Getting support with starting a business Becoming an entrepreneur

Support and funding up to £10,000 is available through The Open University’s Open Business Creators Fund. You can also develop your skills with learning resources throughout your entrepreneurial journey.

Contact open-business-creators@open.ac.uk for more information.

Being part of the Open Business Creators program has significantly enhanced our approach to establishing our business.

Tara Murphy, founder of ACT Student Support and OU student

Support from other organisations

There a variety of organisations that provide information on how to get funding and grants if you want to start a business in the UK. We've listed some of those here.

• Entrepreneurship Handbook

  The Entrepreneurship Handbook lists business grants and funding programmes in the UK.

• GOV.UK’s business finance support finder

  Gives extensive information on finance, grants, and support, plus advice on other methods of financing your business for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• UK Business Angels Association

  National trade association for the UK's business angel networks and the early-stage investment.

• Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs UK

  Leonard Cheshire and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation run an annual competition with £100,000 worth of prizes for disabled entrepreneurs.

• The Prince’s Trust

  Support for 18-30 year olds.

There is also Nation specific support and advice available.

England

• British Business Bank

  Government-owned business development bank dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses

• Wenta

  Free, independent business advice and training in England.

• The LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) Network

  Business led partnerships between local authorities and local private sector businesses.

Northern Ireland

• Enterprise Northern Ireland

  Support and advice to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

• NI BusinessInfo.co.uk

  Free service offered by Invest Northern Ireland.

• Go Succeed - NI Business Support

  Expert business advice from local councils.

Republic of Ireland

• Enterprise Ireland

  Support and advice to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

• Citizens Information

  Free and impartial information, advice and advocacy.

Scotland

• Business Gateway

  Tools, advice and training for starting or rebuilding your business.

Wales

• Business Wales

  Start up and business planning information and advice.

If you are living or planning to start a business outside of the UK, your country’s government website should provide specific support and funding opportunities.