Starting a business

You may be planning to start a business or perhaps you’ve already begun. Find advice on the essentials, from writing a business plan to intellectual property.

In this section

  1. Get started
  2. Identify the best approach
  3. Develop your business idea
  4. Prepare a business plan
  5. Set up and name your business
  6. Protect your ideas
  7. Find business support and advice

Identify the best approach

Guide

Franchising

9 min read

Guide

Buy an existing business in the UK

9 min read

Guide

Starting a part-time business

4 min read

Guide

Starting a high-growth business

2 min read

Guide

Start a business from home

8 min read

Guide

Starting a social enterprise

2 min read

Guide

Starting a business as a non-UK national

2 min read

Guide

Family-run businesses

7 min read

Develop your business idea

Guide

Quick ways to test your business idea is viable

6 min read

Article

Free business research and market reports

2 min read

Guide

Developing new products and services

9 min read

Protect your ideas

Guide

Protecting your intellectual property

5 min read

Guide

Non-disclosure agreements

6 min read

Find business support and advice

Guide

Top tips for networking

5 min read

Guide

Help for start-ups

4 min read

Last updated: 04/11/2025