Partners
Microsoft Small Business Centre
The Microsoft Small Business Centre offers technology hints and tips and product information, plus free resources, training and advice specifically aimed to help start-up and growing small businesses. Did you know you can get a website for free? Register with Office Live and you get a free website plus business email and online storage for collaborative working. Not sure what IT solutions you need to grow your business? Explore the site and learn more about software that can help you be more competitive. Whether you’re thinking of mobile working, hosted online services, or buying your first server, the Microsoft Small Business Centre can point you in the right direction.
We’ve also gone social! Want to keep up-to-date with the latest small business news, share your experiences or just read what other small businesses are up to? Subscribe to our news feed, small business blog and Tweet. Let us know what resources you’d like to see on the site and how we can help your business.
BT Business Insight is a unique free resource that provides small businesses in the UK with information and advice about how technology and services can help them succeed.
Whether you’re just starting up or are looking to expand your business, BT Business Insight contains the information you need on issues such as serving your customers, controlling costs, managing growth and flexible working. Each section contains a selection of business advice, with guides, tips, case studies and articles, plus regular web seminars and podcasts from experts and small businesses themselves.
Startups.co.uk is the leading online resource for anyone starting or running a business, offering everything from guides and advice, to inspirational entrepreneur profiles and success stories.
British Library Business & IP Centre
The British Library Business & IP Centre is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business.The Centre offers free access to the UK's most comprehensive collection of business and intellectual property information, including around 50 million patent specifications, unique databases on trade marks and registered designs, thousands of market research reports, company reports, trade journals, business directories and guides to legal information and government publications. British Library information experts are on hand to guide you to the resources. The Centre is free to use - all you need is a Reader Pass.
Forum of Private Business (FPB)
Founded in 1977, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is a member-led business support organisation for small and medium-sized firms in the UK.
Using the strength of the 25,000 businesses it represents – which in turn employ more than 600,000 people – the FPB has negotiated discounts on essential business services, from card processing to telecoms and utilities, which can save members thousands of pounds every year.
The FPB also lobbies decision-makers on behalf of its members, to level the playing field for the UK’s smaller firms. Current campaigns include late payment, overregulation and unfair competition.
Enterprise Nation is a free resource for anyone starting and growing a business from home. Join the site to enjoy lively features and meet other home businesses in the forums.
