Banner image

Business Advice Manchester

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

Manchester home page

Manchester Business Category

Manchester Business Support

Business adviser giving advice

Businesses in Manchester 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 Manchester?

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

If you are based in in Manchester 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 Greater Manchester

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

Manchester Business Advisors

Manchester Science Park
The home of innovation and business support. For 25 years, Manchester Science Parks (msp) has been supporting the growth of innovative companies, across industries such as Digital Media, Biotechnology and ICT. msp Online brings msps unique support online, and accessible to all.
(+)
MMUs Business Incubator
Innospace is Manchester Metropolitan University???s business incubator for start-ups and new enterprises. We offer business support and mentoring, as well as a network of 120 businesses.
(+)
Business Growth Hub - Starting a Business
No matter where you access your finance from, be it the bank, start-up loans, crowdfunding or elsewhere, you must have a sound business plan and at least one year’s cash flow projection – which is where we can help. Your business idea doesn’t need to be original, but you have to offer something new. Whether filling a gap in the market, or building on an existing offering. Our service is designed to encourage and support entrepreneurs like you and growing businesses, to create prosperity and ultimately create jobs. Business Growth Hub, 90 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5JW
(+)
UK Research & Innovation
We invest in research and innovation to enrich lives, drive economic growth, and create jobs and high-quality public services across the UK. We are transforming tomorrow together.
(+)
Greater Manchester LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
The GM LEP sits at the heart of Greater Manchesters governance arrangements, ensuring that business leaders are empowered to set the strategic course, determine local priorities and drive growth and job creation within the city region. It is central to the wider partnerships established between local government, businesses and educational institutes, and the public, private, voluntary and community sectors.
(+)
Enterprising You
Supporting your self-employment journey Are you self-employed or running your own business and keen to grow? Not sure how to improve client retention? Know the basics but want to take your venture to the next level? Whatever you’re facing, whether financial issues, instability with work, health barriers or not knowing what step to take next; there is support available. EnterprisingYou is a government-funded programme specially designed to support self-employed individuals, including those who work in the gig economy and small business owners in Greater Manchester. You will discover your growth potential and ways to achieve your career goals through this programme. Apart from start-up owners and gig workers, we also support people who receive work from a company or an agency but are registered as self-employed or pay their own taxes. We can help you with free advice in different areas, from personal skills and career development to business finance and mentoring – we’ve got you covered. You’ve done the hard work setting up a business or taking that step into self-employment, now it’s time to go further, but it doesn’t have to be alone. Register below to find out how our programme could help you.
(+)
Department for Business & Trade
The Department for Business & Trade helps businesses export and grow into global markets. We also help overseas companies locate and grow in the UK. Our services are provided in over 100 markets throughout the world. We are passionate about what we do. Thats why we constantly review our services in light of customer feedback and the impact they offer, which means theyll vary from time to time.
(+)
John Grimes Consultancy
John Grimes Consultancy is a new type of business consultancy firm that has one very clear and firm objective: to enable people to establish their own businesses by allowing them to tap into a wealth of expertise in an instant and to supply valuable insight, information, knowledge, and expert support to entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SME) and top executives to help
(+)
Pre-start and start-up business support
This service is provided on behalf of Manchester City Council by Blue Orchid and is delivered in community centres, libraries and other local venues across North and South Manchester and Wythenshawe. It offers: Information about running your own business and the support that is available; Advice and guidance to prepare you for setting up your own business, on issues such as finance, marketing, health and safety, etc.; Support in the development of a business plan; Help during your first 12 months of trading.
(+)
MD2MD
MD2MD provides Leadership Development with a difference. MD2MD members build confidence and competence learning from and with other leaders with real university of life experience. MD2MD members cannot afford long periods out of the office so we meet for one day each month. In addition to being more manageable,this more effective in applying Kaizen (continuous improvement) principles to learning. Improving our business one step at a time month after month ultimately delivers radical performance improvement.
