesses set up because they spot market gap

Only 3pc of SMEs go into business because they want to be 'next big thing', says business lender Iwoca

Setting up a company

Entrepreneur Q&A: Peter Hillary, co-founder of Edmund Hillary clothing

Edmund Hillary's son, Peter, tells us about recreating Edmund’s expedition gear in a new clothing line and keeping his father's legacy alive.

Setting up a company

Fewer than 1 in 10 small businesses set up because they spot market gap

Only 3pc of SMEs go into business because they want to be 'next big thing', says business lender Iwoca

Setting up a company

How to choose a great name for your new business

Keith Tully of RBR Advisory shares a step-by-step guide to choosing and registering the name of your new business.

Advice

The essential guide to starting a business in Belfast

We're travelling over to the Emerald Isle to find out what it's like to launch a business in Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast.

Business Ideas & Planning

Social enterprise Q&A – Commonwealth table tennis medallist Colin Wilson

Colin Wilson talks about setting up his table tennis centre, Corby Smash, and shares his tips for launching your own social enterprise

Advice

Nearly half of co-founders buy their business partners out – survey

Most common reason for co-founders to split is disagreement over the company's direction, says new research.

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis

Investing in a franchise

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.

Partner content

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Business management

How to create good cashflow habits

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