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Business Advice Glasgow

Where to find business support organisations who help start-ups.

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Glasgow Business Support

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Businesses in Glasgow are more likely to succeed if they seek and act upon the advice of a professional business adviser. This page should point you in the right direction.

"You don't know, what you don't know" is a great saying and so applicable to starting a business. There are so many considerations in the early stages that taking advice from an experienced business adviser will dramatically increase your chances of success.

See list of local business support organisations below.

Can you help start-ups in Glasgow?

If so, your logo, company details and link to your site could be here!

If you are based in in Glasgow or offer a product or service which could help existing local businesses and start-ups, we would love you to help you reach them. Our aim is to increase the chances of every new business's success by highlighting the help that is available in the area.

You are able to add a free listing or act as our recommended local partner for only £10 per year!

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in Glasgow

Download the 2024 edition of our Free guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered with links to useful articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English and points to where you can find help and support.

More Information and instant download

Glasgow Business Advisors

Find Business Support in Scotland
We're here to help you find the business support you need. We have gathered together information and support for all company sizes and sectors across Scotland. What is FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot? This service was established to help Scottish businesses find the public sector support they need. Information is available for businesses of all sizes – from those thinking about starting a business to large, well established companies. This website is supported by an enquiries and referral service. You can contact us by submitting an enquiry or calling 0300 303 0660. Our lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Landline calls cost up to 10 pence per minute, mobile costs can vary from 3 pence per minute to 40 pence per minute depending on your operating provider (source: Gov.uk). Why was this website created? This site intends to help Scottish businesses find the right information, advice and support at the right time. We will continue to add information and develop FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot and the referral service. We aim to provide all businesses with quick and easy access to all business support services provided by public sector organisations in Scotland. Who runs FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot? This is a partnership service. It started as a collaboration between Business Gateway, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland. We will eventually include all organisations who receive public funding in Scotland. We currently include services from the following partners.
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The essential guide to starting a business in Glasgow
Glasgow has a lot to offer start-up business owners and it's becoming an increasingly popular area to live in, too. Small Business have written an article to explain why you should consider it. Small Business provide advice on how to start your own business, with guides to help you plan, develop and finance a start-up company, plus recommendations on registering the business, its legal structure and finding financial backing for growth. Whether you are just beginning or have already taken the first steps and want to keep everything on track, our expert articles will give you the knowledge to help lead you to success, whilst maintaining a good work-life balance.
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The National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland is one of a number of organisations that are here to help you with your business. We can: Guide you through the COBRA resource. COBRA stands for Complete Business Reference Advisor, and it is an excellent way to find out the basics about running a business. You can even use this resource at home if you register with us, which is free to do and just takes a few minutes Introduce you to our other business information resources and explain what each one can offer, from company data and market size, to market research and trends analysis Guide you towards a very large collection of books and articles all about running a business, marketing and management, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Get in touch by emailing enquiries@nls.uk to find out more.
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Invest Glasgow
Glasgow is the powerhouse of the Scottish economy – the cultural, sporting and academic heart of Scotland and one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. The city has everything your business needs to succeed: a competitive advantage with multi-sectoral expertise a robust pipeline of talent world-class, cost-effective office space mature investment proposition for corporate and global real estate excellent infrastructure and digital connectivity strong links throughout the UK and Europe Glasgow has one of the largest city economies in the UK and is firmly established as a world-class business destination. Scotland’s largest city and only metropolitan region, it generated £42.9 billion GVA in 2018. Noted for business friendliness, human capital and lifestyle, and connectivity, Glasgow was named top large European city for FDI Strategy (fDi Intelligence 2020/21). Invest Glasgow is Glasgow City Council’s inward investment team. Invest Glasgow offers comprehensive business support and guidance, providing one point of contact to all businesses, property investors and developers seeking to invest. Invest Glasgow Development & Regeneration Services Glasgow City Council 231 George Street Glasgow G1 1RX
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Glasgow City Council
Glasgow is absolutely committed to fostering an innovative environment that is supportive of SMEs and entrepreneurs from start-up, through growth to sustainable consolidation, supporting local communities and ensuring jobs are created and safeguarded. With a team of dedicated and skilled business advisers, our service can help your business grow regardless of its stage on the business life-cycle and develop in line with your strategic vision and aspirations.
