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Pre-start & early stage business advice

There are several agencies that provide business advice and support at this stage of your business.

If you would like some guidance on who is most appropriate you can call the Business Services team on 023 9284 1074 or email invest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Business Link in the South East

If you are thinking of starting a business, or have recently started one, Business Link can offer you a wide range of services to help you put your best foot forward in your new business.

• talk about your needs, aspirations and business ideas
• access useful guides and tools on the website - from advice on how to write a business plan to help with taking on your first employee
• find out what other free or subsidised help is available to you - from local events and skills training to advice about the regulations that apply to you
• get simple and effective introductions to sources of advice across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

For more information visit Business Link website or call 0845 600 9 006.  You can also read a case study from a satisfied customer attached below.

Creative Industries Business Advisory Service

CIBAS provides tailored one-to-one support, business advice and information for designers, artists, writers and performers looking to start-up or develop their self-employment or creative business. 

For more information, please call 023 9284 4444.

Enterprise First

Enterprise First is a not for profit company with sponsorship from the public and private sector.  They offer free support or help at a nominal cost.  Contact them to find out more about their business advisers and workshops.

Visit Enterprise First website or call 0845 458 7535.

Inbiz

If you are currently unemployed and thinking of starting up a business, this national support organisation will help you test and start-up.  The Portsmouth operation is based in Cosham and offers a 3 stage programme to help you set up your business.

For more information visit Inbiz website or call 023 9220 1072.

Mentor-net

Mentor-net is a business mentoring scheme for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is a confidential service provided by the not-for-profit Mentor-net programme and volunteer Business Mentors, who are drawn from experienced members of the business community and the professions.

For detailed information about this programme, please visit Mentor-net website.

Start Your Own Business

Start Your Own Business is a free guide to provide useful information to start ups in your area.  It is designed to encourage enterprise but also to highlight the importance of getting the right help and where this can be found locally.  A newspaper is published annually and a website provides links to local support.

Click on the Start Your Own Business website to find out more.

South East Hampshire Enterprise Gateway

If you're thinking about running a business or working for yourself the Enterprise Gateway helps people succeed.  Your Gateway Director can work with you, from the initial idea through every stage of the development of your business.  They provide:

• one-to-one mentoring
• guidance and signposting
• small peer support groups
• training for business development.

For more information visit Enterprise Gateway website or call 023 9284 6203.

Women's Wisdom

Women's Wisdom works specifically with women who are just thinking about what it would be like to run a business.  They offer training, networking or just a friend or buddy to support you whilst you start off.

Click on the Women's Wisdom website to find out more or call 0800 781 8597.

Associated documents:

  Business Link Case Study - Elite Care  (0.12 MB)
Business Link Case Study - The Jerk Pan Restaurant  (0.18 MB)

Useful links

Business Growth Tools
Company name and trade mark checker