Self-employment

Support for self-employed people and those interested in starting their own business.

England: national support

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

Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire

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

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Stanta.co.uk - Free business advice and training for micro businesses and offices to rent St Albans

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

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

Devon and Cornwall

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

East London

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

Essex

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

Kent

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

North London

MLB Learning Solutions – contact your Work Coach about this Introduction to Self Employment opportunity for people in North London

Cumbria and Lancashire

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

Durham and Tees Valley

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

Greater Manchester

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

North East Yorkshire and the Humber

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.

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

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

South Yorkshire

Advance - self-employment support

South Yorkshire MCA - business support

West Yorkshire

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.

Birmingham and Solihull

Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project - offers entrepreneurship support

Black Country

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

East Anglia

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

Leicestershire and Northamptonshire

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

Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland

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

Mercia

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

Staffordshire and Derbyshire

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

Scotland: national support

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

East Scotland

Cre8te – support and advice for starting a new business in East Edinburgh

North East Scotland

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

South West Scotland

E3 Hub – enterprise hubs in Lanarkshire that provide support for early business development

Wales: national support

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

North and Mid Wales

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

South East Wales

Encouraging Enterprise – contact your Work Coach about this enterprise advice service run by Merthyr Tydfil local authority