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.

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Zaffrin O’Sullivan, Five Dot Botanics

Zaffrin O’Sullivan wondered why so many makeup brands listed impenetrable artificial ingredients. Her answer was to create sustainable eco brand Five Dot Botanics.

Success stories

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Shane Lowe, Vitrue

Vitrue Health uses the camera technology developed for Hollywood blockbusters to help sports stars recover from injuries

Business Ideas & Planning

Start-up valuation – an investor guide to valuing a start-up

Matthew Cushen, co-founder at Worth Capital, explains the ins and outs, the art and not the science behind a realistic start-up valuation.

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Ed Bird, Bird Eyewear

Ed Bird wanted to create a sustainable fashion eyewear business with a social conscience. Entering The Start-Up Series competition helped him hone his vision

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Les Dawson, Uniblock

Les Dawson was facing an uphill battle trying to change the minds of Britain’s conservative housebuilders with his Uniblock building system. Until The Start-Up Series gave him the investment – and validation – he needed

Starting a Business

New company launches fell by a quarter between January and May

But company registrations bounced back in May, just 3% down year on year as entrepreneurs take the plunge

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Andy Roberts, Weekly10

Andy Roberts didn't know he'd launch an employee engagement platform when he began his career in financial services. He tells us how The Start-Up Series benefitted the business .

Startup Funding and Grants

7 funding choices when it comes to financing your start-up

You’ve got some inspirational market insight and created the killer idea for a business. You can see where the revenue will come from, and with a healthy margin. But what about the investment you’ll need to get it up and running?

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Andy Roberts, Weekly10

Andy Roberts didn't know he'd launch an employee engagement platform when he began his career in financial services. He tells us how The Start-Up Series benefitted the business .

Startup Funding and Grants

7 funding choices when it comes to financing your start-up

You’ve got some inspirational market insight and created the killer idea for a business. You can see where the revenue will come from, and with a healthy margin. But what about the investment you’ll need to get it up and running?

Success stories

What winning The Start-Up Series meant for me – Nick James, Bedfolk

Nick and Jo James, co-founders of online bedding company Bedfolk, sold their flat to fund their online bedding business. Here Nick talks about what difference winning the Start-Up Series has made and why getting into bed with Worth Capital was so important

Sole trader

IR35 freelance tax changes will go ahead in April 2021 – are you ready?

MPs vote through IR35 tax reform, bringing thousands of freelance contractors within PAYE for the first time

Advice

Top 10 tips for single parents who want to start their own business

Single parents start their new businesses with less money than most start-ups and they work longer hours. Joanna Morris shares 10 tips to make your single-mum (or dad) business a success

Advice

How to start a freelance career in the UK – a beginner’s guide

Freelancing expert Dave Chaplin explains how to set your freelance rate, the importance of tailoring your CV and where to find your next project.

Partner content

Attracting and keeping top talent through Total Reward

Employment benefits specialist, Drewberry, explain why you should base your benefits around a Total Reward Strategy

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Partner content

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance provides cover if somebody sues your business and they allege that your advice caused financial loss or damaged their brand. It’s not just for accountants and lawyers but for anyone offering a personal service, even web designers

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

We've teamed up with the Current Account Switch Service to explain the benefits of switching your business bank account.