Starting your own business?
With free support for entrepreneurs with big ideas, you’re in the best place possible if you want to start your own business – The Growth Hub provides fully funded personalised support for businesses at all stages of growth. Plus, with excellent higher education facilities, you’ve got everything you need to become the next big thing.
National Support
The Princes Trust
Support to start a business
If you’re aged 18–30 and are planning on starting your own business, the Prince’s Trust can help make your dreams a reality.
Visit the Princes Trust websiteNatWest Business Matters
Supporting your business goals
Learn how to get your business off the ground with practical tips and advice, helping you to plan, set up and make it through the first six months.
Visit the NatWest websiteIntellectual Property Enquiry Service – Gloucestershire Libraries
Ask Us Business and Patent Library Centre (PatLib)
Local access to patent, trade mark, designs and copyright information, to help businesses and individuals understand the different types of legal protection and how to apply to protect their intellectual property (IP) assets.
They also provide free company reports and targeted mailing lists for your marketing needs from their database Fame. Fame is a comprehensive business database and contains information on both public and private companies across the UK and Ireland.
More Information
The Start Up Donut
Start-up and SME resources
The Start Up Donut offers a broad range of resources for those considering starting their own business, with success stories, ideas and advice.
Visit the Start Up Donut website
Local Support
The Growth Hub
Local business support
The Growth Hub offers free help and advice for businesses of every size in Gloucestershire, and hosts a range of workshops and events.
Visit The Growth Hub websiteStart and Grow Enterprise
Free support for new businesses
Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur or are planning on starting a new business, Start and Grow Enterprise offers training, courses and advice.
Visit the Start and Grow Enterprise websiteLibrary Growth Hub Network
Free use of the Library Growth Hub Network
Growth Hub @ the Library provides an access point to free business support and resources.
Selected libraries have co-working spaces and business areas, whereas some simply have literature and guidance.
Visit the Gloucestershire Libraries website
Learning and Training
Adult Education in Gloucestershire
Training courses and workshops
Make sure you have all the skills you need to start your business with a range of courses, workshops and qualifications, provided by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC).
Visit the GCC websiteGloucestershire College
Business Hub
The GC Business Hub is dedicated to supporting local businesses with employee training and apprenticeship programmes.
Visit the Gloucestershire College websiteSouth Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Business studies
Learn the fundamentals of business with full, part and degree-level courses at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).
Visit the SGS websiteUniversity of Gloucestershire
School of Business
Boost practical, professional and personal skills with short courses, and get access to local talent.
Visit the UoG website