(+)
Invest in Manchester
MIDAS is the inward investment promotion agency for Manchester, with a strategic aim to secure significant levels of new investment for the city region to create and safeguard jobs. This is achieved through the global business marketing of Manchester key sectors and the provision of an extensive package of free advice and assistance for potential investors and location consultants. MIDAS has helped hundreds of businesses successfully relocate to or expand in Greater Manchester.
(+)
Prowess- Women in Business
Prowess is the online hub for women-friendly business support, inspiration and information. Our vision is an environment where women in business can flourish. Be inspired Prowess is full of stories and shared experiences from women who’ve made their own way in business. Everyone has a story to tell. And women who are thinking of starting a business – and those looking to grow – say there aren’t enough stories of real women in business out there. In our recent survey 43% said they wanted to read more experiences and case studies from ‘real’ women in business! Read them here, or submit your own here.
(+)
Manchester City Council - Starting a Business
Manchester City Council's website has a section dedicated to stating a new business ion the area. It includes pages about: What it means to run a business Helping you start a new business Business & intellectual property centre at central library Business events Business rates Trading standards Licensing 16-30 year olds: Try out your business idea Business premises Research and statistics Food hygiene & safety Health and safety Be prepared for an emergency Registering a business Grants for employing young people Can't find what you're looking for? How Brexit might impact your business
(+)
Blue Orchid
Greater Manchester Business Start-up and Support. Blue Orchid is one of the most knowledgeable and well-respected providers of business advice and support programmes in the UK. Established in 2001, we have a proven track record of delivering best in class start-up advice and business growth consultancy. Blue Orchid is recognised by government as innovative with our delivery programmes and are valued by the business community as entrepreneurial and driven to succeed.
(+)
Trafford Council
Trafford Council have a wide range of services at their disposal to help local businesses with all their support and development needs. Services are provided by various organisations, including Manchester Enterprises, Chamber Link and the Chamber of Commerce. Their Primary Partner is Business Support Solutions, part of Manchester Solutions.
(+)
University of Manchester Business School
Manchester Enterprise Centre (MEC). MECs business creation activities have successfully launched over 30 new companies in the last five years. MEC encourages the transfer of knowledge and technology to influence and advance economic development.
(+)
The Growth Company
An award-winning, accredited, social enterprise with a mission to enable growth, create jobs and improve lives. Their vision is for a society where economic growth and prosperity is inclusive, sustainable and leaves no person or community behind. Each service they deliver contributes to the achievement of our purpose and the delivery of their vision. In collaboration with our customers and stakeholders they deliver significant social and economic change whilst minimising the impact business has on the planet.
(+)
Blue Orchid
Starting a Business in Greater Manchester? Looking for support to help your existing business grow? Founded in the North West in 2001 Blue Orchid are now one of the UKs leading providers of FREE Business Advice and Support. Blue Orchid provides a range of start-up and business growth services. Our professional Business Advisors are here to help you with everything from developing an intelligent business plan through to attracting finance for growth.
(+)
Comply at Work Ltd
Based in Horwich (Bolton), Comply at Work Ltd, established in 2004, provides Health and Safety consultancy and training services to clients throughout the North West. We offer a tailored service to companies, designed to meet current legislation and best practice. Using a flexible approach at a competitive price, the business also has fully qualified and experienced personnel enabling clients to have the peace of mind that they are compliant, therefore reducing the risk of litigation, accidents and ill-health, leading to increased profit and making their organisation more desirable to do business with.
(+)
Get Results Ltd
Get Results Ltd provides business coaching, mentoring, training and advice for a range of businesses in the UK. Based in Macclesfield, Get Results Ltd is run by leading business mentor Mike Knudsen, who has over 20 years of experience working at director level across a number of multinational companies.
(+)
LifeWith Coaching
Business coaching for new and established businesses. Communication for Leaders is a 10 session coaching programme that covers the key issues in small and medium-sized businesses, including vision, goal-setting, SWOT, and team-building.
(+)

Local help for startups

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

Select classification: