Links
Business Link
Tel: 0845 600 9 006
Business Link is the first point of contact to help you with any business enquiry including legislation, premises, training, quality or management. Offer a range of services to help businesses whether you are trying to break into new markets, looking to export, seeking help with technology, starting up or expanding. As a broker of advice and support Business Link can link into the local network to find the type of help you need.
Women Into the Network
www.networkingwomen.co.uk
Tel: 0191 334 5502
WIN is a free networking organisation for entrepreneurial women across the North East. WIN links to many smaller networks across the region and provides information, PR opportunities, networking events and workshops. WIN aims to promote female role models by producing publications, providing the media contacts to local women with amazing stories, as well as running the acclaimed North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. WIN also provides links nationally and internationally to other women's networks and plays a role in influencing strategy at the highest levels through its work on various boards.
The Academy of Enterprise
www.academyofenterprise.org
A website resource for students, academics and business people alike.
Enterprise Insight
www.starttalkingideas.org
Make Your Mark - start talking ideas is a website dedicated to helping people make their ideas become a reality. Packed with stories, forums and nuts and bolts information, it aims to help young people plot their own journey - with everything from having and developing an idea to what you need to do to make it happen. Add your own story (and photos) about what you've done or plan to do and help inspire others to add theirs.
www.ne-bic.c.uk
The North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) represents a unique opportunity for innovative companies to develop and grow to their full potential. Finely tuned to the needs of small and expanding companies, the BIC offers a mix of modern, yet highly functional accommodation and is home to over 150 companies. Whether located at the BIC or elsewhere in the region businesses throughout the North East can enjoy the benefits of the BIC facilities, which include business development support and access to training.
The Northumberland Enterprise Fund is a grant and loan award scheme for Business Start-Up's in the county. The scheme is designed to encourage the establishment of new enterprises in Northumberland. The scheme is administered by Northumberland County Council and delivered through Business Link for Northumberland via its six Advice Centres situated throughout the county.
To be eligible, the new business must be situated in Northumberland, and the applicant must be aged 18 or over. Only applications submitted via a Business Link for Northumberland Advice Centre can be considered.
For further information, including full details of the terms and conditions of the scheme, please contact Ted Burnett or Matthew Lowe on 01670 534155 or email tburnett@northumberland.gov.uk
Enterprise Nation
www.enterprisenation.com
Tel:
01743 272555
Enterprise Nation is a free resource to help you start and grow your business at home. On our website, in our e-news and our podcast, you'll find all the information you need to get started and get growing. Register for free and join the UK's largest community of home businesses.
NStar
www.nstarfinance.com
Tel: 0191 211 2300
NStar was established by One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency, in 2003 to ensure that the capital and skills were in place to support the development of innovative companies in the NorthEast.
We believe that bringing together money, management skills and business experience is essential for the successful growth of early stage companies. We are using our commercial, financial and business skills to help create a dynamic and self-sustaining investment culture in North East England and to promote the north east as a dynamic place for innovative companies to do business.
Design Council
www.designcouncil.org.uk
Tel: 020 7420 5200
Helping businesses become more successful, public services more efficient and designers more effective.
We are the national strategic body for design.
We believe design can help people to do what they do, better. We're funded by the UK government, and we promote the use of design throughout the UK's businesses and public services. We demonstrate that design can play a vital role in strengthening our economy and improving our society.
We have a goal - to help UK managers become the best users of design in the world, supported by the most skilled and capable design professionals.
Entrepreneurs Forum
www.entrepreneursforum.net
Tel: 0870 8502233
The Entrepreneurs´ Forum was created by a group of the region´s leading business people. The idea was simple – to create a cross sector peer–group of like minded individuals who could share ideas, knowledge, inspiration and opportunities in a confidential environment. A non trading environment where real business is discussed and introductions are welcomed. Somewhere younger entrepreneurs can tap into the experience of those who have been there and done it – learning from their mistakes and soaking up invaluable business knowledge. A transfer of wisdom that supports growing businesses, nurtures emerging talent and helps to create the wealth, jobs and opportunities that are a major contribution to the sustainable transformation of our regional economy.
Startups.co.uk
www.startups.co.uk
Startups.co.uk is an online resource for starting a business. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur ready to start a business for the first time or you are an established entrepreneur looking to do it a second time, we have all the news and information you need to get your business starting on the right foot. Our extensive how-to guides explore all the myriad issues you may face when bringing your killer idea from your head onto the market. Across our many pages you will find need-to-know information. We also bring you the latest in business startup news, updating the site daily as stories break, as well as profiles of some of the country’s top business startups. The site also features a very popular forum where businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, loyal readers and casual visitors share their ideas on how to start a business. Our belief is that when you are starting a business, taking the risk and putting your time and money into something new that will change your life one way or another, you should have someone by your side.
Department of Trade & Industry
www.dti.gov.uk
If you are looking for good statistical information, this site has a section on small businesses..
Health & Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
Essential information on regulations with which businesses need to comply. Vital if you employ people, work in businesses like food, building or where tools or safety might be involved.
Companies House
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
Lists all companies and makes their accounts available for a fee. It also has a list of disqualified directors.
HM Revenue & Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
News and information on tax and insurance matters in the UK.
VAT - Customs & Excise
www.hmce.gov.uk
For information on VAT registration.
Aurora Women's Network
www.auroravoice.com
Support for women owned businesses.
British Chamber of Commerce
www.chamberonline.co.uk
Management support for all businesses through local Chambers of Commerce.
British Venture Capital Association
www.bvca.co.uk
Represents almost every major source of UK venture capital. Advises on how to go about getting venture capital and who to approach.
Federation of Small Business
www.fsb.org.uk
General help for small business through membership.
Foresight Knowledge Pool
www.foresight.gov.uk
Looks at possible future needs, opportunities and threats and builds bridges between business, science and government.
The Patent Office
www.patent.gov.uk
Offers an accessible service for granting intellectual property rights.
Princes Trust
www.princes-trust.org.uk
Details about getting inolved inthe scheme, which helps 14 - 30 year olds improve skills, confidence and ambition.
Shell LiveWIRE
www.shell-livewire.org
Information about a scheme which helps to develop the businesses of 16-30 year olds.
Women in Rural Enterprise
www.wireuk.org
Networking and busines club set up to help women in rural enterprise.