Business support
There are many organisations offering advice and support to entrepreneurs, inventors and businesses. Some are listed below. See also our list of organisations that support women's enterprise.
Useful organisations
The BioIndustry Association
The trade association for innovative enterprises in the UK's bioscience sector.
Black and minority ethnic business advice
Available from Business Link
Business Gateway
Scottish agency dedicated to business support, offering a range of online tools and advice that are useful UK-wide.
Business Link
Practical advice, information and events for businesses, with links to local Business Link operators.
Community Action Network (CAN)
Supports social entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses and maximise their impact.
Design Council
Helping businesses become more successful, public services more efficient and designers more effective.
Enterprise Education Trust
Empowers young people to realise their potential through business and enterprise.
Enterprise UK
A government organisation which aims to give people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising.
Flying Start
Helps graduates up to five years out of university to set up their own businesses.
Global Innovation Network
A social network dedicated to facilitating innovation and business development by bringing together businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, researchers and investors.
Ideas 21
Membership-based organisation offering events, information and advice on invention, innovation and intellectual property.
Institute of Patentees and Inventors
Membership organisation offering information, advice, and events on issues relating to invention and innovation.
j4bGrants
Find out about European grants, UK Government grants and other sources of funding for your business.
National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship
Works to increase the number of enterprising graduate businesses.
NetRegs
Provides free environmental guidance for small businesses in the UK.
Prime
National organisation dedicated to helping people aged over 50 set up their own business.
Shell LiveWIRE
Helps 16-30 year olds to start and develop their own business.
Social Enterprise Coalition
The UK portal for social enterprise information and resources.
Start up Webinars
Free on line seminars to help entrepreneurs start and build their business.
UK Intellectual Property Office
Official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property.
VentureNavigator
Free online support for businesses and entrepreneurs to help them think critically about their business plans.
YTKO
YTKO specialises in helping science and technology businesses take innovative products and services to market.