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Why start your business in the Mitchell Library?
Starting a business is exciting, but the process can be challenging. The Centre has lots of resources to help you get started – from researching your business idea to launch. For an overview of our resources come to our ‘Resources for Business Start-Up’ workshop or contact us to book a 1:1 with our expert staff.
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Glasgow Business Gateway
Business Gateway is based in Exchange House, close to George Square in the city centre. We're here to provide advice and support to people who want to start a business in Glasgow - and to help existing businesses grow and be more successful. There are many ways we can help you, even if starting up still seems a way off. Our website is a great place to begin: we offer a business plan guide to download when you’re ready, market reports as well as handy online guides and articles, video tutorials and podcasts. Take part in our webinars to hone your start-up skills – from how to handle the legal requirements to getting your market research right. Plus use our Planning to Start tool to guide you through the essential steps of starting up. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and then we can then use the details you give us to create your action plan, complete with links to relevant information and support. We’ll also recommend free webinars to help you hone your skills and may refer you to relevant support from our partners. A business adviser from your local office will also get in touch to see how else we can help at this stage and signpost you to a wide range of other support across Scotland. With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined. Exchange House 231 George Street Glasgow G1 1RX 0141 530 4285 Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00
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Scottish Development International
When setting up a business in Scotland, you need to register as a private limited company or a UK branch of your foreign company. Find the professional advice you need around taxes, legal and insurance requirements in Scotland.
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Starting a business: first steps
myscot.gov has a section dedicated to starting a business which talks you through the first steps, stage by stage.
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mygov.scot - Starting a Business
Information on business planning, registering a company and starting a new business. Setting up - Find information on setting up a business in Scotland. Tax and registering - Find information about registering your business with HM Revenue & Customs and Companies House. Marketing your business - Information on marketing and sales for your business. Intellectual property - Find out what intellectual property is and how to protect it in the UK and abroad. Further help to start a business - Information on organisations or services that can help you start a business or help your staff learn new skills.
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Help Starting a Business in Scotland
Everyone needs a bit of help starting a business. Even the Skyscanners and FanDuels of this world got some support on their way. Thankfully there is a wealth of support organisations in Scotland providing help and advice to entrepreneurs and business founders. TalentSpark look at some of the major players in the startup ecosystem and consider the services and programmes they provide. People are vital to the success of any business. TalentSpark was created to bring together the right people at the right time to support small businesses in Scotland grow.
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Elevator
We believe anyone looking to start or grow a business should have access to support. At the heart of Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we can support you. Working across Scotland, our belief is that anyone looking to start or grow a business should have access to all the support they need to make it a success.
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Why Companies Choose Scotland
Companies from all around the globe have chosen Scotland as their new home because of the incredible opportunities on offer. Find out first-hand from them why they chose Scotland, and why you should too. To help achieve new successes for Scotland, the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International (the international arm of Scottish Enterprise) and Universities Scotland have come together to form Brand Scotland - an exciting new identity for Scotland. Through the Scotland is Now campaign, the Brand Scotland team will tell the authentic story of Scotland as a bold and positive country, rich in history and heritage but forging forward in a way that is progressive, pioneering and inclusive. We’re waking the world up to the fact that Scotland is a country that is challenging new thinking, inviting new investment, creating new opportunities, supporting new industry and driving technology that embraces humanity around the globe. Please join us and get involved.
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Young Enterprise Scotland
Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) is a registered charity that has been working to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise in Scotland for over 25 years. YES is a licensee of Young Enterprise (YE) and the YES history is proudly linked with Junior Achievement Worldwide with YES achieving independent Scottish Charity status in 1992. Our Vision is for Scotland to be a place where all young people are given the opportunity to have a rewarding future in work and life - no matter where they start their journey. Our Mission is to inspire & equip all young people to learn, develop and reach their full potential through enterprise.
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Business Glasgow
Business Glasgow offers a range of support to businesses across the life-cycle from pre-start pre-revenue through to mature companies that are contributing to the economic wealth of the city. We recognise the challenges faced and will continue to develop a range of support to assist businesses in Glasgow. Glasgow Business Growth Programme For Glasgow City Council’s new Glasgow Business Growth Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Scotland’s European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programmes and will be delivered by the Business Growth team within Economic Development. The aim of the programme is to create a truly connected and collaborative network of specialist support and expertise by bringing together the public, private, education and third sectors to develop and deliver an unrivalled level of support in the UK, one that has the sole objective of growing the city economy in a fair and inclusive way. There is also a range of Business Accelerator Programmes that combine traditional teaching methodologies with guidance and mentorship, meaning businesses can grow at an accelerated rate. Starting a business can be a challenge. Whether it’s writing a business plan, understanding and accessing finance or establishing how to market and sell products or services, our advice and support can help. Through dedicated workshops and the Business Gateway service, our Business Advisers can help. Read our case study on Legacy, a start-up business from Glasgow who with the support of Business Adviser Mark Houston, are on the road to success. Find out more about how we can support you to start a business. Business Glasgow, 231 George Street, Glasgow. G1 1RX.
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Starting a Small Business in Scotland
The steps it takes to become a small business owner in Scotland Before you get into business, there are a few important things to know about starting a small business in Scotland: Is starting a small business in Scotland right for you? Do you have the tools and the resources to start your small business? Do you have the funding your small business in Scotland will need? What are the next steps to help you startup? Do you need help getting your business started? As a small business entrepreneur you have a lot of step to go though. UK Startups is here to help you each step of the way. Not only do we guide you step by step, but we help you startup, assist you with your business plan, help you find funding programmes that can get you funding for your Scotland business. And more.
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Scotland - Support and Funding
If youre considering doing business with Scotland or youre thinking about expanding your company in a new location, Scottish Development International (SDI) is here to help. SDI is the international arm of Scotlands enterprise agencies. Our network of global offices is staffed by industry experts dedicated to helping you make the most of all the opportunities Scotland has to offer.
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Business Gateway
Starting a business - you may be planning to start a business or perhaps you’ve already begun. Find advice on the essentials, from writing a business plan to intellectual property on the Business Gateway website. It has a section dedicated to business start-up and this includes the opportunity to download your business plan template and guidance on: starting up a business, business support and advice, forming a company or business, intellectual property, naming a business, buying a business or franchise, Create business plan.
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Scottish Enterprise - Starting a Business?
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's national economic development agency and a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. To deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy, we work with partners in the public and private sectors to find and exploit the best opportunities. We support thousands of companies the length and breadth of Scotland, helping catalyse the changes in our economy that will have a long-term positive impact on Scotland's business competitiveness around the world. In doing so, we're creating significantly more, better jobs, helping people fulfil their potential. Starting a business? It can be both exhilarating and challenging getting your business off the ground. Having the confidence to take that next step is often all that’s needed. Access funding, a free business plan template, and guidance on legal requirements.
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Aberdeen Guarantees
Elevator is one of Scotland’s leading social enterprises dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and high growth businesses. Elevator works across Aberdeen City and Shire and Tayside to help facilitate the start-up and growth of new and existing businesses. Team Elevator currently engages with over 3,500 start-up businesses and assists around 1,800 organisations to grow annually with advisory support. With the launch of its Centre for Entrepreneurship in Bridge of Don, Elevator aims to support an additional 200 start-ups per year through stimulating interests in launching and growing businesses, as well as welcoming global talent onto the Elevator Accelerator Programme accelerating businesses. Elevator will launch a second Centre for Entrepreneurship with Accelerator Programme in Dundee in late 2016. Elevator supports the entrepreneurs, business leaders and employees of today and tomorrow by providing expert business advice, teaching entrepreneurship and enterprising behaviour.
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Help for Start-Ups - Business Gateway
If you run a start-up business as an entrepreneur, there is a variety of help for start-ups available, and there may be extra support you can access if you come under certain categories. Much of this help takes the form of mentoring and networking - but you should also be able to access targeted advice, support and even apply for loans and grants. This guide will help explain about the sources of funding that might be available to you and where to get help, advice and training.
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Marchburn Business Solutions Ltd
Practical, customer-driven and delivery oriented business support for small businesses in Ayrshire and beyond. Marchburn can offer a wide range of business support services including project management, project planning, business continuity planning, succession planning as well as documentation services including technical writing, bid writing and web content writing. Our wealth of experience in managing business operations means we can offer you a one-stop-shop helping hand when your business needs it - and without the headache of hiring staff.
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Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Glasgow but where can it be found?

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