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What support is available for my small business?

Our modern Industrial Strategy is helping to support small businesses and improve productivity across the country. Some of the help available to small businesses from funding to guidance and advice.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
Small Business

Access finance available to support small businesses

of up to 拢25,000 can give you a much-needed boost if you鈥檙e just starting out or looking to scale up. Or take a look at the for more finance options for smaller businesses.

If you are an entrepreneur or small business located in the North of England, the could provide the funding you need to help your business realise its potential.

Growing ideas

Innovate UK supports businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas through funding and research collaboration. Their also connects you to expertise, finance and markets to commercialise your innovation.

Attract investment and diverse talent

Venture capital schemes can help you raise money for your company. Our 4 schemes offer tax reliefs to investors, designed to help your business grow by attracting investment.

Start-up visas and Innovator visas make it easier for you to access international talent. Tech Nation offers a dedicated Tech Nation visa to bring international tech talent to the UK.

Get support and insight for your tech business

provides programmes to support UK tech businesses, as well as access to free online courses to build digital skills.

Tech Nation鈥檚 provides a detailed view of the UK鈥檚 digital economy and is a rich source of market intelligence and insight.

Become more competitive by making a few simple changes

provides practical tools and resources and can help small businesses across the UK supercharge productivity.

Get in touch with your local Growth Hub

can connect you to the right business advice and support at a local and national level, no matter what size or sector you鈥檙e operating in. This is available in England only.

Get advice on selling overseas

If you are a small business invested in or currently selling overseas visit for guidance on exporting, access live export opportunities, find an online marketplace to sell your products overseas and access the right finance and insurance to help you win vital international contracts.

Make tax more straightforward

We鈥檝e made some fundamental changes to the way the tax system works. If you are a VAT-registered business the Making Tax Digital service will help make sure you get your tax right through the keeping of digital records and using software to submit your VAT return.

Take on an apprentice

Grow your own skilled workforce you need by taking on an apprentice. You can get government funding to cover some of the cost of training and assessing an apprentice if you鈥檙e in England.

The government has recently launched a with details about how businesses can make the most of our apprenticeship reforms.

Apply for government contracts

Our Contracts Finder lets you search for information about government and agency contracts worth over 拢10,000 and explore information on previous tenders to understand what opportunities there might be for your business.

Contact the Small Business Commissioner

If you鈥檙e having any issues with not being paid on time, the can provide advice on late and unfair payment, to help you take action and work to resolve disputes.

Contact the Business Support Helpline

The free Business Support Helpline can also help you find the right advice and support at all stages of the business journey 鈥 whether you鈥檙e starting out, growing or looking to stay ahead. Find contact details for your area.

Business Representative Organisations (BROs) and UK Trade Associations

Business Representative Organisations are set up to help your business. Each sector has its own Organisation that you can search for online.

Prepare your business for EU exit

The UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019. Leaving the EU means your business may need to prepare for change.

You can find up to date to help you understand how leaving the EU may affect your business and what you can do to get ready.

Updates to this page

Published 2 November 2018
Last updated 6 June 2019 show all updates
  1. Details of tech offer to businesses.

  2. Updated advice.

  3. First published.