SureStart
How we help
Free workshops, one-to-one mentoring and practical guidance for people starting a business in the UK.
Workshops
Small-group workshops
Practical sessions, online and in person, covering the things every new business needs to get right. Groups are kept small so you can ask the questions you’d be embarrassed to ask elsewhere.
- Is my idea viable? Testing demand before you spend money
- Pricing, margins and simple cash-flow forecasting
- Sole trader or limited company? Registering with HMRC and Companies House
- Marketing on a tiny budget: social media, local networks and word of mouth
- Getting paid: invoicing, card payments and chasing late payers
- Your first year: tax returns, record keeping and staying legal
Mentoring
One-to-one mentoring
We match you with a volunteer mentor who has started and run a business themselves. You meet regularly, in person, by phone or by video call, for as long as you need in your first year.
Mentors don’t tell you what to do. They listen, ask the awkward questions, share what worked for them, and help you keep going when it gets hard.
Funding & set-up
Funding and getting set up
There is more help available than most people realise, but finding it and applying is a job in itself. We help you understand what you might be eligible for and put a strong application together.
- Government-backed Start Up Loans and how to apply
- Local council and Growth Hub grants
- Support if you’re on Universal Credit and want to become self-employed
- Business bank accounts, insurance and licences
- Free tools for bookkeeping, invoicing and websites
We give guidance only. We do not lend money, take equity or receive commission from any provider.
Eligibility
Who can use our services?
Our support is free and open to anyone in the UK who is thinking about starting a business or has been trading for less than two years.
We prioritise people who
- Are unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits
- Are returning to work after caring, illness or a career break
- Face barriers such as disability, language or a criminal record
- Are under 25 or over 50
- Live in an area with little local business support
You don’t need
- A business plan (we’ll write it together)
- Savings or investment
- Qualifications or previous business experience
- To have decided on a legal structure
- To be certain your idea will work
Ready to take the first step?
Tell us a little about your idea and we’ll get back to you to talk through what would help most.