Start up
Last updated: 15 February 2013 10:02 UK
Looking to start a business in Portsmouth?
Many businesses like Market Makers, Novatech and Wiggle have started and successfully grown in Portsmouth. You can make it here too and to help you can now apply for a Bridging the Gap start up grant of between £5,000 and £50,000.
Find out more here about this and the other advice and support available for starting a business in Portsmouth:
- Funding for start-ups
- Business Regulations
- Business premises for start-ups
- Market Stalls and Concessional Pitches
Business Advice
How we can help your business to start up
The Business Services and Development team delivers and signposts to a number of initiatives aimed at helping your business to start up. In addition to offering office space and industrial/workshop and storage units on flexible, monthly terms at our Portsmouth Enterprise Centres, we can also help you comply with locally administered business regulations i.e. building control, environmental health, licensing and planning. See the attached case studies as examples of what we can do.
There are several agencies that provide business advice and support at the onset and early stages of your business planning. If you would like to know more about available support please visit one of the websites listed below.
GOV.UK
GOV.UK specialises in helping businesses across the UK to establish, develop and grow. It also gives guidance on business plans, proper finance and the legal requirements that must be met when starting up a business.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
HMRC offers guidance on what you need to do for tax and National Insurance purposes when you start up a business as a self-employed person, a partnership or a limited company. You will also find links to additional help and support HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) offer new businesses.Creative Industries Business Advisory Service
Creative Industries Business Advisory Service CIBAS provides tailored one-to-one support, business advice and information for designers, artists, writers and performers looking to start-up or develop their self-employment or creative business.Enterprise First
Enterprise First is a not-for-profit company which assists clients seeking to start-up a new business or to develop an existing small business in Hampshire, Surrey and Kent. They offer free one-to-one sessions with a business advisor. They will guide you on business planning, look at the funds you have available, market research/competition and the challenges of being ready to start or grow your business.
Mentor-net
Mentor-net offers business support for small businesses through mentoring across the south of England. It is a confidential business support service provided by the not-for-profit Mentor-net programme and volunteer Business Mentors, who are drawn from experienced members of the business community and the professions.
Shaping the Future of Portsmouth
Shaping the Future of Portsmouth's Business and Enterprise work stream is dedicated to helping local businesses develop and offer a regular monthly event 'Meet the...' with subjects ranging from business planning, communications, marketing, human resources and legal advice, through to more specific topics such as retailing and advertising. To find out more about the forthcoming sessions, please email contactus@shapingportsmouth.co.uk.
Start Your Own Business
Start Your Own Business provides useful information to start ups in your area. It is designed to encourage enterprise but also to highlight the importance of getting the right help and where this can be found locally.
Women's Wisdom
Women's Wisdom works specifically with women who are just thinking about what it would be like to run a business. They offer training, networking or just a friend or buddy to support you whilst you start off.
Latest initiatives
Ready for Business
Enterprise First has announced its involvement in a new business start up programme that will create 6,000 new businesses and up to 10,000 jobs across the country. The Ready for Business programme will specifically target the transfer of public sector employment to the private sector. It will offer a package of support to help the transition from employment to business start up, including one to one advice, mentoring, access to financial support and business planning.
Associated documents:
Pie and Vinyl case study: helping you comply with regulations (0.13 MB)Other Start up Business Support
Funding for Start-UpsFederation of Small Business (FSB)
Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise
Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise - PRIME
Wessex Round Table of Inventors
